The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-08-29
PRINCIPLE OF PROTECTIVE
TARIFF.

The original idea in establishing a
protective tariff in this country was to
benefit new industries to give them
AN opportunity to successfully compete
in our home markets with the firmly
countries Of Europe. The idea was
that, on account of cheaper labor and
Iother advantages, these foreign coun-
tries could ship their goods across the
Atlantic and undersell home manufac-
turers in our own market. The origi-
a momen Entertained an idea that
this system would be maintained any
longer than was necessary to give these
new industries a fair start with their
foreign competitors. The modern ap-
Iplication Of protective tariff was as far
from their thoughts as is the latter-day
construction of h e clause of the organic
law of the nation which declares all
men are born free and equal.
The objects and purposes of a protec-
tive tariff have twice changed since
this system was inaugurated by it's
I~originators. When the for
which it was established had been at
Itained the beneficiaries Ct this system
were unwilling to give up the adyant-
lagos which it gave them in the home
markets over foreign competitors, and
they secured it's continuance by means
of republican legislation in congress-.
In order that they might still not only
control h American markets, but have
an entire monopoly of them, these tariff
laws were retained upon the statute
books. and as the American manufac-
|turers grew richer and stronger through
their ability to arbitrarily establish
prices of their goods In the American
markets. they grew more greedy and
.Irapacious and at their dictation to the
party, whose retention of
power depended upon the support of
these tariff protected manufacturers,
the duties On foreign made goods were
raised higher and higher for the purpose
of increasing the profits of these men.
Europe was driven out Of the American
market and the consumers were at the
iiI1ISS vi lie pIOuuCGIS dllu mdHuIaC-
turers.
One would suppose this would satisfy
these harpies, but it was not so. Not
with absolute control Of the
American markets, they determined to
those of Europe and compete
the manufacturers thee In their
markets. This is the last and
present stage of the American tariff
'ist that the republican party shall keep
ID our high tariff in order that they
nay be able to go into the markets of
europe and there successfully compete
With b home people. To secure a
oothold in these markets they must
undersell their rivals. They |
'ould not afford to do this unless they
we're able to recoup their losses or
ales without sufficient profits by max
ng ~exorbitant charges in the home,
protected markets. It is to
lelp this invasion Of the foreign mar
,ets that u customs duties are now
.ept at a war tax rate. We here at
ome not only have to contribute to the
Of vast fortunes by these mo-
and trusts, but have to bear
he losses that they sustain by cas-
f the low prices established in foreign
by these Americans.
A glance at the figures as to the ex-
ort trade Of this country and the prices
in the European markets
Till show the truth of these statements
nd will disprove the allegation that a
Ugh tariff is needed to protect these in