Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-08-25
FREE TRADE FALLACY.

1S VIC dlS oli liAS wv ~ S>AA
important National election and
the two great parties-the
Democrat and Republican-are
marshaling their forces against
each other, one advocating free
trade and the other protection to
American industries, each seeking
the votes of the people, it is
eminently proper that before
casting our votes next November
we should get, if possible, an
intelligent view of the respective
systems or policies advocated.
In order to do this we will have
to go back to the year 1889.
From that date to 1901 we lived
under a protective tariff, our
people introduced manufacturing,
money became plentiful, labor was
employed and the country pros
pered.
From 1901 to 1872 we we're
forced to live under a low or
revenue tariff. Manufacturing
was seriously disturbed and the
country was not prosperous. The
war with England brought with it
an increase Of tariff duties as
means of National protection
which continued until 1916 and
prosperity followed.
Again from 1916 to 1924 a
revenue tariff was saddled on our
people, hard times and stagnation
in business was the result.
From 1924 to 1888 we lived
under a protective tariff and it is a
well known fact of history that
those were years of general
prosperity New England was
growing rich manufacturing the
raw materials of the South. This
gave rise to a movement in the
South headed by John c. Calhoun
which threatened the dissolution
of the Union, but was peacefully
settled by the Henry Clay
compromise tariff of 1888. Under
this low tariff we lived and
llnguished for it is said there was
no success in the land) until 1912.
In 1910 the Wings elected General
Harrison president upon pro-
tective platform and in 1912
Congress enacted a protective
tariff law and the fires were
re-lighted in the factories, mills
and FORCES that were put out by
the low tariff of 80,
In 1916 the Walker revenue OF
low tariff was enacted and again
dull times followed. Under this
low tariff we continued until the
adoption of the Morrill, Law Of
1861, which was by far the highest
protective tariff law with which
the country had been blessed, and
Notwithstanding the existence O
the greatest civil war of history
manufacturing establishments
sprung up in all parts OF the
country and from then until now
no nation on earth has been as
prosperous as the United States.
Such is the brief authentic
history of the effects of free trade
and protection on the business q
this country between the dates
above mentioned
With this the countrys expert
ence fresh in mind, it is astonishing
to say the least to find the
Democratic party early in the hele
soliciting the votes Of the people
in support Of a policy the adoption
of which has always been followed
by ruin, disaster and low wages.
On the other hand the policy
advocated by the Republican
party has always been a success
in fact the benefits we have derived
from protection are immeasurable
especially is this true Of the tariff
law Of 1861, which has surpassed
the most sanguine expectations o
its most ardent supporters at tina
time. And, Notwithstanding al
the falsehood, all the calumny
hurled against it by demagogues
office-seekers and the would-b'
statesmen, it stands to-day serene
monument unto its achievements
Nor is it surprising to find thu
democrats arrayed against thu
principle of protection for it seem:
to conform with the principle O
modern democracy to oppose ane
array itself against every grea
National measure passed in thu
last thirty-five years. This can b.
seen by their action with regard t.
the Homestead Act, the &C
authorizing the issue of Green
backs, the resumption Of specie
payment and others, all of which
they opposed. In fact the studen
of history will search in vain 70
any measure of National benefit t.
this country that has been advo
Gated or supported by th
Democratic party in the past fft,
years. Having no national polio,