But for these votes many of the industries of the North would have been stricken down by the Democratic freetraders in this House and the gap between the price of labor in this country and the price of foreign labor swept away. As a matter of justice the Republican Representatives from the South demand that to the colored laborer of the South the same protection be given that is granted to the white laborer of the North. and that on this particular industry this House will impose a system of duties that will. in the language of the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania . "protect the wages of the freedmen of Louisiana. Florida. and the sugargrowing counties of Texas and Alabama against the competition of the labor of the thirtytwo countries from which we import sugar and whose laborers are slaves or illpaid and underfed coolies." In connection with this question. Mr. Chairman.