The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1895-05-17
FREE TRADE.
rhs Epithes Has Loaf lts sting says VII.
liam Lloyd aarrtson-H HE says Protection
Means Continued Corruption in L~gisia.
tive Halls.

which concerns all. Is certain 10 be a
harder and longer. though less sensa-
tional fight than was that for the free
dom Of the slaves. which concerned
but a small portion Of our population.
The same class OF intelligent. honor
able and public spirited men are now
lighting for freedom of trade-the
right of every man To sell the products
Of his labor in the highest markct-as
were fighting for the freedom Of the
blacks forty years ago. William Lloyd
Garrison was foremost for the aboli-
ton of slavery. his son. Of the same
name, is foremost for the abolition Of
all barriers To trade. In a speech be-
fore the New England Free Trade
league. on march p. William Lloyd
Garrison said in part a follows:
Several months have now elapsed
since our organization ioated the free
trade flag and put itself on record as
DESTROYS of cxtirpating rather than re-
forming the system Of special privi-
lege. known as protection. We have
therefore some basis upon which To
found a Judgment of the step. Our
friends who demurred put their objec-
tion sorely on the ground of expedi-
ency. no difference existing regarding
the fundamental principle. What has
resulted, We have lost a number of
our members. some of whom we regret,
and other who discovered that they
believed in moderate injustice. Where
one, however. has left us for our out
spoken belief. two have joined us for
that reason. bringing a spirit of ear
nestness in place of apathy.
But more than local improvement is
TO be noted. Our example has been a
stimulating one all over the country.
Responses have come from the west
reaching to the Pacific coast. and in
states nearer at hand our lead i to be
followed. Organizations that slum-
bered are awakening. and the Free
Trade club. OF New York city. now
that the Beform club has betaken
itself temporarily TO the money ques-
ton. is preparing TO resume its sus-
pended functions. More hopeful still.
and an indication that in spite of our
deprecated radicalism. we are very lit
tie in advance of practical politics; the
democratic organizations of several
states, notably that of Minnesota. are
preparing to plant themselves upon an
uncompromising free trade basis. All
of which is cheering and suspicious
II wonder If our friends who lear
haste in abolishing monopoly, who are
so resigned 70 the further extension of
the burdens which others bear. realize
g. 49, --- -rt-
forms wait patiently for this one to
get itself out Of the way. Behind il is
a vast blockade. Remember for how
many year slavery kept back the con
sideration of the social problems now
crowding for Solution. No rectifica-
tion OF wrong ever came too quickly.
Always the delay has added to the
eventual retribution.
zone thing is marked since the
league has flown its advance colors.
No apologies have been exacted of us
for insinccrity. That weapon Of the
enemy, no longer capa BILE of wounding,
has been put away in the medieval ar,
mory and is only valuable as a Curl
osity. The epithet free trade has no
sting. and since it has become the
badge of honor is useless TO the opposi-
tion. There is at present a noticeable
tendency to qualify our declaration of
belief in the full principle Of freedom
by saying that we would not abolish
the tariff at once. Such protest only
weakens our attack and comforts the
protectionist. Nobody is troubled by
q reformer who puts the date of success
at the year 1000.
The Stacking Of trade is bad
enough. the economic waste Of pro-
tective tariffs is impoverishing, but
worse yet is the enforcement of priv
ilege in fundamental Law. The proud
est claim of our league is its aim. not
only to unchain commerce, but 10 drive
from legislative halls and executive
chambers the spirit of spoilation which
everywhere corrupts and taints our re-
publican government. II is this. more
than the self-interest Of trade, that
balks our movement Dislodging the
protective theory, the monstrous as
sumption that those who can obtain
the legal power may plumber the weak
and poor for personal ends. we dislodge
also the trusts. monopolies and favor
itisms that defy all civil service eff
forts. We may enact rigid rules for
examination and curtail the power OF
politicians for revenue only" but
leave the protective principle in force
and spoilsmen will find means enough
10 perpetuate their power and practice.
Reconstruct every Office in the nations
gift. still allowing protective issues "a
shape the nations policy, and govern
ment itself may lapse into the colossal
trust which socialism paints in such
alluring hues. The destruction Of pro-
~tective tariffs carries with it the paral'
ysis Of the trusts
1.-THE Free Trade league, therefore,
appeals to the higher instincts tina,
make for good government and pure
laws II urges upon the community
broader view Of its true object, Olsen
tangled from schedule rates Of tho
comparative abatement of duties. In
the name Of good citizenship IL ask.
that its hands be upheld by tho
thoughtful and unselfish portion Of
the community. II needs funds to print
and circulate literature and END out
volunteer lecturers. 1t promises M