All apprehension of its future development was dispelled by the action of America with regard to the tariff upon foreign imports.

It was clear to my mind that the Civil War had resulted in a fixed determination upon the part of the American people to build a nation within itself, independent of Europe in all things essential to its safety.

America had been obliged to import all her steel of every form and most of the iron needed, Britain being the chief seller.

The people demanded a home supply and Congress granted the manufacturers a tariff of twenty-eight per cent _ad valorem_ on steel rails--the tariff then being equal to about twenty-eight dollars per ton.

Rails were selling at about a hundred dollars per ton, and other rates in proportion.
Protection has played a great part in the development of manufacturing in the United States.