Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-04-27

Wis which aillict. our country, if it can apply
one. Is there no remedy within the reach of
the government! Are we doomed to behold
our lndustry ianguish and decay yet more and
more But there is a remedy, and that remedy
CONSIST IN modifying our foreign policy, and in a
doping a genuine AMERICAN system. We
must naturalize the arts in our country, and we
must natnralize them by the only means which
the wisdom of nations has yet discovered TO be
lcfiectual--by adequate protection against the
otherwise overwhelming influence offoreicners.
This Is only TO he accomplished by the establish
mcnt of a tariff, 10 the consideration of which ]
am now brought.
And what is this tariff? 1t seems to have been
regarded as kind of monster, huge and dcfor-
med; wild beast, endowed with tremendous
powers of destruction, about to be let loose a.
.hong our people, if not to devour them, at least
to consume their substance. But let us calm
our passions, and deliberately survey this alar
ming, this terrific being. The sole object of the
tariff is to tax the produce of foreign industry,
with the view of promoting American industry.
The tax is exclusively leveled at foreign indus
try. That is the ayowed and the direct purpose
OF the tariff. lit subjects any part of American
industry to burthens, that is an effect net inten-
ded, but is altogether incidental, and perfectly
voluntary.
1t has been treated as an imposition of bur-
thens upon one part of the community, by de-
sign, for the benefit of another; as if, in fact mo-
ney were taken from the pockets of one portion
of the people, and put into the pockets of ano-
Their. But, is that fair representation oft p
Norman pays the. duty assessed on the foreign
article by compulsisn, but voluntarily; and this
voluntary duty, if paid, goes into the common
eXchequer, for the benefit of all. CONSUMPTION
has four objects of choice. 1. 1t may abstain
from the use of the foreign article, and thus a
void the payment ofthe tax. Q. 1t may employ
the rival American fabric. 8. 1t may engage in
the business of manufacturing, which the bill is
designed to foster. d. Or il may supply itself
| from the household manufactures. But, il is
said by the honorable gentleman from Virginia,
that the South, owing TO the character of GER
tain portion ofits population, cannot engage in
| the business of manufacturing. Now, l do not
agree in that opinion to the extent in Which it is
| asserted The circumstance alluded to may
disquafy the South from engaging in every
branch of Manufacture, as largely as other quar-
tiers of the Union, but to some branches of it,
that part cf our population is well adapted Ii
indisputably affords great facility in the house
hold CT domestic line.
| But, if the gentleman's premises are true.
could his conclusion be admitted? According
to him, certain part of our population, happily
| much the smallest, is peculiarly situated The
circumstance of its degradation units it for the
Their, and the larger part of our population, re-
| quires the introduction of those arts. What is
| to be done in this conflict The gentleman
| would have US abstain from adopting a policy
called for by the interests of the greater and
| freer part of our population. But is that rea
sonable Can it be expected that the interests
of the greater part should be made to bend TO the
condition of the scrvilc part of our population ?
That, in effect, would be to make us the slaves
of lave 4 ,,1o
with my Southern friends, and / am ready a.
gain 10 unite with them in protesting against
the exercise of any legislative power on the
part of Congress- over that delicate subject, be-
cause it was my solemn conviction, that Con-
gress was nterdicted, or at least not authorised
by the Constitution, to exercise any such legis-
ktive power. And | am sure that the patriot
ism of the South may be exclusively relied up
on to reject policy which should be dictated by
considerations altogether connected with that
degraded class, TO the prejudice of the residue
of our population. But, does not persever-
| ance in the foreign policy, as it now exists, in
fact, make all parts Of the Union not planting,
tributary to the planting parts ? WHAT'S the ar
gument? 1t is, that we must continue freely TO
receive the produce of foreign industry, Without
regard to the protection of American industry.
that market may be retained for the sale a.
broad of the produce of the planting portion of
ton in all parts of America, those which are not
planting, as well the planting sections of TO-
| reign manufactures, we diminish to that extent
the foreign market for the planting produce.--
The existing state of things, indeed, presents q
sort of tacit compact between the cotton grow
| er and the British manufacturer, the stipulati-
ons OF which are, on the part of the cotton grow
er that the whole of the United States, the o.
Their portions as well as the cotton growing, shall
remain open and unrestricted in the consumpti-
on of British manufactures +; and, on the part OF
the British manufacturer, that, in consideration
| thereof, he will continue TO purchase the cotton
of the south. Thus, then, we perceive that the
proposed measure, instead Of sacrificing the
South to the other parts of the Union, seeks on
/! ly to preserve them from being absolutely sacri-
! feed under the operation of the tacit compact.
which have described. Surprising the South
to be actually incompetent, or disinclocd TO en-
bark at all in the business of manufacturing, is
not its interest, nevertheless, likely to be pro-
NOTED, by creating new and an American
source ofsuPply for lis consumption Now TO
reign powers, and Great Britain principally.
have the monopoly Of the supply oftbo Southern
consumption. Ifthis bill should pass, an Anne
rican competitor i'll the supply Of the South
woull be raised up, and Ultimately l cannot
douot, that it would be supplied cheaper and
better. have before had occasion to state, and
viii now again mention, the beneficial effects Of
American competition with Europe, in furnish
ing supply Of the article of cotton bagrirr.-
After the late war, the fiux Of the Scottish ma
nufacture Frustrated the American establish
ments. The consequence was, that the Scotch
possessed the monopoly of the supply and the
price Of it rose, and attained the year before
the last, height which amounted to more than
au equivalent for ten years protection to the