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An effective Continental system can only originate from the
free union of the Continental powers； and can succeed only in case
it has for its object （and also effects） an equal participation in
the advantages which result from it； for in that way only； and in
no other； can the maritime powers of second rank command respect
from the predominant power of England in such a way that the latter
without any recourse to the force of arms will concede all the just
requirements of the less powerful states。 Only by such an alliance
as that will the Continental manufacturing powers be able to
maintain their relations with tropical countries； and assert and
secure their interests in the East and the West。
In any case the British； who are ever too anxious for
supremacy； must feel it hard when they perceive in this manner how
the Continental nations will reciprocally raise their manufacturing
power by mutual commercial concessions and by treaties； how they
will reciprocally strengthen their navigation and their naval
power； how they will assert their claim to that share for which
they are fitted by nature in civilising and colonising barbarous
and uncultivated countries； and in trade with tropical regions。
Nevertheless； a glance into the future ought sufficiently to
console the britons for these anticipated disadvantages。
For the same causes which have raised Great Britain to her
present exalted position； will （probably in the course of the next
century） raise the United States of America to a degree of
industry； wealth； and power； which will surpass the position in
which England stands； as far as at present England excels little
Holland。 In the natural course of things the United States will
increase their population within that period to hundreds of
millions of souls； they will diffuse their population； their
institutions； their civilisation； and their spirit over the whole
of Central and South America； just as they have recently diffused
them over the neighbouring Mexican province。 The Federal Union will
comprise all these immense territories； a population of several
hundred millions of people will develop the resources of a
continent which infinitely exceeds the continent of Europe in
extent and in natural wealth。 The naval power of the western world
will surpass that of Great Britain； as greatly as its coasts and
rivers exceed those of Britain in extent and magnitude。
Thus in a not very distant future the natural necessity which
now imposes on the French and Germans the necessity of establishing
a Continental alliance against the British supremacy； will impose
on the British the necessity of establishing a European coalition
against the supremacy of America。 Then will Great Britain be
compelled to seek and to find in the leadership of the united
powers of Europe protection； security； and compensation against the
predominance of America； and an equivalent for her lost supremacy。
It is therefore good for England that she should practise
resignation betimes； that she should by timely renunciations gain
the friendship of European Continental powers； that she should
accustom herself betimes to the idea of being only the first among
equals。
NOTES：
1。 This fact is confirmed by Mad。 Junot； in M閙oires de la Duchess
d'Abrant鑣。 ＇TRANSLATOR。＇
Chapter 36
The Commercial Policy of the German Zollverein
If any nation whatever is qualified for the establishment of a
national manufacturing power； it is Germany； by the high rank which
she maintains in science and art； in literature and education； in
public administration and in institutions of public utility； by her
morality and religious character； her industry and domestic
economy； by her perseverance and steadfastness in business
occupations； as also by her spirit of invention； by the number and
vigour of her population； by the extent and nature of her
territory； and especially by her highly advanced agriculture； and
her physical； social； and mental resources。
If any nation whatever has a right to anticipate rich results
from a protective system adapted to her circumstances； for the
progress of her home manufactures； for the increase of her foreign
trade and her navigation； for the perfecting of her internal means
of transport； for the prosperity of her agriculture； as also for
the maintenance of her independence and the increase of her power
abroad； it is Germany。
Yes； we venture to assert； that on the development of the
German protective system depend the existence； the independence and
the future of the German nationality。 Only in the soil of general
prosperity does the national spirit strike its roots； produce fine
blossoms and rich fruits； only from the unity of material interests
does mental power arise； and only from both of these national
power。 But of what value are all our endeavours； whether we are
rulers or subjects； nobles or simple citizens； learned men；
soldiers； or civilians； manufacturers； agriculturists； or
merchants； without nationality and without guarantees for the
continuance of our nationality？
Meanwhile； however； the German protective system only
accomplishes its object in a very imperfect manner； so long as
Germany does not spin for herself the cotton and linen yarn which
she requires； so long as she does not directly import from tropical
countries the colonial produce which she requires； and pay for it
with goods of her own manufacture； so long as she does not carry on
this trade with her own ships； so long as she has no means of
protecting her own flag； so long as she possesses no perfect system
of transport by river； canal； or railway； so long as the German
Zollverein does not include all German maritime territories and
also Holland and belgium。 We have treated these subjects
circumstantially in various places in this book； and it is only
necessary for us here to recapitulate what we have already thus
treated。
If we import raw cotton from Egypt； Brazil； and North America；
we in that case pay for it in our own manufactured goods； if； on
the other hand； we import cotton yarn from England； we have to pay
the value of it in raw materials and articles of food which we
could more advantageously work up or consume ourselves； or else we
must pay for it in specie which we have acquired elsewhere； and
with which we could more advantageously purchase foreign raw
materials to work up for ourselves； or colonial produce for our own
consumption。
In the same way the introduction of spinning linen yarn by
machinery offers us the means not only of increasing our home
consumption of linen； and of perfecting our agriculture； but also
of enormously increasing our trade with tropical countries。
For the two above…named branches of industry； as well as for
the manufacture of woollens； we are as favourably circumstanced as
any other nation； by an amount of water power hitherto not
utilised； by cheap necessaries of life； and by low wages。 What we
lack is simply and solely a guarantee for our capitalists and
artisans by which they may be protected against loss of capital and
want of work。 A moderate protective duty of about twenty…five per
cent during the next five years； which could be maintained for a
few years at that rate and then be lowered to fifteen to twenty per
cent； ought completely to accomplish this object。 Every argument
which is adduced by the supporters of the