i84 THE MURDER OF AGRICULTURE 



mitted the principles of reciprocity, and emphasised this 

 admission b}^ giving the country a proof of their behef in 

 the necessity of Tariff Reform in the shape of a practical 

 working arrangement with a foreign State, are now 

 " between the devil and the deep sea." They cannot 

 recede from the anomalous attitude they have assumed 

 without still further weakening their position, while if 

 they continue where they are they will assuredly give 

 their political adversaries certain advantages by which 

 they will not fail to profit. 



At any rate, it is certain that although the principles 

 of " Free Trade " may be good enough in theory, it is 

 manifest they will not stand the rough and tumble of 

 this practical everyday existence of ours. Silk breeches 

 and kid gloves may be very pretty and becoming, but 

 good honest homespun and a stout pair of leather 

 gauntlets are better able to resist the hard wear and tear 

 of life, and enable us to grapple with those thorns which 

 crop up so often in our journey through this 

 world. 



To put it briefly. Governments, no more than indivi- 

 duals, can afford to ignore the pressing exigencies of Hfe ; 

 nor are they proof against those temptations which touch 

 self-interests. The United States wanted a compara- 

 tively small commercial concession. Certainly, says our 

 " Free Trade " Government, but give us something in 

 return; reduce your duty on some of our goods which 

 you buy from us, and we will take certain duties off some 

 of the goods you send to our country — a small bargain 

 to serve some personal interest! and lo, Reciprocity be- 

 comes the guiding principle even of a Government wliich 



