Sophismes Economiques English with Notes

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1846 Excerpt: ...of our petition. " Gentlemen,we foresee your objections, but you will be unable to oppose to us one which is not to be found in the works of the partisans of free-trade. We defy you to pronounce a word against us, which may not be tamed against yourselves, and against the principles which govern all your policy. " If you tell us, that although we may gain by this protection, France will be no gainer, because the consu G mer will be burdened with the cost, we shall reply:--'That you have no right to consider the interests of the consumer. You have sacrificed them in all cases where they have been opposed to those of the producer. You have done so to encourage industry, to extend the boundaries of industry. For the same reason you must do so now.' 5' You have already met this objection yourselves. When you were informed that the consumer was interested in the free importation of iron, of coal, of sesame, of wheat, and of stuffs, you answered, 'It may be' so, but the producer is interested in their exclusion.' Now if the consumer is interested in the admission of natural light, the producer of artificial light is interested in its exclusion. " But you will go on to say, the producer and consumer are one. If the manufacturer gains by protection, he will bring gain to the agriculturist. If agriculture flourishes, the demand for manufactured goods will be increased. Now if you give us the monopoly of lighting during the day, in the first place, we shall buy a vast quantity of tallow, of coals, of oil, of wax, of resin, of spirits, of silver, of iron, of bronzes, of cut--glass, as materials for our trade, and again we, and all those who furnish our materials, having become rich, will become great consumers, and...