The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-03
a SENSIBLE ENGLISHMAN.

per correspondent in Washington a day
or so back:
"The Dingley tariff has not hurt any
English manufacturers in their sales of
expensive and fine goods TO customers in
this country.
There VIII always be a demand for
superior lines Of merchandise OF every de-
scription from the old country. Ny house
makes a speciality Of fine arts, and our
trade with the United States IS very satis-
factory. The firms that send over high
priced woolens are doing a splendid bust
ness. They make cloths so much better
and finer than they can be produced in
America, for climatic reasons. that men
who will wear only the best clothing can
not be satisfied with anything that Is not
imported. There is no sort Of tariff
law that your Congress can frame that will
shut US out of your markets"
We believe this is true. We have often
observed and wondered at the superiority
OF fine English cloths over the finest
American cloth and we have supposed IL
due TO the much longer period during
which Englishmen have been making fine
cloths and the inherited skill coming
down from father to son. This sugges-
ton Of a climatic consideration is a new
one to US. and it possibly accounts for the
result. II it does. England will probably
retain her place Of superiority in this re-
spect in spite Of all changes that may
come. unless. indeed. that quick and
glorious death instead of the slow star
walton which the loss OF trade would
mean 10 the nation" which the Attorney
General OF England, Sir Richard Web
ster. spoke of on Tuesday evening as the
result of a European war is TO overtake
her. In our judgment, however, neither
quick and glorious death" nor "slow
starvation" is in Immediate store for
England When her European foes get
ready TO inflict either fate upon her they
will find their work cut out for them and
there may be some quick and glorious
deaths" or "slow starvations' in other
quarters before they get their fell work
successfully into England
Mr. Barnett, continuing his remarks
upon the subject OF tariffs, said:
AT the same time, II / were an Ameri-
can, having only the best interests Of my
whole country at heart. ] would be for
absolute free trade. 1t is true YOU pay
your men better wages over here, but they
are worth more. 4 Yankee operative or
labOrer Outclasses an English or cont,
mental workingman 20 an extent that jus
titles the difference in compensation. But
the protective policy does nothing for the
laborer. and under il his wages Will
eventually go down. TO the great mass
OF people IL brings added cost for all the
necessities of life and no corresponding
benefit. You are too powerful nation.
too great in resources. 10 pursue such
cOddling policy. Let down the bars by
the abolition Of your duties and straight
way the gates OF all countries Will be
opened 10 your traders. who are now
clamoring against restricted markets.
In the race for commercial supremacy.
with free trade. America might easily
beat the world. II any man challenges
the statement. ! point to free trade Eng
land. and IL seems 10 me that. except 20
the most ignorant ana prejUdced, there
H. need Of no further argument Inc
protective policy is wasteful. for IL gath
ers in large revenues which invite waste
full expenditure because OF their method
Of collection. Did the United states have
the direct system OF taxation in vogue in
England. do YOU suppose your pension
budget would run 10 an annual amount
exceeding the cost Of Germany's standing
army
We don't know when We have met with
a more compendious. clear, concise ex-
posure Of the nonsense and humbuggery
OF protection than this. 1t would be
lucky for America if Mr.. Barnett could
get one Of our United States Senators
1--WE can name the mani TO swap employ
ments with him. giving us Mr. Barnett
for Senator and making the Senator
drummer for a cloth house. II would be
luckier for us still If he would carry into
the Senate with him one of his English
fellow drummers who comprehends the
importance OF a single standard, sound
money and free trade, and put all Of our
wild Senators TO selling our people the
good English cloths that the competition
Of free trade have brought England.
The following article from recent is
sue of the Nashville American is most
appropriate here when considering what
sound money and free trade would DO for
the South. The American says:
''The spirit OF progress is abroad in the
land OF the South and there is a feeling
akin to faith throughout this section that
lively era of business and industrial
prosperity is about to dawn upon us.
Two circumstances have served 10 draw
attention 10 the South and strongly in
vite the investment Of capital I'm Southern
enterprises. The first OF these was the
fact that Southern iron was being sold
abroad I'm commercial quantities at a
profit. The second was that Southern
cotton factories liourished. while those
of New England were in difficulties. These
were two strong and very significant
facts that argued the future Industrial
supremacy of the South. II Southern pig
iron could be sold I'm the English mid
lands at profit in competition with the
native product. there was proof perfect
10 the world that iron can be turned out
Of the furnace cheaper in the South than
In any other quarter OF the globe. The
prosperity of the Southern cotton facto-
ries argues the triumph OF the South in
that line Of Industry before il can be said
10 be fully well established in this Sec
ton.
Iron and cotton constitute the two
most important articles OF manufacture
the world knows. The South has an
abundance OF both and has demonstrated
that she can send the products OF both
into all parts of the world. The South's
market for her iron and her cotton and