TO THE EDITOR OF THE SPECTATOR.
Sin—If we could mistake the presumption of ignorance for the confidence of knowledge, the assurances of those who have combated the Duke of Wellington's opinion as to the insufficiency of our national defences would be exceedingly comforting: but, unfortunately, almost all these gentlemen have not only com- bated the Duke's opinion on this subject, but their own, as they have generally concluded their letters by proposing some pet project of their own instead of that recommended by the Duke; thus admitting that, however they may differ as to the manner, they are all agreed as to the fact that something should be done to afford us a reasonable security. Mr. Cobden, indeed, makes no such indirect admission of the inadequacy of our means of defence; but he is not a whit more consistent than the others in his reliance upon free trade as a means of protection against all hostile aggression; as we have his own published opinion that it will be a fortunate circumstance when the only country in Europe which has ever practised free trade to its fullest extent, which has never broken a treaty, and which has never meddled with the internal affairs of others, shall fall under the dominion of the government which carries out the protective or prohibitive eye- tem to its fullest extent. The Turks have never known a protective system. They imposed a revenue duty of zi per cent ad valorem upon all goods imported into their country; but they never established any protective laws whatever, whether for agriculture, manufactures, commerce, or navigation. Their port- dues have always been very moderate; and they have allowed foreign ships to trade freely between Turkish ports--a privilege accorded to foreigners by no other nation. The Russians, on the other hand, place such high protective duties upon all foreign articles as almost to amount to a prohibition of fair trade: yet did Mr. Cobden, in apamphlet entitled " Russia, by a Manchester Manufacturer," maintain that it would be a gain to Europe and to civilization when the former people should be conquered by the latter, and when those aggressive protectionists should rule in Constantinople. Turkey has already been dismembered, and will eventually be swallowed up by Russia, notwithstanding its practice of free trade. The present helpless condition of that country clearly demonstrates, that mere free trade neither insures material prosperity nor secures against hostile aggres- sion; and a comparison of Mr. Cobden's opinions as explained in his pamphlet with those recently expressed by him in his speeches and letters, proves that he is as inconsistent as he is unreasonable in expecting that free trade, however valuable it may be in extending human sympathies, will ever eradicate the pas- sions of ambition and avarice fawn the human breast—will ever give security to unprotected wealth, or peace to those who are unable to protect themselves. f he fable of the Wolf and Lamb contains the history of mankind; and the abhorrers of war should be the first to demand an increase of security, as nothing but a conviction of our defenceless state could tempt a hostile aggression. AU coun- tries except England have some means readily available of defending them- selves against an unforeseen attack, such as the Prince de Joinville has recommended against us. In Switzerland, the freest, and most free-trading country in Europe except Turkey, every man is trained to arms, though there are few paid soldiers; and it is owing to this fact, and to the idea that England is not yet so powerless as Mr. Cobden and Sir William Molesworth would willingly render her, that French and Austrian troops are not at this moment in possession of that country. We may plume ourselves on our sagacity at having hitherto saved what might have been expended on an increase of security when none has been needed. So does the man who saves the insurance on his house or his ship pride himself thereon, until a conflagration or a wreck ensues; then he curses his own avarice and folly, and none sympathize with him for his ruin. Free trade brings with it numerous advantages; but there is no more certain method of bringing a good measure into disrepute than by promising too much from it. All universal panaceas are looked upon as quackenes; and if the supporters of free trade be too extravagant in puffing their nostrum, it will scarcely enjoy the peculiar favour of being regarded as an exception to this ride. I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, R. G.
Previous page
