Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-03-02


incurslbly blind and obstinate. Though the causes
of tin, general prejudice this subject have been
such as have pointed OUT yet il is marvellous that
reasbu has not vindicated her rights in defiance OF
the dorts To enslavc her, The public mind is again
To be- reused on this great national que stion The
angry passions are agan TO be excited, and local
jeaiousies fomcnted.--ls it asking too much thar
men should deliberate before they decide should
investigate, before they denounce ?-It is foreign
from my present purpose enter into detailed jus-
pIcaUon Oh tue Iarih now uuder revision by Con-
GrcsS-Inere 1t will undergo an ample and thorough
discussion, ana If the information which that discus-
sion Will evolve, shall be spread before 1 =. people,
here Is no danger of the result Errors and preju-
aices which have been cherished for years will van
ish before the light of argument and the power of
demonstration. My task at this time is the more
humble of clearing the path before of some of
those numerous distractions by which it is beset-
Ofinvting calm and sober examination of the sub
JcCt-and OF levellng OF those specious en-
roneous objections which have been urged with such
inveterate warmth against the proposed policy.
lam aware what is generally due to the argument
founded on authority. 1t is one which acknow-
ledge in discussions may be neutralizcd by op-
posing evidence. On the present occasion, however
shall resort to il because the illustrous name which,
shall quote, has IN former times given its express
sanction To the opinions now current ia Virginia.
In 1885, Mr.. Jeltcrsons F." Notes on Virginia" were
published In that work tits asserted in opposition
to the established principles of European economists
that tour workshops should remain in Europe
Thousands embraced this opinion at the time, and
have faithfully adhered to it sncc--upon MIR. JEFF
fersons authority alone, it was cherished and grew
up as political axiom. But what is the fact The
author of the sentiment has lived long enouge to
perceive its error and has ingeuously rcnounced it,
nm his letter of the 9th january, 1916, to the late
benjamin Austin is contained his full and complete
Irecantation If this letter were generally read and
calnly considered, its eloquent and irresistible rea-
oniug detached from the authority of It's venerable
writer would alone disspate clouds of prejudice and
delasion. After dilating upon the extraordinary
change whi:h had taken place STAGE 1855 in our po-
ftcal relations, Mr.. Jefferson declares, "h0f TO be
tadepcndeu for The comforts If life, zee must fabri
ctttc them ourselpss." We must now place tie Ma
altfactrer by the side Of The 4g:iculiuralsi. The
grand enquiry ',otc is, seall we make
forts 90 without them at the ,cM Of foreign na-
tion?-iic therefore, who is now against domestic
manufactures, must be for reducing US either TO a
depsniance that ,saio's, to be clothed in skins
and to live like wild beasts III Dens and Caverns
ain proud to say, l AM NOT ONE OF THESE Ex-
perience has taught ME that manufactures now
necessary TO our independence TO our comfort
and if those who quote ME as of different opinion,
will keeppace with i'll purchasing nothing foreign
where equivalent of domestic fabric can be OBJ
tanned, without regard to difference of price, it will
not be our fault il do not have supply at home
equal to demand, and wrest that weapon of dis
tress from the hand which has so long wantonly
welded it."
Quotations might be multiplied from this invalu-
able document, if necessary. 1t demonstrates that
its author is elevated above sectional preudices and
feelings and that he regards the policy of sustaining
and chershng our home industry great Matt
ondl question. 1t is surprising that Mr. Jeffer-
sons opinion i'll 1875 has contributed in no small
degree TO influence the minds OF his couurymen they
should suffer his maturer judgement of 1916 bottom
led upon long experience and reflection, pass
tz,l III =
his brilliant pen has been eagerly sought after and
extensively circulated, but this alone has suffered
clusion and Punishment by the lorerS of free discus,
sson aud The liberty Of the pfess..---- -
The limits have prescribed to this communica-
tion will not permit my calling in the aid of other
distinguished authorities, Sustain and enforce the
opinions of the sage of SIonticello There one cir
cu.nstance however, worthy OF remark. Almost eve
ny man in the cabinets of our country who has been
required TO view the manufacturing policy con-
nected wiri tine Deiareo the ,clole nation, has yield
ed to it. his unequivocal support The present chief
magistrate has more than once invited the attention
OF congress to the subject, and his Secretaries oae-
ther with of the most enlightened statesmen,
America can boast of, known to be favorable.
Very extraordinary pains have been taken to in
ducc the belief that the extension of the Tariff is de-
signed for the exclusive benefit of the Northern
nufacturers. Nothing is more foreign from the
truth. Can il be supposed by any but those who
wilfully blind, that the great of Pennsy-
vania, New York, Ohio and Kentucky, would by
their Representatives consent to system exclusive
ly beneficial to the manufacturing and altogether in
furious to the Agricuturainterests. Facts worth
volumes OF vain hypothesis and unfounded assertion.
A large majority of the agricultural labor of The u.
States, is IN favor Of tie complete eslcoaragenent
gfdoMestie manufactures. This declaration is ha-
zarded without the fear decentralization, once
condemns those illiberal remarks 81 unfounded sar-
ca5ns which are ievelled at our manufacturing bre-
thren. Shall tine Southern Planters, it is taunting
ly asked be tributary to the cotton spinncrs md WOO
len ,.eavers of the north? Shall be dependent
on them for comforts and necessaries Those
who employ this kind of logic forget that upon their
principles already tributary to foreign
nations and dependent upon the looms and machine
~ of Birmingham and Sheffield for ordinary sup
plies. There is nothing humiliang forsooth in a
state of vassalage to ancient foe and maritime
rival, England the degradation is only felt " hen we
are invoked to encourage the industry of our own
countryncn aud redeem thousands of our useful ca
tizcns from Deggary. do not envy the feelings of
hat man who can desire to see this nation deuged
with foreign fabrics and luxuries when our own peo-
PIE without employment and without bread.
But whence originates the real opposition to ma
lufacturcso From the Merchants, and from then,
only! They sound the tocsin and ring Inc changes
through the whole vocabulary of abuse and vtupe-
Tatien. 1t is they who send the panic of alarm
through all the avenues of society. II is that class
of men who body, have been emphatically styl-
ci birds ufpassage, of no country and of no fixed
principles class of whom the great Edmund
,Durk said, that the Compiling House was their en-
pile, the desk, their altar the ledger their bible md
gold their God. And shall the Merchant have the
hardiheod to complain of monopoies? Shall he
for whom tine statute book of the nation seems as if
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