Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1829-08-27
POH.HTICAE..
From The VFginia Literary Mwntm.
THE POLICY OF ENCOURAGING MANU-
Il Nj

FACTURES.--No. 8.
We must now place The Manufacturer by the
side of the kgricnllurisl .-JcBtrsom.
We come now to the fourth OF the ohjec
lions that we proposed TO consider, which
IS
That public encouragement 10 manufactures,
TeUeetitat poatd be injurious 10 The aationoi
uediM By dipating ia6or and capital from
more productive 10 les productive empioymenis.
The time has been when some oi the objec
lions which have been already examined, were
deemed of greater national importance than
this, but for several years, the latter has almrs,
superseded The rest aud one now hears litile
or no opposition made to tie encouragement
of manufactures, than its repugnance 10 the
principles Of free trade, and OF sound political
economy. The reason of the change is obvious
The particular encouragement sought by the
manula ctureIs, being by duties on foreign ia
brics, the different states Of the Union have
warmly avored or opposed the policy as they
were severaIly abls TO profit by H. Party spir.
il was not slow TO intnse its own peculiar sir-
ulence into the controversy aud thus party
ms well AS local feelings were extended, 10
general question of political economy until
it acquired the absorbing interest OF which VIZ
speaA.
II is greatly TO be regretted that these power
full feelings should have exerted their unpro-
ptious influence IN question so important
and which is not without its own intrinsic diff
hcnlty- The consequences have probably been
Injurious 10 the whole nation-to the party
which prevailed in the contest, as well as 10 the
party defeated Success has made the former
push the policy too FAR, in many respects. Tor
their Interests aud defeat has in some cases,
prevented the other from prof,ing BY its natu-
raj resources, aud pursuing course adapted
To the altered circumstances of the country.
Had not factious and angry feelings minged 10
the controversy and obseured our perceptions,
the manufacturing states would not have wan
ted duie so high rs TO encourage the smnggler
yet more than the manufacturer. snd 10 occa.
sion overtradng, which hi FIRST injured the i'll.
managing aud improv'deni and then the com
muniiy, nor would Virginia and North Carroll.
ma have forborne 10 employ part OF thu ir IL
rrquiued labour in the manufactures they wan.
ted, although the protecting duties had been
much lower than they were
For the purpose, then. of taking a juster and
more dispassionate view ofthc Interests ofibs
state. we propose 10 separate The question Il ON
the subjects with which il has been associate Ell
aud to con6ne ourselves TO the single inquiry
Whether legislative encouragement TO manu-
factufes is consistent With the general pfinci-
pies OF ndiIonhI poIlcy and economy waving
all consideration Of the merits Of the existing
tariff, either as to lis consiituiionaiy, OF its
equal justice 10 the several states, supposing
il he consfitutionai-of whether the prefent du
ties OH imports not too high for the lnfete sis
of the manafatt irers themselves are best enconr
aged by boundes on production. or by taking
foreign competition, or whether such encourage
meni should be given by the individual states
or the General Government When we ar,
convinced Of the policy il will be time enougl
to inquire il what modes, 10 hai extent, art
| by whom, il should be carried into effect, il W,
decide against the policy, all the other question
are unnecessary.
Those who are opposed TO the encouraging
policy, say, thai the disposition of individual
| 10 provide for themselves and their famei
and 10 improve their condition in life. is so
| niver'a, that they require no stimulus fror
the government, and that the same strong IL
centives are likely TO derive better means ia
fur, herring the general object Of their effort
than can he de, ised by statesmen and legisli
lures or il every individual cannot be thus SUI
posed 10 Understand the best mode OF promoiin
his own interests, a few certainly will, Al
when they have explored new channel
commerce, and made an Improvement 10 hu
bandry. or a discovery in the useful arts, II
J rest OF the community will be prompt TO ava
] themselves of these new roads TO wealth. Al
Thus each one will have the benefit OF the $
gacity and ingenuity Of the res!.--That, in Il