Page:The World's Famous Orations Volume 5.djvu/246

 THE WORLD'S FAMOUS ORATIONS

existence between the Colonies and ourselves; but let me point out that the Colonies have ab- solutely no grievance of any kind against us. We give them free admission through our open door into the largest and best market in the whole world. On the other hand, they have at home complete fiscal autonomy. For my part, I believe if they had not had it the Empire would not have kept together so long. They have com- plete fiscal autonomy, and in the exercise of that freedom the large majority of them have erected protective tariffs, not only against foreign na- tions, but also against the Mother Country. I do not complain of that for a moment. If you give your Colonies freedom, as you were right to do, you must allow them to exercise it in ac- cordance with local sentiments and local opinion.

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