wounded in his patriotism, now showed that he was a
little disturbed. He thanked Searles for his deep interest in Americans,
adding, "We are glad you have come to study Americans and America." Then
looking the Englishman full in the face he said, "Mr. Searles, you will
find human nature much the same wherever you travel. Nations usually
strive to legislate, each for its own interest. You say, 'Americans work
for the almighty dollar.' So they do, and earnestly too, but our kith and
kin across the sea worship with equal enthusiasm the golden sovereign.
Look at the monuments to protection in your own city."

"What monuments?" asked Searles.

"Monuments to protection on all your streets, built under British tariff
laws. Every stone in costly St. Paul's Church, or cathedral, was laid by
a duty of a shilling a ton on all coal coming into London. A shilling a
ton profit on coal, mined in America, would create for us fabulous
fortunes. Selfishness, Mr. Searles, and not brotherly love, drove your
country to adopt free trade."

"I do not agree with you," said Mr. Searles.

"'Tis true, and I can prove it," answered Harris. By this time several
patrons of the hotel stood about enjoying the tilt between tariff and
free trade.

"Give us the proof then," replied Searles.

"To begin with," said Harris, "I must reply to your first assertion, for
I deem your first statement a false doctrine that 'everybody has a right
to trade in the world's cheapest markets.' Nobody has a right to trade in
the world's cheapest markets, unless the necessary and just laws of his
own country, or the country he dwells in, permits it. Now as to the much
abused 'brotherhood argument' let me assert that, like England, any
nation may adopt free trade, when it can command at least four important
things: cheap labor, cheap capital, and cheap raw material. Now Mr.
Searles, what is the fourth requisite?"

Searles did not answer. Clearly, he was interested in Harris's novel line
of argument for free trade.

"Well," said Harris, "England is inhabited by a virile people, who
evidently believe in God's command to 'Be fruitful, and multiply, and
replenish the earth, and subdue it.' England, with her centuries of
rising civilization, her charm of landscape, and her command of the
world's affairs, offers at home magnificent attractions for her sons
and daughters, that make them loyal and law-abiding citizens.

"It is true that annually many thousands seek fame a