New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-07
POPULAR OBSERVATIONS.
THEIR DUTY TO THEIR COUNTRY.
WEALTHY PEOPLE WHO FORGET 1T IN PATRoNIz-
ING FOREIGN woRKMEN INSTEAD

ING FOREIGN woRHMEN INSTEAD
OF AMERICANS
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Not long ago the people OF this country were
appraised Of the menace TO the safety of the Union
by the possibility of the accession TO power OF po-
ltical party with Anarchs,ic principles. which mac
become sufficiently powerful 10 nominate candi-
date for the high ONCE OF the Presidency OF the
United States. The dangers attending the we"a'e
of the country through the possible supremacy Vi
this party were placed Before the people WIN d"
appeal 10 save the Nation from policy OF repuoia
tion and dishonor. True 10 their inherent ioEa'!
10 their country the large majority OF our people
hy their prompt response 10 this appeal aVer'eu
tho disaster which threatened the peace OF our
country | regret that | cannot say peace ana
prosperity because prosperity we had not
Considering its vast wealth and resources these
two terms should never be separated IN ois'uSsins
our countrv's condition. feel assured that the
time is near at hand when we. as Americans prouu
OF our country and its welfare. can say peace ana
nrosncritv reign Let us now appeal TO the people
IN sssie, in unfolding our country in It's CONNIE
nrosoerity 10 encourage American industries 10
patronize American merchants. and 10 purchase
commodities not because they are made IN Eng
land" or made in France" but because the! are
made In America.
Our pconle when they have amassed WeaiHl lo'-
get that they owe duty. not only 10 the country
M, 10 The peonlc Of the country less fortunate IMAM
themselves II becomes the duty of our wealthy
nAople TO recognize the skill and industry OF thelr
countrymen by patronizing the products OF 'hei'
labor and enterprise and by encouraging our iie
chancs and artisans in their efforts 10 eeNdlc 'hc
standard of their productions. Instead of taxing
this stand our wealthy people seem rather 10 pe
.Neve that nothing is made In this country gooo
enough for them
During a recent trip abroad in the'in;erests OF my
business had occasion 10 go through several
French furniture establishments, and found then
working almost exclusively on orders from our
wealthy people here. AZ prices for winch tan
American maker Of the same class OF goods wonid
tsvs hsen mos, happy to execute them. with
guarantee Of equal II not superior workmanship
and artistic excellence. My thought was. Is TINS
the sort OF encouragement that is held out 10 inc
young men OF own country TO perfect 'hem-
eelves in the fine arts and industries? Fortunes &C.
ourod in this country often in enterprises "nich
later 10 the poor and those in moderate crcum-
stances. and thus acquired from them are ss
unfairness All this is wrong and un-American.
The fad for goods made abroad has not ane:'e 90
wealthy as those mentioned. In Germany my at
tenion was directed to GOODS maze nr iu
the American market In enormous qu9n,ieS pr,n-
cipally gilt furniture made in very interior man
nsr ap par ior S1s frDpe is Of so poor qualify
that il could not be sold If made here in the same
maae bf P%s IN Eng"nd aso many
are working exclusively for the American market,
n1Sc wSeS sold to our
Americans at fabulous prices. considering the
crudeness OF construction and carving.
This condition Of affairs has so encouraged foreign
makers that several large French concerns have
opened branch houses in this city Orders taken
by these firms Invariably executed abroad. l
am informed that most Of these firms have been
unusually busy. during the entire depression
OF business. while our American concerns of the
same class. capable OF executing the same work Al
lower prices have been closing their shops and
dscharCing their mechanics for lack of work.
We as Americans are not opposed TO foreign com
when
must be made in London or Paris the opportunity
for competition and fair comparison is not even
given This is A statement Of facts applying TO only
industry. and il applies to IT, so also does it
apply 10 hundreds Of other industries whore the
sane state OF affairs exists.
Although not ir favor OF excessive tariff. vet
] believe that under such conditions high tariff
would he unsuitable. II every article purchased
nv this peculiar. un-American class must come
from abroad 10 I've acceptable. il should AT least
revenue Of the country a MANUFACTURES.
New-York. Feb. /, 1887.