Protection A Fraud

The folloving is tlio rovrnué plank of the platform adopted by the Fifth District Democratie Congressionul ( 'mvention: W3 ZOOO! That the policy of protection should, in our judgmeiit, bo abandoned, because it favors by direct legislation particular interests ; because it induces the manufacturera to rely upon the Government in the contest witli foreign eompetitors, instead of cultivating skill, economy. and a spirit of self-reliance, which are so important for success in all branches of business ; because as we cannot sell liberally unless we buy liberally, it diminishos tho foreign demand for our agricultural and other producís, and conseojienjly Jegens the price of them ; because it is inconsistent with the spirit of the age, whicli demanda tliat all unnecessary obstacles in the way of the freest exchange of producís between nations should be romoved ; and, finally, bocause its end if not its aim, is to enricli the few at the expense of the many in its esssential character. A protective tariff is barbarism. Such a tariff niay be defended for a time, like an irredeemable curreney, on the ground of necessity, but not as a permanent national policy. If there be any kind of manufacturing in the United States that cannot livu with such advantages as a judicious revenue tariff and eost of transportation from different countries give, it is very clear that it is unfitted to the country or habits of the people, and that it ought not to be encouraged.