Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1828-04-23

KIND. j MS - DAt a Nt>'N''.-' ~
reasonior OF his system confntes 1t, as a
General principle. Ricardo has expressly
9stated that when impost amounts to pro-
tecf;on. and gives the home market to the
homo products, domestic competition re-
dnces tbe market to the natural price
The gentleman has, in his report, stated
that all impost Is a tax on consumption
Was the gentleman Ignorant of the great
nrincinle of these books, or did he, know
ingIv misstate their doctrines! ] cannot
believe he can shelter himself behind a
want of knowledge.
In the speech which have published,
the true principles of the laws OF Impost
for revenue, encouragement and protec-
fion are stated and illustrated. lmPost
onerates as encouragement, when It raises
tbe price of the imported product, and
enables the domestic producer to sell ms
nroduct being of equal quality, at the
same nrice. in the same market. When
imDost amounts to protection, and gives
the domestic market to the domestic pro-
dnct Importation ceases, revenue ceases,
and domestic competition reduces price to
the cost of producing and Bringing the
domestic product tomarket. Cotton wool
is perfectly protected. 1t has the whole
domestic market. Impost stands at 8
cents pound Does the producer re-
ceive of the consumer of cottOns this a
mount of impostl If the impOst were IOO
instead of three cents. would cotton be
any dearerl What product in the United
States, perfectly protected, IS dearer' Tor
the amount Of Impost bywhich 1t IS Protec-
tedl Are shoes, boots, nails, gunPowder,
cabinet ware, carriages, cotton cloths! l
call on any gentleman to name the article
which is enhanced IN price, by one cent,
for all the imPost forprotection.
If no protected article be dearer, from
being protected by impost, how Is the
price enhanced by such impost for protec-
ton? fit be not dearer, how is 1t tax
on consumption? This is the principle OF
that speech, and it sweeps from under the
gentleman all foundation for his report on
the state of the finances. The doctrine
is absurd, that impost for protection IS a
tax on consumption. put 1t to the con
science of the gentleman, how, knowing
hese truths. he dared thus to sin against
he light of his own mndl How he dar-
cd to grasp that smouldering and hali-ex-
tnguished fire brand, and whirling 1t into
the airto gather flame, toss the blazing
orch into all that is combustIble IN tins
nationl If might, without improperly,
4 would request gentlemen to read that
pamphlet. | have there explained where
mpost is encouragement and a tax on
consumption. Sugar and molasses are
now almost the only products under
such imposts. 1t was wisely laid upon
them to the intent, thatthese incipient pro-
AUCTIONS might be fostered, and finally
supply the whole market. Domestic SUI
car and molasses must then, if a small
advance in impost shall give protection to
the market, supply the whole consumption
AMI be sold as cheap as they are IN Cuba,
| These are the doctrines of that Speech
ami | did intend to counteract the banetul
ebct of the report Of the gentlemen.
haze said he has possessed himself of II
Ibyplagiarism. 1t is true. The charac,
terwili be fixed upon him by the nation
Boston is entitled to the original honors Of
his political absurdity.
| TIIere the chair again interPosed anC
rmarked upon the latitude and improper
character of the debate.
| Mr.. Burgess resumed.
When am called uponby gentleman
oihis attempted standing in this House
| Fan onlywish that | could control tina
fund of cheap expenditure to the gentle
mn, by which he has scattered 5000 o
| thse imprisoned political tracts, and min
cid them with the political aliment Of tn
ndion. would then, and | Will now
suead the antiGote co-extensiye with tn
I POISON.
He has said aim at political effect
| Sdindeed | did; and as hope to be Il
mercy before that judgment seat where
must shortly appear, do believe, that
this administration should be followed b.
aupther, governed by the doctrines Of tina
reDort and abandoning the policy OF eth
| American System" the independence
these United States will be soon prostrateC
In that event, he who shall have eflecte
that catastrophe, by propagation Of tn
doctrines of 1.-THE Report on the state {
the finances" will have entitled himse
to an immortality of infamy. by far NOR
execrable than that Of hum who burne
the Temple of EPhesus.
Here Mr.. Burgess was directed