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The Raw Material Ambush

The Raw Material Ambush image
Parent Issue
Day
26
Month
February
Year
1890
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

An espcclally significant phase of tlio opposition to protection just now quite prominent, is the demand for "free raw materials." This is tlio fir.-t degree to whidi tlie free trade neopliyte is introduccd, and in which he is expected to become proficient, preparatory to assuming the more advanced attitude of the Cobden Club and lts representaties In tlie United States. Deraand for " free raw materials " serves well for a rally ing cry because of lts ambigulty. It is sufficieütly flexible to suit the most fastldious voter - provided he should not be too inqulsitive. So long as he is not called upou for particulars, our tariff reforrner gets on swimingly. Force him to enumérate those materials he would include in the proposed exemption from duty, and it will be found that his logic followed to lts legitímate sequence lands at absolute free trade in nearly cvery article competing with the producís of domestic manufactures. In the iron industry not an article short of the very highest product would escape; while with dry goods, only ready-made garments and fabrics requiring no further manipulation to fit them for U3e would be exempted from tlie comprehensive Hst. For in the entire range of manufactured products there are but few that do not becomc the base, the "raw material,'1 of some more advanced industry. In the case of clothing, the linished cloth is the raw material of tlie tailor, wool of the weavcr corn and grass of the sheep owner. In iron, ore comea to the smelter, pig iron to the maker of bars, and these in their turn to the makers of cutlery, muchinery and other articles, many of' which - such as nails, hinges, gns pipes, etc. - are but auxilary to the business of workeis in other industries. Tlie cry for "free raw materials" is a drag net, just now most persistently maiiipulated by free traders for the capture of recruits to the Cobden policy. In vain should it be set in the preseuce of intelligent voters. If free trade should become the policy of this government, and hundreds and thousands of the factories be obliged to close their doors, what would become of the hands employed therein? Would they be driven into the llelds of agriculture, to compete with the already too numerous producers, or would they become tramps and prey upon the earnings of those fortúnate enough to have einploymenl? This government is a wheel witliin a wheel, and whatevcr efl'ects one wheel will retard the progresa of all. Whatevei brings stagnation upon the factorlea lessens the consumption of the farm products. When the farmers are not prosperous the country is not prosperous. Uefore listening to the silvery arguments of the free trader, my friend, thlnk over the consequences of free trade. Poï t is bevond question that when the working ieople of this iiation sliall be placed on a financial level with the working peopleof the world - which free trade will surely bring about - it will be a sad day lor this great republic. Ypsilantian: "The Sentincl refers to the lact that a servant in the household of Secrctary Tracy, was at eaily mass when the lire occurcd by jwhich Mie. Tracy and lier daughter lost their lives, and 80 was "savcil by devotion." "IIow fortúnate it would have been, In this instance," exclaims the wise writer, "had the custotn of the family been tbat of' the servaut," who "went to"mas8 at six o'clock," wlille tliey "alumbered on untll dettraction overtook thern." The same issue of the Sentinel reports the robbery of Mr. F. W. Cleveland' house while lic and hW wife were at chureh; and it miglit have heen added with eqiial pertinence, "ilovv fortúnale it would have been, in this lustunce, had the ciistom of the family been to stay at home, iubtc:u'. of going ofl' to chureh."

Article

Subjects
Old News
Ann Arbor Courier