The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1891-02-05
Free Trade SeIfishness.

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The theory of free trade has very
aptly been pronounced " science
based on assumptions. The cor
rectness of this diagnosis finds con-
firmation in the nervousness Of the
average free trade advocate when
confronted by the cold facts Of his
tory and business experience.
No country has ever succeeded in
attaining national prominence in the
absence Of a rigid regard for the
defense Of those industries rendered
practicable by reason of natural re-
sources and the ability of its people
to make and keep themselves in
most part independent of business
rivals III other countries
England is at once the inspiration
of free trade evangelism in the
United States and the model to
which free trade attorneys invariably
point as their ideal Of economic
government. Yet, within recolect-
ion Of men now living, when modify
ing it's policy, the-British Parliament
repealed code Of laws, certain pro-
visions of which would make the
protective features Of our present
tariff seem the extreme Of conserva-
tism. It was not until after three
centuries Of Protection, and when
confronted with the fact that British
acres could not longer meet the de
mand for bread and meat for British
tables, that Parliment ventured to
repeal the Corn Laws and to remove
the barriers Of defense from about
those products Of manufacture that
rigid Protection had brought to
then unparalleled perfection.
This chapter of British history,
though 50 rigidly excluded from
the speeches Of those who are
seeking to anglicize the policy
of this country. and given no place
in the pages Of literature with which
the Golden Club so literally supplies
its American allies, is none the less
one that the patriotic student of the
situation cannot afford to ignore.
Nor should he fail to recall the fact
that the policy of protecting her in
dustries so long as Protection seems
essential to supremacy, is one that
Great Britain has never altogether
abandoned. Every important line
Of steamships owned by British cap
ital and run from British ports is de-
Tended against damaging competi-
ton by subventions that constitute
guaranty Of interest upon necessary
investments, and British consuls are
quite generally under instructions to
act as agents Of such lines if their
services are required
Another form of British protect
ion is now claiming attention of our
Cabinet and Minister to England.
Representatives Of the Department
of Agriculture have for some months
been in England under instructions
to minimize the expense and embar-
easements heaped up against .Ameri-
can live stock under an assumed fear
OF contagious diseases, but in reality
to allay the restiessness of British
farmers and stock raisers over Am
erican competition.
Great Britain has ever been
prompt to handicap foreign compe-
tition when its freedom was likely to
operate the pecuniary disadvant-
age Of her subjects. The pressure
for free trade with this country is no
exception to this rule of national
selfishness, and will<be reserved as
readily as the change from Protect
ion was made whenever the eXigen-
cies Of British interests seem to re
quire such a step.