The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-02-25
Free Trade and Peace

liable matter. a letter signed "JnO. S.
De Hart" 1t treats of many matters,
slavery, free trade, currency, taxa
ton, suffrage, but ! am chiefly inter
ested in his treatment of southern
questions. When we have learned
wisdom by experience most OF the
topics treated by the writer will find
natural, easy adjustment. Intelligent
suffrage will. deal with and adjust
most vexed questions. But this sem
tence in the letter attracts my atten-
ton and calls for reply:
"As negro slavery is dead, SO is
free trade or tariff for revenue only
dead. The same amendments that
killed slavery, will also kill free
trade and tariff for revenue only.
True, few of those who believed in
slavery are still holding out against
protection. But these few will die.
Show me a man who believes in
free trade, and | will show you one
who believes in slavery, or used to
believe in it."
Prior to the war between the states
considerable number, probably a
majority, of the thoughtful ones con-
sidered slavery an evil but inasmuch
as 1t was institutional and closely in
terwoven into cur social life the ques-
ton was with them, How can it be
safely discarded, and the question
was never satisfactorily answered;
then came war and the emano ipatiCn
proclamation, and slavery was no
more.
The south has nobly adjusted her.
self to existing conditions and is
working out her problem, SLOWLY, but
surely.
My personal belief is that racial
adjustment viii better progress If
wisely let alone. Whether the ballot
be a natural or an acquired right or
privilege, for the negro it can safely
wait; other claims press with greater
force.
There is much to be done before the
negro can become an intelligent, hon.
est voter; possibly some like criticism
may be passed upon many Caucasians.
1t would seem 70 me to be wiser TO
press the need for primary education,
not only in book wisdom, but in the
realm of morals, the need for chastity,
for industry, thrift, for self-restraint;
indeed, for a moral teaching which
shall elevate and induce growth in the
right direction.
1t is better that the southern negro
be qualified to vote while the Priv
ilege is withhs cid, than that he shall
be permitted to vote without being
qualified.
Much of the suggestion and often
harsh criticism of southern methods
comes from honest, but Ill qualified,
advisers, who, living at distance,
speak no helpful word. but rather
words of hind,ance.
Now, as to free trade: One OF your
own poets has said" Never poet
sings Of peace and tariff; rhe free
trade thought springs into life at the
name of peace. w. L. G.
Another says, Free trade alone
recognizes the brotherhood Of man."
NV battle cry is, Let the nations
adopt free trade and universe! peace
will follow as surely as light comes
with the rising Of the sun.
Ana IL dpp@dio " AhC eAAe&o 49,
your correspondent sees gioam Of
light as he utters this truth when
ali the world recognizes Christianity
and practices the doctrine in good
faith. then we can have free trade.
When we have learned the lesson
of federation we shall have gone far
in the direction of solving all great
problems.
Every tariff wall is an incentive to
war: let lis aim for peace by remov-
ing all distractions to free inter-
course; do not condemn the south be-
cause her people in response to the
attack of the early abolltionists advo-
Gated the extension of slavery as
measure; that is past
history, we are living In late- days.
When we know each other better
we shall realize that good people south
and good people north are much the
same. we are subject to environment,
and this lessons as we know each
other better; so advocate free trade,
free land, free men, and wide toler-
alton for differing views.
VIM. RILEY BOYD.
Atlanta. Gu.