[Pelham]

Citing the Morrill tariff reinforces Eel’s point, not yours. That tariff imposed no taxes on north-south trade. In order to fit CATO’s argument war should have broken out between America and a foreign power affected by the tariff, not between two sections of the United States.

[LifeComesFirst]

"In order to fit CATO’s argument war should have broken out between America and a foreign power affected by the tariff, not between two sections of the United States." Which part of the argument? This part? "Of course, free trade does not guarantee peace, just as protectionism does not guarantee war. Enduring human vices such as greed, envy, racism and intellectual hubris, combined with the power of government, can overwhelm the beneficial influence of peaceful commerce." All other factors aside, free trade ensures nations won't war with each other. Other factors, such as imperialism, racism, etc., can work against the peace-inducing aspects of free trade, but it does not change the historical tendency. I'm really getting tired of debating economics with people who won't even bother to learn how an economy works--they think that their own assumptions, biases, and what they get from political pundits tells the whole story.