Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-01-04


perceive that the measure of his property is
made potentially full. Discouraging distances
between himself and his customers exist no lon
ger. Through the wisdom Of art the obstacles
of nature disappear He sees combined with
the advantages of a country, of almost bound
less extent, and capacity Of production, the IA
ciIities ofquick in tercourse which compensate,
to small countries, the want of these advan-
tages. He sees time anticipated in the effec-
tive augmentation of our numbers: for, as with
machinery in manufactures, so with canals and
good highways, they change the relative weak
ness Of thin and scattered, into the activity
and power of a condensed population, thereby
exemplfying the highest wisdom OF legislation,
the noblest works Of government, guided by
the intelligence, and stimulated by the energy
of freedom.
! In giving these opinions in favor of domes-
tic manufactures, it is known that other opn-
ions exist on this subject, claiming the support
of distinguished names both at home and a.
broad. For these opinions, as they have from
time to time been witnessed in the discussions
Of the Legislative hall at home, the utmost de-
| ference is felt. Nevertheless, it is deemed pro-
per to communicate, with candor, those con-
tanned in this report, deliberately weighed as
they have been, and uttered as they also are,
under the obligations of official duty. In the
submission ofplans for the improvement OF the
public revenue, none occur more likely TO prove
salutary than those that look to the fostering
of manufactures, under the truth, that, in the
multiplied productions of nature and art in
country, the result of industry and skill every
where diHused, lie the best and only foundations
Of finance. When the people of a country are
universally and pro6tably employed, the ag-
gregate of individual becomes the surest mea-
sure Irrational prosperity, and revenue for the
public occasions will always be at hand, under
whatever forms the Government may deem 1t
most expedient and least burdensome to call it
forth. The facts of the world are on the side
Of these opinions-it being incontesuble, that
nations which have reached the most imposing
heights of physical and intellectual power, are
those in which manufactures have been the most
numerous, and arrived at the greatest perfec-
ton. 1t is more applicable to add, that this
perfection amongst the nations where it has
been most conspicuous, has been achieved thro
the most comprehensive and rigorous protcc-
zion afforded to this kind Of industry; protec-
ton persevered in throughout ages, and never
given up whilst its objects remained unaccom-
plished. The speculative economists OF Eu-
rope are in opposition to the experience that
surrounds them, and not less frequently to each
other, and to themselves, when they would hold
I'D to any one nation the asserted benefits OF an
opposite system. France" says one of her
most celebrated writer's of this class, (but who
knows how to reconcile the enlightened ideas
of free trade with those first duties that every
nation owes to ITSELF SIS probably indebted for
the beauty Of her silk and woollen marufac-
| roo nj th at admin
istration which advanced to the manufacturers
two thousand francs for every loom at work"
The same writer, (Say,) whilst describing the
condition of some Of the provinces of that
country, and which, as he says, wanted nothing
but towns to bring them into high cultivation,
adds, SHAT hopeless indeed would be their sit
uation, were France to adopt the system which
recommends the purchase of manufactures
! from foreign countries, with the raw produce
of domestic agriculture" France still adheres
in the midst of her riches and power, to the
practice on which these sentiments are found
ed Nor is the example Of Britain, up TO this
very moment, less absolute or less instructive.
| The prohibitions, the bounties, the high du-
ties, the penalties, by force of which, through
out a long tract Of time, the manufactures OF
that country have gained so much excellence,
| never III any Wise aOalcu, uh'ii, Wy lhe iS1eh'
avowals Of her statesmen, high in Intelligence
as authority, British fabrics were not merely
certain to continue the supply, immense as 1t
is known to be, of The home demand, bnt to
find their way in proportion, far greater than
those from any other country, into all the mar
kets of the world. The United States, with a
combination of natural and political advantages
as transcendent in number as degree, have be-
fore them these and other examples; the lights
of co.existent nations; the amplest demonstra-
tons of experience, for building up their man
ufactures; and by that vigilant legislative asss-
lance, without which they have never been
known, in any country, to establish themselves
in large or durable pre-eminence. Nor has this
nolicv been found to interfere with an album
dant foreign commerce, in the 'wealthlest and
most Industrious nations. 1t has, on the
contrary, carried its bounds still further;
since every nation, by its habits and position,
will always command superior facilities
for excelng in certain branches of labor and
art which it therefore chiefly cherishes, leaving
to other nations the opportunity of excelling in
other branches, or Of running the career OF be-
nefcial rivalry in the same; by which system
the artful productions Of the world are aug
men,ed and improved, and the fields of traffic,
through the increasing desires and varying
tastes of mankind, as opulence and civilization
Il Tl,l