1850 American Gold Baron

Chapter 317 Britain has Xiangjiang, I have Nagasaki

In an unharmonious scene, today's protagonists Fillmore and Pierce appeared.

This was the first time Liang Yao saw Pierce. Although Pierce was only four years younger than Fillmore, judging from their appearance, the age gap between the two seemed to be more than four years.

Pierce has a good figure, handsome appearance, and well-maintained skin, which makes Pierce, who is nearly fifty years old, look like an energetic young man in his thirties.

Pierce has a proud height of 5 feet 10 inches (177.8CM), a typical high nose bridge, a broad forehead, gray eyes, thin lips, and a head of thick curly black hair.

There is no doubt that this is the most handsome presidential candidate in the United States in recent years.

In sharp contrast to Pierce, his debate opponent Fillmore was bloated and had a happy face.

Pierce's eyes swept over the distinguished guests in the stands, and when his eyes glanced at Liang Yao, his eyes showed undisguised disdain.

This also represents Pierce's attitude towards immigrants of color, especially his support for his opponents' immigrants of color.

Fillmore also glanced at the distinguished guests in the stands. Unlike Pierce, Fillmore's eyes only briefly rested on a few spectators from the south.

Fillmore knew very well that it was the VIPs in the stands, not the passionate people in the stands, who could decide whether he was re-elected.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen, and welcome to New York City's Town Square. I'm Fish, and I will be the moderator of this debate.

Participating in the debate this time were the candidate nominated by the Whig Party, Lord Fillmore from New York State, and the Democratic candidate, Congressman Pierce from New Hampshire.

The focus of this debate will be on tariffs, as well as U.S. national security and international policy issues.

Now let’s ask the two candidates to express their opinions.”

Fish, the former governor of New York State, smoothed his thick black hair, which he was proud of, and made a simple and clear opening statement in front of everyone.

The tariff issue is one of the most divisive issues between the North and the South, and it was also a key issue discussed in the Compromise of 1850. Fish raised this issue as soon as he came up, obviously putting the two candidates on the fire and forcing them to

Express your attitude on this matter.

The North hopes to set up tariff barriers and protect its own country with high tariffs, which can also be said to protect the local industry and commerce in the North.

The South, on the other hand, hopes for low or even zero tariffs, free trade with continental European countries, lower export costs of farm products, mainly cotton, and the import of industrial products from countries such as Britain and France at lower prices.

"Tariffs are the federal government's main source of fiscal revenue, and such major matters need to be discussed in Congress, rather than making irresponsible remarks in public.

The current tariff rate in this country is determined by Mr. Fillmore and his cabinet government. I wonder what Mr. Fillmore thinks of the current tariff rate. Is it high or low? Will the tax rate be raised or lowered in the future?

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As far as I know, the southern states are currently suffering from the 24.42% tariff. Do you think the current tax rate is appropriate?"

Pierce posed the thorny topic to Fillmore, who, while not the most seasoned politician in the Democratic Party, understood that this was an issue that should not be taken lightly.

Liang Yao is also very interested in this topic. After all, California now has its own industry. On the issue of tariffs, California and the Northern Free States have the same opinion and hope to protect California's local manufacturing industry with high tariffs.

The difference is that California already has some industries with high quality advantages, such as machine tools, sewing machines, kerosene and other industries. Due to the large profit margins, there are no strong competitors in the international market, even in the face of retaliation from countries such as Britain and France.

Exports with high tariffs also have great profit potential.

Many states in the north do not have many such advantageous industries, and any change in tariffs will have a great impact on them.

"The tariff of 24.42% is already the most reasonable tax rate at present, taking care of both northern and southern states.

It is true that tariffs were finalized by Congress through final discussion, but as the president, he also has the responsibility to propose reference tariffs in Congress. You are not willing to disclose your views on tariffs to the public in public. I wonder why the American people elected you as president.

What’s the use?”

Fillmore said very clearly.

"Whether tariffs are high or low depends on which country it is for. For the UK and France, our current tariffs are more appropriate, but for Japan and China, our tariffs are obviously on the high side.

Thanks to our efforts, Japan has just opened its doors to us this year, and its trade policy is very favorable to us. I think the United States should also adopt lower tariffs, or even zero tariffs, to engage in free and equal trade with such countries.

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If I am re-elected, this will also be the focus of my work, reducing tariffs on Japan and Far Eastern countries. The Far East has a huge population and market, and we should not only focus our trade on Europe.

We now have our own concession in Japan, a port where American merchant ships can freely enter and exit for supplies, and we even have troops stationed in Japan to protect the safety of American overseas nationals.

This is a competitive advantage that has never been seen before, and we should make good use of this advantage.

Britain has Hong Kong in the Far East, and we in the United States have Nagasaki in the Far East."

After Fillmore finished his speech, he won applause from the audience.

Obviously, Fillmore's speech was much more beautiful and practical than Pierce's answer.

Pierce was at a loss for a moment, knowing that he had lost the debate on this issue.

Historically, Pierce's competitor was General Scott. As a relatively pure soldier, General Scott's military talent and ability were impeccable. But in politics, Scott did have shortcomings, so Pierce could take it easy.

Ground outsmarted Scott in debate.

But now, Pierce has to face Fillmore, who is also a lawyer and has more political experience than him. He has been president for more than two years and is eloquent.

Pierce, who was of mediocre ability, obviously had no other commendable advantages over Fillmore other than his good skin and his drinking capacity developed in the pub.

Britain has Hong Kong in the Far East, and we in the United States have Nagasaki in the Far East. This sentence brought the people on stage and off the stage into a climax.

In the mid-19th century, modern nation-states were trying their best to shape their own modern national consciousness, and the same was true for the United States.

During this period, it is a matter of great pride to be on par with the British Empire at its peak in the Victorian era.

Although the audience in the distance did not understand what Fillmore said, they still cheered along with the audience in the front row.

(End of chapter)