Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-02-27

and physical defects which nature leaves with
all her works, to shcw that there is nothing per-
feet here below, must himself be very great
man, and every way superior to him whom he
dcbneates BY this rule, Mr.. Richie must be
more extraordinary man, than Crawford, a
dams or jackson, aud possessing the very qualif-
cations which are most desirable in a President
IA ready tact and Judgment of men, to enable
him to fill the extensive patronage which belongs
to the Office with prudence and ability. There
is another Ittctnao,td in the field!
ENCOURAGEMENT OF DOMESTIC
INDUSTRY.
.Nessrs. Pledsants & Butler,
GENrLFMEN-kuowinsf from your prospectus,
that you opposed to the system l advocate, /
expect the publication of this commu mic alton
otherwise than Though courtesv--yet relying on
the liberality ofyour assurance that your columns
will be open TO political disputants of every COM
plexion, offer the fo, ling for your Inspection
1 am aware how deep rooted this opposition is in
Virginathat it" advocates are generally consider
ed manufacturers, supporting their own par
interests. For myself, pretend to impartiality--
Ii have any prejudices this subject they would
Seem TO lean tine other side never have been
nor expect to be interested in any manufacturing
establishment nut from my childhood have been en-
gagged in agricultural and mercantile pursuits.
II Citizen gf another state.
To Introduce this subject in of its inn
portant bearings, would ask, what has been the
principal cause oftte general complaint throughout
the United States for the last eight years. Why is
it that agriculture has languished--commercc been
depressed and manufactures and the mechanic arts
sicky and dropping? Why is it that thousands
aud hundreds of thousands ofour citizens who were
once in aifluent circumstances bankrupt--
reduced TO poverty greatly circumscribed in THAR
ipcome. Why has the country been drain'd ofspe-
Gle, the SOIL the great basis of wealth much reduced
IN value. whole COuntry ImDDyrrisled For
my part, eau attribute these overwhelming caami-
ties to nothing else but excessive inportations. Our
exports hive not been able to meet these demands
whilst W. have been Teasing upon the luXuries of
the worl'--they have secretly been preying upon
gar vital. But it may be repled-what has this
t' do witt the main question, the encoura of
domestic industry. five have not exported enough
to- pay for the supply ofour wants. let tine
qrtantlty-adelusive hope-For eight years have we
been trying this experiment and have found it alla-
cf.us. Fave we any reason to expect any better
cess III futuredoes it not frequently happen that
Atfa Sop adds nothing to its value FOR what is
ncrttsoa I'm quantity is lessened i'll price-N o it
will nor answer. The tide of unweared success,
whicl eoduced these Injuries, the high price of
prcdu the carrying trade of the world is ours no
longer, nd il IS useless to attempt stem cures
which i overwhelming us in ruin. We must RELY up
on our internal resources, we must reduce our i'm
ports within our exports, we must wean the country
from these expensive luxmies or we Cannot flourish
1t is not the common baggiag the course woolens
which levies contribution upon us which we can
not bear, 1t Is our extravaganza and nery high
priced broad cloths and linens, silks and linen
cainbricks, our Marine shawls and Leghorn bounets
the worthless reinomens and tinseld fppery of the
old world. But il may be said, we cannot change
the habits OF whole nation, use has entail'd upon
us, aud this reform however desirable cannot be eff
tected. know this change must be gradual and
that after all our efforts many will remain the same,
but should this relax exertions? The present is
period well calculated IT, effect retrenchments, our
incomes small and necessity in some instances is
acting with We do not wish to prohibit the con-
sumption of foreign articles, but reduce that con-
sumption within reasonable limits within our me
of payment. We should not discourage commerce
and navigation, but by drawing off part of the ca
pital thus employed make what remains more yalu-
BILE. Wewould not discourage agriculture but by
restraining excessive imports, foster il and every
other interest i'll the country. Do you imagine the
consumer of foreign products beyond his means of
payment, is doing himself and his creditor only an
injury Remotely he eectiug all ,he is sinking pub
lick credit and involving his country in ruin. With
in the last three years to make up the deficiency of
exports will venture to say, there has been
shipped to England only between ten and twenty
millions of dollars III specie ? And what has been
the effect of this-by rendering the precious metals
scarce, (Which IS the actual circulating medium of
country has reduced the price of the soil and pa
rallied the exertions of every class in the commune
ty. Ana now Is THIS To ne COuntQracted! We con-
tend that the encourae tent of manufactures will
have tendency to lessen the amount of imports,
and render commerce a source of wealth and
degenerate the country We do not pretend that
this effect will be Instantaneous, it will be the work
ofyears, but we do believe, whenever our exports
shall considerably exceed imports our hopes
will be frightening and the period of our prosperity
near at hand And how will this affect the great
agricultural interest of the nation. If we do not buy
than SELL will the great staples of our coun-
try be excluded from foreign markets. Such a con-
ciuSion is prepoSterouS, we cannot say what policy
other nations will pursue, what competition we
may have to contend against from the growth of the
same articles in other countries, but do not see
the connection this has with encouragement OF
domestic industry.
II our system went to exclude entirely the pro-
ducts and manufactures of other countries-then it
would have bearing and and important one--but
will again state this is not the and therefore
ii is altogether nappIicable. will now examine
the charge which has been elected by some of the
items of the Tariff before Congress, that the
community is taxed for the benefit of certain manu-
facturers. Is this rea-cxperience is the best teach
er, and will draw my conclusions from the only
article which has had the fair test of experiment.
cotton goods The present Tariff has a fea-
tilre in it concerning low priced cottons, similar to
that now introduced in reference to wooens and