Dear Editor,
April is Confederate History Month, proclaimed by Alabama’s School Board, and Monday, April 28, is Confederate Memorial Day, an official state holiday.
President Trump’s recent 25% tariff (tax) on cheaper imported steel brings to mind Lincoln’s 200% tariff on cheaper imported steel, forcing pioneer families to pay three times higher prices for steel plows.
Under Trump’s 25% tariff, whether buying foreign or domestic made cars, Americans will pay 25% higher prices, for example: $37,500 instead of $30,000.
They will pay 25% more for foreign made, because of the tariff, and 25% more for domestic made, because American manufacturers will raise prices to equal the new higher price of foreign made, including the tariff.
Under Lincoln’s 200% tariff, Americans today would pay $90,000 for a new car instead of $30,000.
Lincoln’s Tax War is the last time Americans fought in self-defense against oppressive taxes.
February 14, 1861, “The New York Times” explained: “The proposed Tariff Bill before Congress is most objectionable. We should be in a fix, with free trade at every Southern port, and a prohibitory tariff at New York. The tariff on machinery steel is 216%; blistered steel, 211%. It will destroy our commerce.”
Nevertheless, February 15, Lincoln endorsed this oppressive 200% tariff, and on March 4, Lincoln declared war and invaded the Southern states, who had withdrawn from the voluntary union to escape Lincoln’s brutal taxes.
Lincoln explained his invasion to Congress on July 4, 1861: “My policy sought only to collect the tax revenue.” (no mention of slavery).
Sincerely,
Roger K. Broxton
President of Confederate Heritage Fund
