Speech #510065894

Also. there is an expense account. insurance account. and shrinkage account. all of which combined bring down the profits of the average manufacturer to a legitimate and proper basis. But a freetrader should never have introduced those figures into his speech. they represent too glaring a contrast between the increase in the average wages paid between the decade of free trade from 1850 to 1860 and the period of protection from 1860 to 1870. If our wages are not higher than in England and the opportunities in life for workingmen not better. why is it that the tide of emigration is in this direction ? Would men leave the home of their childhood. the traditions of their fathers for a new home amongst strangers unless material benefits were to be gained? And this silly talk about the American laborer not being protected against the pauper laborer. When a man becomes a citizen of this country does he not become an American laborer. does he not become a consumer of American products. and does his toil not go to the development of our resources? The difference between protection and free trade is that under the farmer policy the foreign capitalist and laborer to secure an opening in our market are forced to come here and increase our wealth. while under the latter or Democratic policy they would remain at home and send their products to us to be paid for in "cheap grain and cotton." to quote from Gladstone.