Page:The World's Famous Orations Volume 10.djvu/224

 THE WORLD'S FAMOUS ORATIONS

tural producers? I can show you — I think I can demonstrate clearly — how the tariff hurts them; and I defy any of you to show whereia they are benefited by a protective tariff.

Suppose a farmer in Minnesota has 5,000 bushels of wheat and a farmer in Georgia has 100 bales of cotton. That wheat at eighty cents ti bushel is worth $4,000, and that cotton at eight cents a pound is worth $4,000. Let those pro- ducers ship their staples abroad. The Minne- sota wheat-grower ships his wheat to Liverpool; whether he ships it there or not, that is where the price of his wheat is fixed. The Georgia cotton-raiser ships his cotton to Liverpool; whether he ships it there or not, that is where the price of his cotton is fixed. The wheat and the cotton are sold in that free trade market. The wheat is sold for $4,000; the cotton brings the same amount. The Minnesota farmer in- vests the $4,000 he has received for his wheat in clothing; crockeryware, iron, steel, dress goods, clothing, — whatever he may need for his family in Minnesota. The Georgia cotton-raiser invests the proceeds of his cotton in like kinds of goods.

Each of those men ships his goods to this country and they reach the port of New York. When either undertakes to unload them he is met by the collector of customs, who says, "Let me see your invoice." The invoice is exhibited, and it shows $4,000 worth of goods. Those goods represent in the one case 5,000 bushels of wheat, in the other case 100 bales of cotton. 190

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