Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 April 1890 — Popularity of protection. [ARTICLE]

Popularity of protection.

The natural impulse of our peopleds for p/otection. Every election in wl>rch the issue has been distinctly made between foreign trade aril protection for domestic industries lims proven that the demand for the former ir the voice of a minority, and that the maintenance cf the latter is the fixed . *

determination of the majority of American voters. Even that branch of the fiftieth congress which, under the guidance of selfish leaders committed suicide., by passing the Mills’ bill, went up from the people with a majority committed to Rrotection. A knowledge of these facts will account for the inconsistent pleas ;of those who still find it for their ! interest to join with foreigners in the demand for lowering the barriers to the importation of foreign ■ products. Ignoring the fact that larger fortunes have been made in this j country by those who distribute ! goods than by those, who manufacture, these fiee trade attorneys seek to incite prejudice against the ! latter and gain votes for a policy intended to enlarge the profits of manufacturers in other lands. The inconsistency, the outrageous injustice of this, voters are expected to overlook in their anxiety to get cheaper goods—cheaper because | mt;de where labor can be had for less money than it costs Here. Rrotection discriminates in fa vor of the American manufacturer who gives employment to domestic workmen amt keeps the profits , from his business in thia country r where it is made to contribute to i the public good. Free trade discriminates in favor of the alien {-manufacturer who employs alien ; labor, the profits of which go to ! the enrichment of a foreign nation. | Which is most directly in hue with | patriotism and sound business . principles?