It is urged that the consumer pays the duty. and doubtless this is generally the case. although it is well known that this is not always or necessarily the case. But suppose it to be true. that the consumer pays an enhanced price to the extent of the protection given. would it be wise. would it be provident to leave any resource of our own which is capable of yielding what we want and what we consume to a devouring foreign monopoly to the extent of the sum total of American demand? With the rapidly multiplying millions of our population. which by the end of the next century may (as I trust without Chinese immigration) equal that of China at the present time. would it be wise to adopt such a legislative policy as will strangle American enterprise by preventing the multiplication and vigorous growth of our own industries? ido not mean to say that American industries are to be fed perpbtually on protection pap. nor do I mean to say that protection should be given through an import tax outside of strictly revenue limits. but I do mean to assert most emphatically that within those limits a judicious and reasonable discrimination ought to be made in favor of infant industries until they grow into a sturdy maturity. which will enable them to leap into the arena of trade and commerce full armored and equipped for a fair and equal contest with all foreign competitors. We must not recoil from a policy that looks to the advantage and prosperity of our common countryinthe future simply on account of a present inconvenience. We must remember that we are not living for the present generation alone.
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immigration