The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1892-09-17
The TimeS-MOuntaineer
SEPTEMBER IL, 1892
sELFIsHNEss.

SELFISHNESS.
The selfishness of patriotism and
protection, in that both looks to the
welfare of this country in preference
to that of foreign one, We advocated
IN an article last week, and to this the
East Oregomian replies:
"The TIMES. MouNTA1NEER is frank,
to say the least. 1t had just as well
have said: IF we can get up-a sys-
tenn of robbery by which Americans
can prosper at the expense of foreign
ers we had better do it The policy
of bettering our condition at the ex-
pense of others comes back to US in
the end. 1t is an ignorant policy be-
cause it only confers temporary bene-
fits; it is destructive policy because
its aim is to take ard not make. In
short, it is policy of animals rather
than of human beings. If we believed
as the TINES -MoUNTAINEER processes
to believe, we would vote the Repub-
lican ticket, stand up for protection,
work to rob Others for our benefit, and
in every way profit at others expense,
, too. We would sail forth upon the
highway and slay and rob to our
hearts content, firmly impressed with
the belief that the motto of true pat
riots should be the greater good for US
(our own people,, however contracted
or selfish it may appear We do not
believe that at heart the TINES Noun
TAINEEU entertains any such beliefs,
but speaks thus for the sake of con-
sistency. We congratulate it upon its
frankness. It's own argument COM
pletely demolishes the structure which
it attempts to erect on such insecure
and erroneous foundations.
Our cotemporary, in order to make
an attempt at argument, takes the re-
suit Of the extreme of the doctrine of
protection regarding nations and indl-
viduals, and this is unfair. We can
not consider Great Britain "robber"
nation because she protected her in
dustries from 100 to 1916, or the
United States because she followed
the same policy during the most sue,
cessful periods of her history from
1879 to 1892. Them iividual case of
sailing" forth upon the highway and
Staying and robbing to the hearts con-
tent is simply ridiculous. and would
never be countenanced by either pro-
tectionist or free-trader. But to show
how this peculiar sort of sophistrY
would work in the opposite policy, let
us apply it to the nation and individ-
ual. The gates of Castle Garden
should be open to all nations-Chi-
nese Hungarlans, Italians-and these
should enjoy equal privileges with ma
i've citizens. All naturalization laws
should be repealed, and there should
be no selfish privileges granted to citi-
,ens over those of foreigners. The
statesman or patriot should not con-
Iider the welfare of his country para
mount to that of other nations, aud
Ihould neither exercise his powers of
Intellect or venture his life for its ben
fit or its supremacy. All distinctive
eglslation should be expunged from
'ur statute book, and the elective
should be in the hands of
White, black or copper-colored. How
ong a NATHAN would exist under such
we will leave our un-
elfish brother to decide.
If the extreme of individual protec-
ion would lead to robbery and mur-
Ter, the extreme of individual free
rade would lead to unboupded Ii
ense-no protection to home or fam
y by its members, and chaotic con-
usion of lust and avarice which is too
icious to be depicted in print. In
his case, if the virtuous would band to-
ether to protect themselves, 80, in the :
ther, where law afforded no protec-
ion against unwarranted assault, as
as frequently been known in isolated
where laws could not be
nforced.
These extremes would be very de- h
lorable, but that of free-.rade would :.
ave society in worse condition than -
lat of protection. The sensible mean =
the one to be discussed, for the ex- :,
Cn0 wall AOVOI O0 ICouLCu Au tuio n,
'untry. If our cotemporary is kind y
,ough to consider us frank in our :,
We will exercise equal gen. =,
oslty in saying that the editor of the ;;
asst Oregoniars is patriot, and thinks !.
ore of the United States than any
her country, and does more for the
,neit of Pendleton than of other W
ties. In this he is selfish, and his il
lfishness is commendable. However e,
uch he may veneer it over he is a Il
fish protectionist regarding his fam h
?, home and country. because he is a o,
,od citizen and honest man. ii
The cheering intelligence is re- CT
ived that the Specifications for the rs
ork to be let by contract for the lii
mpletion of the Cascade locks and st
mol oroporod hv Mo;o. ua,Jh, | G,