FREE Trade! What is it?
Why, breaking down the barriers that separate nations; those barriers, behind which nestle the feelings of pride, revenge, hatred, and jealousy, which every now and then burst their bounds, and deluge whole countries with blood. [...]
I see in the Free-trade principle that which shall act on the moral world as the principle of gravitation in the universe, — drawing men together, thrusting aside the antagonism of race, and creed, and language, and uniting us in the bonds of eternal peace.
Précis
According to the Victorian MP Richard Cobden, free trade is about getting people to co-operate, to recognise that they need each other. The things which set neighbour against neighbour, even race, religion and politics, can be put to one side when people trade, and much bloodshed avoided. (47 / 60 words)