From a letter to the editor in the Feb. 26, 1906 NYT:

"Push American goods," says G.L. Hergert in your issue of the 17th inst., which is very good providing the pushing is not done the way he proposes - by asking the Government to furnish the means. He should remember that the Government is not in the manufacturing or mercantile business, and that it has no means except what it raises by taxation. Surely he would not have the people taxed for the benefit of our much-babied and much-protected industries.

Alas, today's government feels obligated and justified in intervening in the manufacturing and mercantile businesses.