250 LIGHT SCIENCE FOR LEISURE HOURS. 



ing interests of our nation have suffered enormously, 

 and the whole nation, except a few small classes, has 

 suffered seriously for many years ; our mercantile 

 marine is less already by millions of tons, probably by 

 nearly one-half, than it would have been but for the 

 tariff ; foreigners have been encouraged by the high 

 absolute profits of trade to come over here to make 

 money, but the low relative value of money causes 

 them to return with their gains to their own country ; 

 many wealthy Americans even have been tempted to 

 go and to stay abroad simply because they find them- 

 selves far wealthier men abroad than at home; the 

 frauds and peculations which always accompany a high 

 tariff have long been rife among us, and there is too 

 much reason to fear that the natural effects have 

 extended to and are extending through political and 

 commercial life ; every day it is becoming more diffi- 

 cult and dangerous to remove from our midst the very 

 evil from which we are suffering ; and many genera- 

 tions must pass before its effects, and the effects of its 

 finally enforced removal cease to be experienced. But 

 then, on the other hand, we have now learned to make 

 our own clocks and watches. We have nearly learned 

 to make our own paper and our own calico. With a 

 little more time our ironmasters will no longer need 

 (though it may not follow that they will no longer ask 

 for) a prohibitory tariff ; and the like with some other 

 branches of manufacture.' Such seems to be a just 

 comparison between the good and evil consequences to 

 America of her Protective system. It is not for other 



