Thoughtful people are, at this time, more concerned with the
prospective treatment of the tariff problem.
Now, it is neither our purpose nor desire to add to the literature of
discussion, on this important theme; but one thought which occurs to us
may here be submitted in the form of a question. People who talk much on
tariff topics are supposed to be interested in the same, and to have
some reason, good, bad, or indifferent, for advancing their diverse
arguments.
To all such, the inquiry may be addressed:--Are you sure that you
believe in a "protective" tariff because you think it is a _public_
benefit, or because you think it is a private benefit?
And again:--Does "protective" tariff protect? If it does,--whom?
Last autumn, the cry arose throughout the land that free trade meant the
destruction of home labor, and the "introduction of the pauper labor of
Europe," or at least a competition at home with the pauper labor of
Europe. Well, some very dismal pictures have been drawn of the condition
of the pauper labor of Europe, and when thinking of them, it must be
confessed that one does not like to run any risks.
Pages:
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210