Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-04-02
Communicated FIR The National haeihigencer.
COLBEHT-No ii.

COLBE2T-No III.
First published January s, 1926.
Is Congressional protection Of Manufactures a
riointion Of the Constitution
This is an important question, which has ne
yer, it is believed, been fully discussed. II
ought to have been finally settled long since.
Whenever, Of late years, the question of pro-
tecting the industry of that useful and nu-
merous portion of our citizens engaged in fur
ni.hing domestic market for the flour, the
beef, the pork, the mutton, the lamb, the poul-
try, the vegetables, the spirits, the cotton, The
WOOL the hidss. ae skin ths He +
ron, the lead, the copper, of,heir fellow citizens,
who cultivate the soil, explore the bowels of the
earth for her hidden treasures, has been agita-
ted, formidable opposition has been excited
among those very fellow citizens, on the ground
of the Constitution presenting an insuperable
bar-thus unwisely, as far as in them Law, endea-
voring to depress and diminish the number Of
their best customers and supporters, aud alas
to their own most serioas injury, but too sue
eessiully.
In many cases, the opposition to measures
contemplated or adopted, arises from the adj
dress Of designing men, exciting the passions
and prejudices of the ignorant and uniformed
This is by no means the case in the present in
stance. The Opposition embraces some Of tn.
most enlightened and estimable citizens in the
United States. John Taylor Of Caroline whose
talents and rectitIdr were never called in ques-
ton, was leader Of this school. A Governor
OF one Of the Southern States, Virginia. | be-
lieve, denounced the system in recent Message
TO the Legislative body-.and in tho legislature
OF South Carolina, resolution, declaring such
protection unconstitutional. was lately passed:
"Resofced, That il is an uno constitutional -xer
else oil power on the part Of Congress. to lay
duties TO protect domestic manufae lures
While the intelligence and Integrity Of H.,
| opposers OF protection, are freely admitted, il,
may be confidently asserted, tina, az eaaal nor-
ton of integrity and intelligence has beer, az
| rayed on the other side Off quvs ION.
In this conflict Of opinions. il IS we'll worth
while 10 investigate the subjec' tborouely, and
ascertain whether there be anv Clue 10 Guide ms
in our researches, and to establish The sound
ness or unsoundness OF the doctriae, beyond the
power Of controversy.
The power Of Congress TO impose duties 70.
strictions, and prohibitions, for The protection of
our c'hzens engaged tn commerce, has never been
once i'nPpnSed. And il would We difficult m
prove, that II Is not equally the right aud The
obligation ct Congress, TO impose duties re.
str'clions. and prohibitions for The protection of
anofHer class Of citizens, certainty not less useful
ana al least ten lanes as numerous. unless i, Can
DC proved That commercial men have privileges
peculiar TO themselves, 10 which manufacturers
have no claim.
IN the hr't session OF the first CONGRESS. the
auues On teas imported in American vessels.
averaged ~ cents per pound; whereas. ON those
imported IN foreign vessels, the average was o.
cen's-heing difference Of l25 Der cen, Her.
were duties imposed solely for the protection IF
navigation and commerce. This. single case.
by the last census, the number of citizen. .,,
IN TRaDE and commerce. was about four per cent of
population Heren ,cere included saopkeepers Of OH
kinds More than half TIE number are in tIe au
The country, where there is not single nner.5nn,
Those engaged in what properly styled scomn,rc. !.
are not probably one per cent Of the entire population
md in six ofthe States % per cent.