Hence his demonstrations of their absurdity and falsity are equally applicable to our time and country as to his.

They may have even greater force among us if they thoroughly dispel the notion that Protection is an "American system." Surely they cannot do less than this.
There are one or two arguments current among the protectionists of the United States that were not rife in France when Bastiat wrote his _Sophismes_.

It is said, for instance, that protection has failed to achieve all the good results expected from it, because the policy of the government has been variable.

If we could have a steady course of protection for a sufficient period of time (nobody being bold enough to say what time would be sufficient), and could be _assured_ of having it, we should see wonderful progress.

But, inasmuch as the policy of the government is uncertain, protection has never yet had a fair trial.