Chapter 314: Britain Has Hong Kong, We Have Nagasaki

In a not very harmonious 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, the age difference between the two seemed to be more than four years.

Pierce had a good figure, handsome appearance, and well-maintained skin, which made Pierce, who was nearly fifty years old, look like a young man in his thirties and full of energy.

Pierce had an impressive height of 5 feet 10 inches (8cm), a typical high nose bridge, a wide forehead, gray eyes, thin lips, and thick curly black hair.

Without a doubt, this was 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 fat face.

Pierce's eyes swept over the VIPs in the stands, and when his eyes swept over Liang Yao, his eyes showed disdain without concealment.

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

Fillmore also glanced at the VIPs in the stands. Unlike Pierce, Fillmore's sight only briefly lingered on a few spectators from the South.

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

"Good afternoon, gentlemen, welcome to the City Square in New York City. I am Fish, and I will be the moderator of this debate.

The participants in this debate are the candidate nominated by the Whig Party, Mr. Fillmore from New York State, and the Democratic candidate, Congressman Pierce from New Hampshire.

The focus of this debate will be tariff issues, as well as the national security and international policy issues of the United States.

Now, please allow the two candidates to express their opinions."

Fish, the former governor of New York, stroked his thick black hair, which he was proud of, and gave a simple and clear opening speech in front of everyone.

The tariff issue was one of the biggest differences between the North and the South, and was also the focus of the 1850 compromise. Fish raised this issue right at the beginning, obviously putting the two candidates on the spot and forcing them to express their attitudes on the matter.

The North wanted to set up tariff barriers to protect its own country with high tariffs, which could also be said to be protecting the North's local industry and commerce.

The South wanted low tariffs, or even zero tariffs, to conduct free trade with European countries, reduce the export cost of farm products, mainly cotton, and import industrial products from Britain, France and other countries at a lower price.

"Tariffs are the main source of fiscal revenue for the federal government. Such major issues need to be discussed in Congress, not made up in public.

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

As far as I know, the southern states are currently suffering from the 42% tariff. Do you think the current tax rate is appropriate?"

Pierce threw this thorny topic to Fillmore. Although he is not the most experienced politician in the Democratic Party, he also understands that this issue must not be easily expressed.

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 currently has some high-quality industries, such as machine tools, sewing machines, kerosene and other industries. Because of the large profit margins and no strong competitors in the international market, even if it exports under the retaliatory high tariffs of Britain, France and other countries, it still has a lot of profit margins.

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

"A 42% tariff is the most reasonable rate at present, which takes care of both northern and southern states.

It is true that tariffs are finalized by Congress, but as president, you also have the responsibility to propose reference tariffs in Congress. You are now unwilling to reveal your views on tariffs to the public in public. I wonder what the American people want from electing you as president?"

Fillmore said clearly.

"Whether the tariff is high or low depends on which country. For Britain and France, our current tariff is more appropriate, but for Japan and China, our tariff is obviously too high.

Thanks to our efforts, Japan just opened its doors to us this year and has very favorable trade policies for us. I think the United States should also adopt lower tariffs, or even zero tariffs, for such a country to conduct free and equal trade with them.

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

We now have our own concessions in Japan, ports where American merchant ships can freely enter and exit for supplies, and even troops stationed in Japan to protect the safety of American citizens overseas.

This is a competitive advantage that has never existed before, and we should make good use of it.

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

After Fillmore's speech, he won the approval of the audience.

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

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

Historically, Pierce's rival was General Scott. As a relatively pure soldier, General Scott's military talent and ability were impeccable. But politics was indeed Scott's shortcoming, so Pierce could easily beat Scott in the debate.

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

In front of Fillmore, Pierce, who is mediocre in ability, obviously has no other advantages worth mentioning except for his good looks and the alcohol tolerance he has trained in the tavern.

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

In the mid-19th century, modern nation-states were trying their best to shape their own modern national consciousness, and so was America.

It is a matter of great pride to be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the British Empire at its peak during the Victorian era.

Although the audience in the distance could not understand what Fillmore said, they still cheered and cheered like the audience in the front row.