Owing to the sophism which we are about to unveil, the petitioners
merely reproduced the doctrine of _protection to national labor_,
adding to it, however, another folly.
What is, in effect, the prohibitive system? Let us listen to the
protectionist: "Labor constitutes the wealth of a people, because it
alone creates those material things which our necessities demand, and
because general comfort depends upon these."
This is the principle.
"But this abundance must be the product of _national labor_. Should it
be the product of foreign labor, national labor would stop at once."
This is the mistake. (See the close of the last chapter.)
"What shall be done, then, in an agricultural and manufacturing
country?"
This is the question.
"Restrict its market to the products of its own soil, and its own
industry."
This is the end proposed.
"And for this end, restrain by prohibitive duties the entrance of the
products of the industry of other nations."
These are the means.
Let us reconcile with this system that of the petition from Bordeaux.
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