The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-02-14
FREE TRADE

1t never rains but it pours. Not only are we
to have reciprocity with Canada, but it seems
President Taft and speaker-elect Champ Clark
I have formed a partnership to establish free
trade with all the world Truly these be sad
and quaky days for protectionists and the manu-
factnrers who have been waxing fat and opu'
lent on this side of the lofty tariff wall
The Republican party has always stood for
high tarir so as to protect the industries of this
country from competition, at whatever cost to-
the ultimate consumer, the protection was effect
ed. The Democrats have insisted that protect
i've tariff schedules were unfair, unjust, and,
while granting enormous benefits to a few
Wealthy men, imposed great hardships the
general public Jones. who pays the freight |
The two parties seem now to have come to the
conclusion that free trade is an excellent ground
of compromise
England is the grea. free trader of the world,
and her finances seem TO stand up pretty well
without the imposition Of heavy duties. Her free
trade banner has attracted commerce from all
the world, and as a nation receiving the exports
of the countries Of the earth, she probably has
no worthy rival Free trade is great thing,
not only for manufacturers. shippers. and the
country from which the articles are sent but for
the nation at whose shores the heavily burdened
commercial vessels dock.
The British empire ran maintain free trade
relations better than any other nation of the
earth Certainly better than this country. How
ever the public, economists and politicians may
decry the imposition Of tariff. every thinking
man must realize that this country is entirely too
young to 60 into the free trade business on a
wholesale plan just yet. Removal of tariff from
certain articles of food and manufacture from
4 Canada is commendahle, and it might be a good
stroke of business TO establish free trade with
all the Central and SoutI. American countries to
make the shipment of their vast resources north
and south, but for a great many years the free
trade principle should be extended no further.
By reason of quantity of resources. age of in
dustry, experience in various lines, and estab
Iished standards, producers and manufacturers
In othar nations would have great advantage
over tnose of this country were free trade es
tablished. While protection for the benefit OF
rich men is all wrong and should be weeded
out at the earliest possible moment. every sane
II
country must be protected. For that reason
and because of the vast amount of money neces
sary 10 conduct the affairs of this great and
growing government--th, republican form being
one OF the most expensiye-an appreciate tariff
must be levied not only to prevent the destruc
tion of large businesses builded up in this coun
try BY decades Of hard work and study. but to
Of
aesp tighten the ,irsesr of taxation ON citizens
The reciprocal tariff agreement with Canada
is progressive step and one which should have
been taken years ago Alarmists have cried out
against this trade pact because they believed Il
spelled ruin for certain American industries and
destruction of the farmers interests But a lit
tie time WIFI be required 10 prove the faIsity OF
trade pact win show the multifarious benefits
the agreement means for both countries.
years working Of the trade pact will also give
students of political economy an idea of the
meaning of free trade IN which this country is
& the giver In Congress it has been pointed out
that free trade with Porto Rico, Hawaii, the
Philippines and other possessions of this coun-
4 try caused an increase Of more than 70 per cent,
In imports from those islands These posses
sions are in no direct competition with the
United States, because their products are differ
ent from Free trade with larger and old.
er countries. with yaster resources. in many re.
spects than the United States, might increase
their exports by 70 per cent and do great deal
or harm. Free trade is wonderful thing, but
the question which must ohtrude itself Is this
Is the United States prepared for II? and Will
abe be for years to come?
DIGNITY.