Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1891-04-17
A HEAVY INDICTMENT.


French Opinion of Protcction-The
Many robbed for the Few,
The high tariff agitation in France is
calling forth such an opposition to pro-
lection rs would not have been possible
If the government had not been led away
| by our Mckinleyism in the direction of
higher taxation. An evidence Of the
opposition called forth by the French
McKinleyism may be seen in a new
magazine lie Monde Economique. which
has been recently established in Paris
This journal is rcsolutely opposed to the
whole system Of protection.
In "A recent number of it VI. Paul Bean
regard draws such "a true and heavy in
dictnent against protection that it can
be read with profit in our own land
| The writer says:
We hold it rs self evident that every
protective measure is unjust, because
such system has for its object the en-
| richment Of small number of individ-
uals at the expense of the others. When
"A duty is imposed upon wheat and meat
| the farmers may dispense with the i'm
| provenent OF their processes of culture,
but consumers are obliged to pay more
dearly for their food This, therefore, is
10 take out of the pocket, of all the profit
WHICH Ia given 10 the few. 1tere is no
process of reasoning which can show
that this is not unjust.
Now, if this is the case with every
restrictive tariff measure, what is 10 be
thought when these protectionist claims
reach The degree Of extravaganza which
We see today 50 long as the protected
glasses were mo- yet masters of the situa-
ton they simply pleaded that the state
should let them live. They could not
continue, they sail, with their own re-
sources-they must be- helped. Would
II not be an advantage 10 France 10 have
within her borders complete cycle of
production, and not bee tributary 10 any
nation for its supplies; Ii the sacrifice
was burden, at least patriotism i'm
posed 1t!
What do we see tolayy The same
party, believing itself secure of a major
ity, has lost all moderation. Petition
gives place To threats. which are speed
lily carried into execution. There is no
longer question OF living at the expen.e
Of others, but OF suppre,sing them and
getting rid entirely Of their competition.
Dcps1rabic enough IN itself, the protec-
Zionist reaction serves StIll further rs the
occasion, as the prcteNt. for struggles IN
which the strongest destroy the weakest.
Such are the civil wars, which promote
private vengeance.
What, we ask, must he the effect Of
such a spectacle upon public morality
Is it right that tine state should become
the distributor of fortunes 10 some az
the expense of otharss Do the protec-
tiouists reject that by the side Of the
manufacturers and capitalists enriched
or ruined there viii be thousands of
workmen. here plunged in misery, there
the witnesses of or the sharers in sud
den and unjust PROSPERITY?
From such "A spectacle they will con-
Clude that the state can do everything,
that everything that il DEGREES is legiu-
mate, that it is easy and right for it to
secure the welfare of it, favorites by
drawing, whenever needed, upon the
purse Of others, and, arguing from their
number. from their wants. from their
precarious situations they will demand
20 be those fivoritcs.
This Is the open path to socialism, |
state socialism first and socialism unlim-
tied afterwari. Being accustomed to a
moderate protective tariff, many have not !
been able To see TINS truth during the |
past thirty years, but now it is becom- |
ing rs clear rs daylight. The socialists |
have never been deceived in the matter. |
They have always pointed 10 protection |
as u practical application of their own |
theories, but an unjust one, as it operates
for the advantage Of the rich.