The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1820-02-08

article or what price would afford fair profit To
the manufacturer, but how much The necessities
of the consumer would enable them teextert
OF this spirit we had a su iIicient speeinien dur
ing our late war with Great Britain.
g In reply to these arguments we are told,
that many manufacturing establishments have
been ruined for want of protecting duties We
doubt not the fact of rum but we mere than
doubt the cause assigned for il. We strongly
suspect, that on far investigation, most OF the
failures may be accounted for very differently.
For instance: 1st, BY embarkng IN business on
fictitious capitals, the sudden recall of which, left
the adventures as they originally were, without
funds. Cd, Engaging in spoculatious unconnect-
ed with their factories and by the failure of these
runing their establishments. 81, From the i'm
patience OF growing rich, by the gradual accumu-
laton of moderate gains, stimulating them 10 at
tempt establishments and projects beyond their
means. Few we believe, ofthose who commence
ed with real capitals, aud pursued their busi-
ness prudently, have failed to.improye their for
tunes. The greater part OF this description o
persons acknowledge, with honest oaador, that
they are sufficiently protected. But, we have
forced none o. our fellow citizens 10 embark their
capitals in the precarous speculation OF eslao-
fishing manufactures, perhaps before their time
nay, as they have voluntarily involved themselves
views purely selfish, and founded Oh the ialla-
cioss prospect OF protracied war-we rea-
son why they should call upon US 10 ieinslate
them by heavy sacrifice and this too, al time
when il is with the utmost difficulty any of can
fulfil our own personal engagements, aud many
are reduced to the necessity Of sacrificing their
property to satisfy their creditors. Under these
circumstances, we hope that your honorable
houses will not deem unreasonable our Tespect-
full remonstrance against any increase OF burlhen
beyond the necessary expenses Of our govern
ment.
"One favcrite argument insisted on by the
manufacturers, is so offensive a LIBEL on the great
body Of the American people, that indis, alton
will not suffer Us to pass 1t unnoticed, 10 wit
That the establishment of home manufactures is
necessary to keep the people firm TO their duty,
in time of war. Thus than iusinuatng,
that the millions OF independent high minded
agricul uralists who people our extensive terrific
ry, constituting, at once, the pride aud the
strength Of the nation, are to be taught the value
ofindepe ndence, and the necessity OF selidsfsnce
by the operations Of an inconsiderabie number Of
manufacturers scattered through the country.
p" In every nation, with whose internal affairs
we are IA nilarly acquainted, the landed interest
has been proverbial fop liberallty, IN comparison
with any other class; and proudly believe
the day will never arrive, wnen the American
yeoman will not suffer himself patiently to be
shorn TO the quick, In defence OF the indepen-
dence or honor Of his country, while, IL" you but
touch bristle OF the manufacturing interest,
the whole sty is v an uproar." Newish not to
be placed under such protection, especially when
their projects Tor safety are accompanied by the
expression OF the alarming sentiment, that they
consider the election OF a President, a Goyernor
or a Representative Of the people, as uninterest
ing, in comparison with a question on the iabri-
cation OF drugsets, calico and penknives.
"The sIeclous vision Of supplying all our own
wants by our own labor, aud thus being snabied
t. insulate ourselves from the other members OF
the human fam we look upon as mere phan.
tom conjured up for the purpose Of Turing US into
a prohbtory system. Could such vision be
realized, we would depreea,e its influence as e.
qualIy hostile to the advancement of science and
duration ofliberty. We do not envy the conii. /
ton Of the Chinese, the only people completely
abandoned 10 this chimera amongst whom, see
ence has been retrogade Tor thousand years
the whole energies Of the human mind redaced TO
servile talent Of imitation, and man degraded
to a state Of abjsct grovelling slavery. Compare
the timid slave creeping through shadows IN his
clumsy junk with the American seaman :. among
tho tumbling mountains ice in the arctic circle
penetrating TO the Antpodes, and engaged under
the frozen Serpent Of the SOUTH" ."fet we
know, that he has not been squeezed into this
hardy form, or inhaled sG,s daring spirit, ironithe
CONSTANTS Of a watohfui and suspicious govern
ment, but that through a wise and salutary neg
lect, generous nature has been suffered to tax. |
its own way To perfection !" We are firmly per
suaded, that the best interests of men, and OF
nations, are promoted by free and extensive in
tercouIse one with another. The great object q |
nations ought to be, 10 procure the greatest pos
sible quantity produce, with the least possible
expenditure Of labor and oapital.n