Rensselaer Republican, Volume 20, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 July 1888 — IT IS FREE TRADE. [ARTICLE]

IT IS FREE TRADE.

What the'Brltlfth People think of the Democratic Tariff Reform. Since the Oregon and Rhpde Island elections the Democrats' have become fearful of the result of the fight on the Free Trade versus Protection issue, which they have piecipitated, <apd they are now, with characteristic dupJicity, and cowardice, endeavoring to deceive the people with pretensions that their fpresent position does not mean practice Free Trade. ’,

Here are some impartial opinions, from British papers, on that subject: From “A member of Parliament ’ bv cable lo ttie free-trade Now York Herald To convert tha United States is indeed a tr umph. The Cobdon Club will henceforth set up a special shrine for tho worship of President Cleveland, and send him all its publications gratis. Cobden foundo ! free trade* Cleveland saved it. Such is the burden of tho song all through England to-day. The Glasgow Herald. . President Cleveland may say to others, therefore, and think what he chooses, but lie has precipitated the inevitable struggle between free trade and protection in the United States, aud that is tantamount to saying that ho is on the side of free trade.

The London Iron aud Steel Trades Journal. The facts set forth in the President’s message, though by no means new, aro now brought so prominently under the notice of the American Congress and of American citizens that a violent stimulus must bo given to the party which advocates entire freodom of trade.

From the London Saturday Review. It may be taken for granted that the President has not acted without previously consulting the leaders of tho Democratic party and securing their approval. He and they have taken up again the old flee-trade policy of the South CarolirirUpoliticians, uncounectwith what in tho jargon of American politics, was. called a sectimal question..

From tlic Spectator. His terse and telling message has struck a blow at American protection such as could never have been struck by any fair-trade league, such, indeed, .aa would hava been greatly weakened by the operations of tihy fair tVado league. ** * *He has tired a shot at the protectionists which will be all the more effective for his refusal to discuss the theoretic issue.

From tho London Post. AVe must regard the message of the President of the United States as being a distinct pronouncement in favor of free trade. We shall be mu ;h mistaken if the effect of this state communication will not be to strengthen considerably the case of free-traders in all parts of the world. It wfll be regarded as a step in the right direction by all who believe in the soundness of free trade principles. 1-Tom the London Times.

It is calculated that to give effect to -Mr-Cleveland’s .policy duties to the amount of some $80,000,000 aj year, about two-fffihs ot the entire customs revenue, must bo surrendered. This operotion may not establish “freetrade 1 ’ in the strict sense of the term, but it will to a great extent make trade free. As was to be expected, the protectionists have taken the alarm, and, as our correspondent at Philadelphia informs us, they are organizing for a determined resistance. They are, no doubt, right in believing that, whatev or may be said of preserving the essence of the protective system and ignoring froe trade the tariff' cannot be reduced to the strict proportions of a revenue corresponding to the limited and. dl minishing necessities of the federal government without admitting a great flood of foreign competition. From tlx; London Daily News.

The President does not seem to perceive tho effect"of his own arguments, or oven the meaning of his own words. His statement that the question of free trade is irrelevant is astounding and preposterous. Mr. Cleveland has persuaded himself to think, or finds it con. venient to say, that tho principle of fostering native industries by duties on foreign imports can be made compatible with the principle of regulating tho burdens upon the people by the needs of the public service. It is pure delusion. Protection, albeit indefensible, is tho height of wisdom compared with proposals which combine all the evils of interference with all the risks of liberty. His real meaning is that the Bc.homn by which the artificial fabric of of domestic enterprise has been built, up-in America is fundamentally, vicious. He demands, in effect that there should be a tariff for revenue purposes only.

From tho London Standard. When the, inevitable consequences of adherence to a protectionist tariff are set forth by men oi Mr. Cleveland’s position in the language which he has used, free trade becomes at once a living issue. There is an end to the truce, of the makeshifts, of the hollow combetween the rival factions Jto keep the delicate subjeet in tho background of the platform.

By Special Cable Dispatch to the Free-Trade New York World - London, Dec. 10.—The English papers continue to devote much space to what they call “Mr. Cleveland’s declaration in favor of free trade.” From tho average English comment the public, hero has boon led to believe that free-trade is now as good as a<Jopt* ed in the United States., It is considered here (in Englaud) that free-trade with us (in America) is just what is needed ta revivo drooping English industries. The Times, this morning, devotes a column to tho American situation, denouncing Mr. Blaine for holding on to what it calls “the absurd principle of protection.” From the People’s Journal, Dundee.

A great sensation has been created by President Cleveland’s message, and if tho policy which it indicates bo carried out, it will prcduco almost as much effect in this country as in America. The tariff reform which tho President recommends goes as far, at least, as the abolition or reduction of the duties on raw materials. ; Should Congress give effect to this proposal, its immediate result would be an enormous stimulus to English industry.

From Loudon Pall Mall Gazette English free-traders would ee well advised is they moderated the ecstacy of of their jubilation over President Cleveland’s message. Every word which they say in its favor will be used as a powerlul argument against the adoption of its recommendation. From the Toronto (Canada) Mail. “The Mills bill proposes to abolish at one stroke about eighty millions of taxes, by putting certain articles on the free lists and by reducing the duties on others. A much more drastic measure may be looked for, however, should the democrats win in November. Shrewd judges think that long before the close of Mr. Cleveland’s second term the tariff of on dutiable goods will be lowered to 25 per cent, and the free list enlarged by the addition of everything classed as raw material.”