A belief in protection is a disguised
superstition: when stripped of till the
alluring investment of sophistry, and
exaggerated pretension, that its authors
and advocates have woven about it, to
conceal its naked deformity, it amounts
to this: that something can be taken
from one man and given to another,
and the total belongings of both be
increased by the act of transfer; and
what is this but a belief in the cre
ation of matter? It is probably true
that protectionists will repudiate the
belief when reduced to this definite
form, and will, also, further deny, that
in ultimate analysis, it assumes any
such form. To meet these objections,
let us put it in a formula, less open to
criticism. It is a belief that a portion
of the productive ene-gy of a profitable
industry, can be transferred to a less
profitable one, and the aggregate pro
ductive energy of both be increased
by the operation: and this idea is no
whit less absurd than the other, for if
postulates the creation of force; and
the creation of force is just as incon
ceivable us the creation of matter. II
is the idea that inspires the “perpet
ual motion” enthusiast, who hopes to
get power out of nothing: the same
old idea, born in ignorance, exploded,
and for the most pari, abandoned, with
respect t• > inorganic combinations; re
appearing under anew form, reasserted
with respect to organic combinations,
with all the confidence attending anew
discovery. The essential identity of flu*
respective beliefs of protectionists and
perpetual motionists, is exhibited, not
only in their general features, but
also, in minor characters; in details;
in the mental attitude of their respect
ive adherents; in conduct, and in re
sults. Their adherents, both, have the
same unfaltering faith iu the truth of
their theories; and success has re
fused, in equal degrees, to crown their
respective efforts. Alike persistently
admonished of the fallibility of their
minor judgment, by the uniform fail
ure of their mechanical and legislative
contrivances to transform their theories
into demonstrated facts; (hey equally
fail to perceive the legitimate infer
cnee; that their general theories may
be equally erroneous. 