Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-05-23
THE WOOL GROWERS.

THE WOOL GROWERS.
The following article, addressed to the
growers of wool, is taken from the Washing
ton Reporter, pennsylvania Its call up
on them TO take the necessary steps for obtain
ing from the general government the protec,
ton and encouragement of tina, domestic pro-
duc: Those who take part in questions oil
this nature, as well as those who are more I'm
mediateiy concerned, will read il with interest.
The great and increasing interest which the
people in this country feel in the encourage
menl Of the growth and manufacture OF wool,
will be my apology 10 my fellow-cilizens, Tor
calling their attention 10 plan Tor The attain
menl OF further protection. The growth OF
wool is, essentially, an agricultural interest, and
the more encouragement which is given 10 this
branch OF husbandry, the more aid VIII neces'
sarily be given to The other branches, and espe-
cialy, the raising Of grain. This proposition
is 50 obvious 10 all men Of reflection, as scarce
ly TO justify any argument or statement IN Illus
tra,on. l, is we'll known TO US all, thar during
the last session Of Congress bill was reported
discussed, and lost, having for IT'S object the
protection and encouragement Of The manufac-
lurer and the wool grower How lar the with
ering touch of slave holders is responsible Tor
the failure of this bill, will not stop new to
enquire; my object being TO point out remedy
or guard againt future failure, and not TO Grim
mate or impugn The motives Of any one for the
past So far as regard, the necessity OF some
further protection being given 10 both the man
ufacturer and the wool grower, no difference OF
opinion can exis, in the minds Of those who are
friendly 10 the ".7mer,can Sysfem." But much
difference of opinion did, aud does exist, as 10
the rate of protection which ought to be given
to either or both, and hazard the asseriion,hat
the great and governing cause OF that disagree
ment among the friends of our system arises
from The want ofstatsiical information. In re-
gard to the manufactures, with whom, by the
by, this late bill originated, no doubt much and
perhaps the greater proportion OF The necessary
facts were obtained and presented. The num-
Der and capacity of the different wool!en manu-
features, especially in the eastern states, 1t is
understood, were given This was all right *
proper, because the propriety of giving any
particular rate of protection, from The lowest
grade, until itarrivcs to a virtual prohibition OF
the foreign article, depends upon the capacity
Of our country to furnish The domestic article OF
such quality and at such price as VIII justify
its substitution. The observation has been so
often repeated as TO become tife-a bye word,
and vel, ii is not the less true-that, although
the agricultural, the farming, be the great and
governing Interest,"; the basis OF all the other IN
.eres,s in this country, yet there IS total want
Of concert as 10 the measures OF protection and
encouragement. This, no doubt, arises IN part
from their dispersion and numbers. Scatter
ed over an immense territory and forming The
great proportion Of the whole population, the
same facilities to union and concert do not e1-
isl as do on the pari Of any Of the other classes.
Notwithstanding, however, the intrinsic din
Guilty Of concert, there is an apathy; an inertness
want of that esprit du corps, which exists
in other classes, which is much more injurious
10 their interests. This was fully exempIihed
on the late occasion, to which l have already
alluded. Although for months before the last
session Of Congress, it was openly announced
by the manufacturers Of wool, tina, they intend
ed to apply for further protection, and equally
apparent that they were using the necessary
means Of union and concern in action; on the
part Of The same class throughout the United
States; it is equally certain that the wool grow
ers, the aericulturalists looked on with perfect
indifference. Not until the eleventh hour was
any effort made on their behalf, and that prin-
cipally by individuals, generally immediately
concerned as wool growers, and OF course liable
TO the imputation of selfshness, by he un-
thinking and inna,ely selfish. 1t must be APP
parent to all who can or will reflect that upon
the number and quality of sheep in the United
States, and the capacity TO increase that num-
Der and quality, depends The proprety OF CIV
ing any further protection either immediately
or prospectively Now, let me ask, fellow cit
liens, what number Of sheep we have IN the y.
States? What proportion common! And what
Merino? Or, in other words, what is the gen
eral quality of the wool grades in the United
States? Where are the principal number and
best quality! In the eastern, middle, southern
or western states? What proportion is required
and used in families? And what is the gener-
alquai,y of that whichis manufactured by our
matrons and daughters? And as consequence
OF the latter inquiries, what the amount and
quality for sale 10 ,hemanufacturers? Is there
any one of you who can answer these questions