The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-12-20
[For the .Massnehusett. Snu.l

For the Massachusetts Spy.
The public attention having again beep
called, IN various ways, to the question, how
far il is expedient for Government to extend
its aid and protection TO certain domestic mar
utactures, both sides OF that question, it is pre-
sumed, are now open TO discussion.
Notwithstanding the high duties which
we're laid by the last Congress upon foreign
fabrics, for the benefit and protection of do
mestic manufacturers, yet it seems that e.
nough has not been done to enable them to
sell their goods at profit. They now COM
plain that, in spite of the advantages which
these duties create in their favor, the British
continue to furnish our market with goods at
cheaper rate to the consumer than can be fur
nished by themselves; and we are given TO
understand that application will be made by
them TO Congress for further legislative en-
couragement. We are told that it is for the
interest Of the community that our own manu-
features should thrive and prosper, aud that
all classes of people will be benefited by a
system of policy which shall compel the con-
sumner to look at home for supply of manu-
featured articles, although they may cost more
than those which are procured abroad.
1t is veil enough that the public mind
should be prepared for these additional claims
upon the bounty of Government, and il our
public gazettes furnish true indication of the
popular sentiment, that sentiment, it must be
admitted, is in favor of granting TIE boon re-
CURED. If the clamors of one class OF people
have not drowned the voices of all the others.
we may conclude either that they are con
WINGED by arguments, or are careless as to the
result However this may be, no individual,
who entertains opinions, different from those OF
I'M ~lNN
pressing them. Freedom of inquiry upon all
subjects is fundamental principle in our Gov
eminent. Ii, then, | am unable TO see the
wisdom of that policy, which regards the par
ticular interests of one set Of men more than
those of another, | trust that no other apology
is necessary for offering my views upon sub
Ject which concerns us all.
In the course of this discussion, it vii! be
far from my intention 10 create preiudices a
gainst manu- acturers, or in any degree to dis
parage the business in which they are engsg-
ed. SO far from feeling any hostility towards
that branch Of industry, | can truly say that
the prosperity and glory of our country, as ex-
hibited in the fourishing condition of such OF
our manufacturing ests blsbments as are OF
natural growth, never fail TO excite in me
feelings OF pride and exurtatiop. That impor-
tsnt benefits are to be derived TO this country
from that source, so long as il is permitted to
send them forth without too many artificial
regulations, and to adapt itself by gradual and
natural means to the powers, the wants, and
the condition of the people, surely none will
deny. lfindustry be the great fountain Of ma.
tional wealth, then, by diversifying and mul
tiplyipg the objects of labor, according to the
various and diversified talents of the people
so that all may find some suitable employment
who have powers to exert, the streams o
wealth will also be multiplied and enlarged
for, where none need be idle, there will gene
| rally be incentives enough to industry.
| On the other hand, it is no less an axiom il
the science of political economy, that human
labor ought always to be directed to those pur
suits in which it can be the most profitabl,
employed; and that it would be unwise in any
Government to invite or force it into channel
where its energies must he cramped, or its eff
iects limited by unnatural restraints. If. there
fore, it can be shown that the same labor
when left free to seek its own employmen Mt
would be more productive than when it is di
rectcd by legislative regulations or il, by thu
encouragement afforded any particular enter
prise or business, one class of people are bene
fitted at the expense Of the other classes, anc
! the gain on the one hand is more than coun
| IStNoilCh ny Tie iOsS vi Lie OhIcts IL WCul0 re
1uire no further argument to prove the IN
soundness of the policy of making such regu
lations or affording such partial encouragement
| : 1t shall be my endeavor to state lew COB
siderations, which satisfy my mind that Tia,
project OF laying heavy duties upon articles o
foreign manufacture, for the purpose of ena
| bling our own citizens to manufacture simIla
| articles with profit to themselves, must neces
sarily operate injuriously to the general inter
ests of this country. II will be attempted
alSo, to answer some of the most prominent ar
guments which have been resor.ed to in sup
port of a contrary doctrine. la executing th
undertaking, my course of reasoning and illus
trations shall be plain and ,ateligible to tn,
common reader. The subject has been to,
often obscured by subtle and refined srgu
ment, and has become abstruse by being alb
strusely handled. There are those who ar,
never willing to arrive at their conclusions by
plain and easy methods, bat will plunge to thu
| bottom when the truth lies at the surface. II
many instances, the results flowing from polit
cal measures cannot be distinctly seen ia
| large community; nor can political events al
ways he certainly traced to their origin. Ii
attempting to run back, therefore, from effects
| to their supposed causes, we are liable 20 be
deceived by appearances of an equivocal char
acter. The present question, however, does
not appear TO me to be very difficult Of solu.
ton. There are a few plain principles, of a
practical nature, which, if carefully observed
can hardly fail to guide us to safe and accu.
| rate conclusion.
The further consideration of the subject
must be deferred to another week.
| 2UBLIUs.