Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-11-19
profeciinn and Free Trnde.

- the Editor or the Dispatch.
What constitutes, respectively. a PRO
,ctlonist" and a "Free-Trader' | VEN
IRE the following answer: \ "Protec-
ionist' Is one who maintains the doc
rine OF both the right and duty OF his
oyernment to levy a tax on imports
18th the avowed purpose Of protecting
iome industries as against cheaper man
fractures OF foreign governments.
He would yet be q Protectionist II it
vas clearly demonstrated that the reve-
rue necessities of his government did
rot require the levy OF the least tariff
uty. There may be differences Of opin-
on on the part OF Protectionists as to
The tariff schedules. but such diverse
opinions render them none the less Pro-
tectionists.
4 "Free-Trader" Is one who believes
hat commerce between nations should
be entirely free and unobstructed by
custom duties. except to the extent the
revenue necessities of the government
require such levy. This view entirely
eliminates the doctrine Of protection.
Therefore, he who favors a tariff for
revenue only is manifestly Il Free-TradeI
no less than he who favOrs anything
more than this Is certainly a Protection
list. There is no use In splitting hairs
about this matter nor beating about the
bush" when we come to consider the
different factions. each of which must
logically be concluded as belonging tC
one or the other of these diametrically
opposed schools OF thought. The Incl
dental ProtectioniSt" is simply a Protec'
ZIONIST hedgling. If he favCrs tariff
for revenue and the incidental protec
ton" II will afford, this conjunction
l. IF no nrinciplf
Of protection. II / am asked, Is 1t moi
true one may be opposed to more tariff
duties than the revenue necessities de
mand, and yet inasmuch as such ar
amount is thus demanded, favor sucl
"incidental' protection as this affords?
answer He can; but when he endorses {
discriminating tariff schedule he ha:
Jumped squarely over the fence into thu
Protectionists' camp, If such a ont
has no "protectionism" in his politco
economies he Is logically opposed to any
Determinations in the schedules.
Now. Mr.. Editor, II this is a fair analy
sis OF the question. it il very certainly
tue there are few-very few-Free
Traders in this country. 70 state th'
proposition in different terms, however
/ aver that not only are there compare
lively few revenue only tarifiltes, bu
that they are In woful minority in tbs
Democratic party. Tariff for revenue
only" is as grim a spectre" as ''impos
slble free trade" Hence the utter alb
surdlty OF the tariff plank in our Chicago
platform. No party would dare TO 60
before the people defending such mon
strosity without notifications and ex'
plantations The personal popularity OF
a Cleveland and issues overshadowine
that Of the tariff may on occasion con
spire 10 win a great victory WIN sucn
platforms. but they are won despite anc
not on account OF such ab5urditles. Iha'
plank Is out of harmony with the times
with facts. and with the spirit OF tht
party. II is all well enough TO champion
tariff-reform and a schedule that Will De
lust to all interests but in the name Of
common deconcy let US not abuse prin
cjple which We favor and endorse
Let the grim spectres" free trade and
s..srlff for revenue only be linked TO-
gether and eliminated from our national
political arena. W. VI H.
Richmond, Va.