The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1911-04-25
Reciprocity and Calamity.

1t will be disappointing to the presi-
dent that less than a majority of his
party In the house voted for the reci-
procity bill. But with nearly unani-
nous democratic vote and almost one
half of the republican vote for the bill.
he should be reasonably satisfied. The
main thing is 10 get the bill through
congress regardless OF where the votes
come from. The president will be vim
Dictated or not indicated by the results
and not the votes; and by as much as
he is indicated by SO much will he
and SO much OF his party as supports
his be strengthened before the electo-
rate Of the country.
: New England voted for the bill with
gratifying solidity. OF its twenty-nine
members In the house no less than "a
are recorded in the Affirmative. All OF
southern New England voted this way
except the Gloucester congressman,
and three OF the eight northern New
England congressman stood with them
The time will come. we imagine. IL
this freer trade agreement is carried
through. as 1t evidently will be. when
northern New England will see that ii
has been adyantaged even more than
southern New England
Meantime. however. the calamitous
voices Of great delusion are being
raised to new heights OF prophecy OF
disaster and ruin. We will place on
record for the possible enlightenment
OF future historians an example. 1t
Is from the Worcester telegram
The house al Washington, last night.
started little leak through the wall
OF protection that has made this coun-
try the most prosperous OF all nations,
whether OF modern or ancient days.
That little stream is called Canadian
reciprocity. Il Is free trade. That lit
tie stream will become a raging food.
r has for years been agitated and
financed from Europe in the yellow
magazines and In the yellow news
papers. The people Of America today
rejoice. but when they come TO pay
the price which will crush their pros
perity for a time and bring continent
wide distress to countless families.
they viii slaughter all the publications
and all the politicians who have mis-
led and betrayed them. History Is to
repeat itself, but the return 10 sound
doctrines and 70 consistent statesmen
is certain. Meanwhile simpletons are
on deck.
but where that history Is to be found
which is thus 20 repeat itself one is at
loss to know. Under high tariffs
and low. under protective tariffs and
under revenue or so-called free trade
tariffs. this country has gone along In
a great and uninterrupted advance.
Il never made more rapid material adj
vance than under the free trade" tar
ms Of 1886 and 1857. though we do no
say Il was because OF those tariffs. II
never made slower or more discourage
ing industrial progress than under the
high war tariff from 1873 10 1879.
though We do not say II was on ac-
count Of that tariff. II had its great
panic Of 1893 under the promise Of
downward iariff revision. but Il also
had It's great panic OF 1907 under the
highest Of all our tariffs and with no
promise Of It's being disturbed.
Our protection extremists seem to
Be- as unable 70 learn by experience a.
By reasoning. which should teach that
q country cannot tax wealth into exls-
ience or create prosperity and prog
ress merely BY burdening one indus
trial class for the benefit Of another.
But i is possible that little more ex-
perience Of 80 definite character as
freer trade with Canada may prove
more effective than past experience
has proved for the enlightenment Of
these our friends II Is worth trying
anyhow Springfield Republican.