THE LOGIC OF FREE TRADE AND PROTECTION. 59 



his system by any artificial boundaries. He strikes at once 

 at the root of the subject. He sees that trade finds its basis 

 not in any system of legislation, but in human wants and 

 desires. Wants lead to industries, and industries to commerce. 

 One form of production necessitates another. Food, clothing, 

 and shelter are requisite to mankind in all parts of the globe. 

 Climate, soil, and topography determine only the kind requisite. 

 Mr. Blaine considers the universal application of Mr. Glad- 

 stone's theory as a "most remarkable feature." It would have 

 been a much more remarkable feature had he restricted it. The 

 "feature" which the protectionist does not seem to understand 

 is that free trade is not simply a "theory" any more than 

 human freedom is. Both are moral truths. And just as Mr. 

 Blaine believed in loosening the shackles that held the slave in 

 bondage, so the free-trader believes in throwing off all the fetters 

 that hold trade in check. Similarly, as he would denounce him 

 who held human freedom to be a policy wise only under certain 

 conditions and in certain countries so the free-trader feels Mr. 

 Blaine's suggestion to be equally absurd and immoral. Free 

 trade is not a mere policy. It is based upon the " live-and-let- 

 live " principle, and the highest testimony to its wisdom, as well 

 as its truth, is its universal applicability. It recognizes neither 

 religion, color, language, nor climate, and is limited only by 

 human existence. It is at this point that the ethical side of the 

 question may well receive notice. To Mr. Blaine it appears 

 amusing that his opponent should see any question of ethics in 

 the subject at all. We believe that to most people the strongest 

 feature in the slave question was its appeal to the moral senti- 

 ment. It was certainly this phase that inspired the most eloquent 

 appeals and the greatest oratorical efforts. Similarly, it is this 

 same sentiment that animates the mind of Mr. Gladstone. The 

 idea is expressed by Herbert Spencer as follows : " The ability to 

 exercise the faculties, the total denial of which causes death that 

 liberty to pursue the objects of desire, without which there can 

 not be complete life that freedom of action which his nature 

 prompts every individual to claim, and on which equity puts no 

 limit save the like freedom of action of other individuals, involves, 

 among other corollaries, freedom of exchange. Government 

 which, in protecting citizens from murder, robbery, assault, or 

 other aggression, shows us that it has all essential function of se- 

 curing to each this free exercise of faculties within the assigned 

 limits is called on, in the due discharge of its function, to main- 

 tain this freedom of exchange, and can not abrogate it without 

 reversing its function and becoming aggressor instead of pro- 

 tector. Thus, absolute morality would all along have shown in 

 what direction legislation should tend. . . . An enormous amount 



