Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-10-24

to the moment, taking those steps
necessary to promote our welfare
in the great material things that
should concern us. We command
the home markets-thanks to the era
of protection-and there is no thought
of dropping the substance and diving
at the shadow in the pursuit of foreign
trade. Reciprocity differs from free
trade in every essential. 1t protects
what we have got, while We 90 after
what we have not got Free trade, on
the contrary, throws down all the
bars. endangers everything and gets
only what chance brings. Reciproc-
ity is the exchange of SURPRISES, and
just at present SURPRISES are Uncle
Sans specially.
Reciprocity has the support of many
leading Republicans-especially the
progressive element. Democrats, too,
are inclined to view it with favor.
There are, however, other leading
Republicans who think it would be
unwise to disturb the tariff in any par
ticular. They are satisfied with
present conditions and think changes
unwise and unnecessary. Their
opinions are entitled to due consid-
Grafton. BIT it does seem that with
the present general agreement as to
the wisdom of protection itself, and
the urgent need of doing everything
possible to broaden our field it would
not be difficult to arrange for fair
trial of the promising reciprocity idea.
The statement is often made-and
seems to be susceptible of proof that
owing to needless protective barriers
many articles are sold here at home at
prices considerably in advance of those
that the same goods bring when sent
into foreign markets. This is not
right. Our people should not be pen
allied for the good they have done
these industries in providing a home
market. In such cases the fair thing
to do is to remove the protection and
competition will see TO it that the
goods sell at fair profit only. But
in removing these duties, or in lower
ing them, we are extending possible
favor to other nations, inasmuch as we
give them a better chance TO compete |
here. In return for this, reciprocity |
simply asks that a similar favor be
shown to us, either in the same or in
other lines. Thus, reciprocity might
afford the American public direct re-
lief from excessive prices.
We close by quoting passages from
last-and probably great
also from the Minneapo-
lis speech of the then vice president,
delivered at almost the same hour,
where these two leaders
stood -
(From McKinley's Buffalo speech.)
"God and man have linked the ma
tons together. No nation can longer
be Indifferent to any otner.n
"Our capacity to produce has de-
veloped so enormously, and our
products have so multiplied, that the
problem OF more markets requires our
urgent and immediate attention.
Only broad and enlightened policy
will keep what we have. No other
policy will get more
"By sensible trade arrangements
which will not interrupt our home
we shall extend the out
lets Tor our increasing surplus. A
system which provides a mutual ex-
change of commodities is manifestly
essential to the continued and health
lul growth of our export trade. We
must not repose in fancied security
that we can forever sell everything
and buy little or nothing. If such a
thing were possible. it would not be
best for us or for those with whom we
deal We should take from our Gus
toners such of their products as we
can use without harm TO our industries
iAu ldDOI. hcCilIoCitN II the ndiuIdl
of our wonderful industrial
development under the domestic poll
cy now firmly established. What we
produce beyond our domestic con
must have vent abroad.
The excess must be relieved through a
foreign outlet, and we should sell
everywhere we can and buy wherever
the buying will enlarge our sales and
and thereby make a
greater demand for home labor.
The period of exclusiveness is past.
The expansion of our trade and COM
merce is the pressing problem. Com
mercial wars are Improbable. A IL
policy of goodwill and friendly trade /
relations will prevent reprisals.
reciprocity treaties are in harmony !
With The spirit OF the times; measures !
)f retaliation are not. 5
II perchance some of our tariffs are a
no longer needed for revenue or to
encourage and protect our industries :
It home, why should they not be en- I
)loyed to extend and promote our