Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-09-04


the slightest injury. The di ference between the
two processes, il the difference between forced
and a natural state. Which can be safely
trusted, government or nature. by which, we
mean those great principles which constitute the
ground work of human actions, the leading oi
which is that man is prone to better HE cond-
ton, and ill, when left to himself, seek that srn
ployment which is best calculated TO consuminate
this high purpose. Let us compare the operation
OF the two systems the governmental s the natural
aud from thence dedure our conclusions When
these United Stales severed their connection with
"reat Britain, they were dependant upon the Mo-
ther Country for almost every article of Irimsry
necessity, the product Of mechanical skiil--our
shoes, hats, nails. nay. almost every thing was inn
ported. What has been the consequence OF leaving
men 10 select their employments, and 10 pursue
them without the interposition of government,
except in far revenue concerned? The
question is answer Ell by mere glance at our con
diiion, befors the zeal in behalf of manufactures
manifested itself on the part If the Government.
Every article, which it was to our interest to man
utaciure, was produced. The advance which was
made In the mechanical arts, would have borne
favorable comparison with that ever made by any
other people ON the face OF the globe Tia, adj
vance Mas gradual but steady sccpmnio 'aiipg it.
self according 10 great, but too often. ,nsapplied
principles of political economy, 10 the wants and
demands of society. The raw material, iron for
example, WAS al hand. and we no longer looked
abroad for mails, Sc. SC. The beaver furnished
his fur, and we looked no longer ab: o'd for hats.
IS, with other articles, which were manufactured 10
snch an extent as to have excluded almost entirely
foreign articles of similar description. Such too,
in the process of time, would have been the effect
of cotton. Like the iur OF the beaver and ore from
the mine, cotton was ;he production of the soh,
and it only required that society should make the
demand, and the loom and shuttle would have been
promptly introduced. The same remark applies
20 wool and wooen goods. When the farmer
finds j; to his interest TO convert his arabic nto
pasture land then will he devote himself 10 lhei
raising OF sheep. and governmental sc,ion will not
be necessary TO instruct him in the lessons Of selIt
interest See, then, the huits of this system 81
nature. Its results all sslutaTy, yet force l.
applied. The national wealth and prosperity is
increased, while the government is unknown i the
operation No injustice is complained of States
stand not afrayed against each other. The current
of society flows on smoothly aud unnterrupteGly,
and all is tranquil Let US now reverse the pie
iure. From the moment that Government b-gins
rointerere, The appearance OF things Is changed.
The minis of men become unsettled. The North
talks of policy, while the South decaims against
Injustice. Foreign trade il senslbly affected, and
exotic, tIansplanted into soil. is only kept
alive, even after having taken root, by govern
mental nurture; and thereby furnishes the best evi
dence of its being unsu,ed 10 our present condi-
ton. Such The fruits OF the efforts to force
this system. 1t is impossible for governments 10
ploym-nt OF capital without producing injury The
policy oil encouraging particular empIoymentss
produces, SO far capital is concerned, TO cerl
tain extent, the effects OF war. War CAUSES a
change Of the current in which capital ordinarily
hows. The empoymens of peace being found
longer profitable, many driven TO give a
new direction TO then lsbors, anil to make new
Investment OF their capital. While the forced
state lasts, they realise great profits, but the return
of peace suspicious 10 the interests OF the great
body of the people, often proves Tuinous TO them
The few injured, but the many are benefited.
Governmental agency acts more impeiiousiy-foT
MILE il benefits The few i, Injuries the many. By
it, means capital is Withdrawn from other employ
rnenis, and seeks nvesment in manufacturing es-
Adjustments Thus the Tanner experiences de-
probation in the value OF bis land, and the ship
owner sustars loss in his employment. The loss
is aggravated, by being thrown them suddenly.
violent action is produced, and injury is the
cesssry consequence. Thus effects which, spring.
ing up under The influenced of natural causes would
be blessings 20 society, when brought about by gc~
vernmental interference, are converted into curses
y our memoTialists, then, conceive that there -
much wisdom in the demand made by the agricu-
turistst to be let alone. Men will understand their
interests better than Governments can possibly do
and, in the fuIness OF time, those things will
be accomplished by the operation OF natural causes,
which not yet ripe for accomplishment.
These truths plain and obvious. There are
Others equally 80. II may be asserted as a sound
political axiom, that the less any Government is
felt the better The great end of its institution IL
protection to our persons and property. This is
all that we ask of it, While it extends this pro-
tetiion, let it approximate, near possible, 10
that invisible agency by which the Universe is go
vsrnei. With feeling of perfect security under
its yise dspensaiions, let Us continue free agents
smenabie only 10 those laws which are exacted tor
our own protection and that of fellow men.
Thus would the happiness of all be advanced aud
liberty be perpeuslsd
Independent of the loss inflicted on your me-
rnoraIists and their brother sgIeuliurists along
with other classes of society, they dslIecate the
evils which will arise TO the United States by the
enr Encouragement ended 10 manula cturng industry
They have already unfoded some of the reason,
which have led TO this conviction. Others re-
main 10 be exhibited. The obvious effect of such
encouragement is TO direct men f,o,n the cultva
ton of the soil and fix them in rnanufactories-
This has evident tendency check emigration
and thereby TO diminish the revenue, arising from
the sales Of the public lands. The price OF those
lands must. OF necessity, diminish proportion AZ
The competition TO acquire them dninishes Blu
This may be regarded as an incon iderabie evil in
comparison with the greater national evil OF divert
ing large portion oil the labor OF the commun ,
from the cultivation oil the soil. Every acre
~ bich il brought into state Of Production i Sc
much added TO the permanent, and under proper
mansg cement, indesiruclibe capital of the confede
Tscy. Ga the contrary, every thrown out o
cultivation remaining unrecaimed Is 80 uuef
subducted or lost 10 that capital. The impOrtan
question then addresses itsef 20 the considsrsticf
OF every Amsricsn statesman, whe her II is OF NOR,
consequence 10 bald up manufacturing establish
ments By high bnuniies, than to subject 20 culir
walton the immense bodies of land. still I,ipg ne
elected within ibe bosom of the States ant
az almost boundess territory the fertility of " hos
coil equals that of the famous delta of the Nile
IT.