The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-11-04
AN FRESHMAN TO IRIshMEN.
Americas Object Lesson on Protection
to the World.

| Americas Object Lesson on Protection
to the World.
To the Editor of the Eagle.
For the last thirty years under the
benefcent system of protection, the
United States of America has given an
object lesson to the world. Labor, the
source CT all wealth has been rewarded
here in this favored land in much great
Ell degree than in any other country.
Had we pursued different course under
tariff for revenue only" we would be
unable to provide homes not only for the
half million of foreigners who come
yearly to our shores, but even for our
own people. We have secured the
American market for the workmen of
America, and although the American
workman receives from fifty to four
hundred per cent more of the profits of
American ingenuity we have succeeded
in lowering the price of nearly all articles
that were formerly produced by our for
elgn competitors. Ireland, the land
where my first sigh was given emerged
from the depths of poverty and wretch
edness during that brilliant period when
her people enjoyed protection and home
rule.
In 1882 when an Irish parliament as
senbled in college green, the collective
wisdom Of Ireland, led by Grattan enacted
at its first session a protective policy that
was nearly prohibitory. Duties were
placed on all foreign-made goods that
could be made in Ireland. In a few
wears, under the stimulus of protection,
manufacturing industries arose through
out the length and breadth of the island
as if bv magic. Protection in Ireland,
as well as in America, was the fruitful
mother of diversified industries. The
people were no longer confined to the
land, for the use of which landlords
charged d ruinous rack-rent. In the
city of Dublin alone $4,000 men were
employed in tie cotton industry; 5000
silk looms were operated in the same
city; The serge manufacturers employed
/, 49t operatives. Not only was Dublin
busy hive, but prosperity, brought
about by protective tariff, was visible
in every hamlet in that land, for which
God has done SO much and her rulers SO
little. Balbriggan had 1000 looms in
operation; Bandons camlet trade
amount yearly to 100000; Rathdrum,
Kilkenny, Carrick OH SUR, and
everv town in Ireland, was
mechanical center, from which radiated
the effulgent beams of prosperity and
happiness. This state of things continu-
ed for eighteen years, or Just as long as
a protective tariff was allowed to keep
the Irish market from the Irish work
men. Lord Clare thus describes the
benefit. protective tariff brought TO
that i'll fated land.
No nation on the habitable globe adj
vanced in cultivation. commerce and
manufactures with the same rapidity as
Ireland from 1882 10 1900. The popula-
ton increased from :, G00, o09 to 5000. 00a.
In 1890 when the act OK union was effect
ed bv shameless bribery, protection TO
home industries received its death blow.
English politicians then. like Democratic
politicians now, told us TO give up our
own markets ard IN return the markets
of the world would compensate MS IN a
degree unheard of heretofore. The I'M
bought intelligence OF Ireland refused 10
believe in free trade. bU: the barriers of
protection were removed by force and
fraud. Then came the English CONNER
cial agent. I'VE call HIM a drummer
here with his samples which he was
empowered TO sell below cost,
and 10 continue uaierselling the Irish
manufacturer. until ne would be forced
to SUSPEND operations This heartless
competition fercel tine IRISH Inanufac-
turer 70 reduce lie wages Of his work
men. and shea ensured an era of strikes,
resistance "a law and order. and entnIiy
between employers and employed. In
the industrial contest between the rici
English manufactured and his struggling