Free Trade.

The audience which assembled last evening in Sever 11 to hear Mr. E. L. Godkin's first lecture on Free Trade was suggestive only of the audiences which listened last fall to Prof. Thompson's lectures on Protection. The subject of Mr. Godkin's first lecture was "Reason why free trade has not made greater advances." In the United States, Russia and Germany, protection never flourished more than in the last twenty-five years. Americans are substantially protectionists to-day. Protection has grown. England's free trade policy was due to a search for cheaper food and a zealous attack against the aristocratic classes. Had the agitation been raised on any other grounds than those of cheaper food it is a question whether England would not yet have protection. England, however, is the exception. As a rule protection has been advancing, because, (1), of the fact that every man is a natural protectionist, eager to keep a market for himself; (2), of the existence of a strong national anti-foreign feeling, and (3), of the prevalence of the idea that government and legislation are all powerful. Protection has been growing, but so has free trade. Free trade was first recognized in our constitution. when no restrictions werned lowed on commerce between the States. Germany, Italy, Russia, Japan, China, the English Colonies, Africa, all speak for the advance of free trade. All in creased means of communication, telegraph, railroads and canals, favor the adoption of free trade principles. National trade has to grow, and has grown, as is shown by the custom returns of any progressive county of today. The acceptance of free trade principles depends on the realization of the need of a foreign market. This need is only just now being felt in the United States.