Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-08-14

vi the general effects ofmanufactures, Mr. Nautilus
thus speaks Most of the effects of manufactures and
commerce the general state of society ore in the
Ing hest degree beneficial. They nusc fresh life and
activity into al classes OF the state afford opportuni
~ for the inferior orders TO rise by personal merit
and eXrrtlon, and stimulate the higher orders de
pend Tor distinction upon other groands than mere
rank and riches. They excite invento encouya re
science and the useful arts; spread intelligence and
spirit; inspire taste for convencnces and comforts
among the laboring classes; and, above all, give
new and happier structure to society, by increasing
the proportion of the middle casscs." The truth is,
tiat the same circumstances which improved the con
tort oi the manufacturing classes in Great Britain,
have also improved their moral and intellectual cha
racter.
Ofth effects which manufacturing establishments
have had III our country. let take the testimony of
the experienced, as given to the committee already
referred to. AIR. Young of Delaware, sail:-"our
village consists of population of about 900 souls,
NOR. or less and, since the establishment OF
our manaILctory, the moral and rccunury condition
oi us INHABITANTS have materially Improved"
BIZ Dupont OF the Sumc state. saiti,--.iro
pcTicnce OF twentysiX years i'll different branches OF
manufacturing, can say that believe the moral and
peculiarly condition of the labourciS have employed
nave, Us general rule, been materially improved;
ana TINS, believe, Will continue to be the case SO
long as this country oilers TO abour safe employ
nicnt, III the purchase of unmproved land, at a low
price, and 50 long "a the Constitution Of the Govern
n"nt remains free ii is. All the children en-
played in, and dependent factorics are rcgu-
iariY taught in Sunday schools, until they acquire
tolcrabie education"
Mr. C!app, Of Boston i'll answer to the inquiry into
Tie cOmpuratlve state of morals, between the arri-
cultural and manufacturing population of New El.r-
land answered, Il think the opportunities for moral
ana rehgous INSTRUCTION., decidedly IN favour of
Tie manufacturing community; it being one Of the
AfSt OBJECTS OF the popretors of the iarrc establish
ments, TO provide schools, and houses for religious
WOrriip.
hir Pierce Of Now Hampshire. said ''from all nv
observations believe the morals OF those employed
If.tI NrI my ht,, 4
class III society, aud there is perhaps, less amount
OF CRIME and immortality, than among the same num-
DER OF persons, engaged in he otlcF conmon ayoca-
tons OF life
70 this mass of uninpoachabIc evidence fnrtb,r
ud9iton would be as useless opposition woud he
VAIN.
3 That mnnydciorjes ar NOT s,s;ied 10 ON, Ru,,,b
f'c'i' ''st't1f'onS-fhis objection furnishes ready
ana potent argument in discussing all dl. 5tions of
public policy among lis. Ihnse VINO use it. know
ing the ardent attachment OF our citizens 10 civil,
liberty and with what Jealous apprehension they view
every thing tina, may th2atcn it with the smallest
danger constantly appeal 10 these feelings, III support
CT any side they chance TO espouse. They have re-
he'd upon the strength OF the Affection for their sac
cess IN binding the Judgment. III this way Gem ,crcc
the me arts, large cities, luxury, navy, funded
debt, regular military 10 ce. and incorp0r1tcd com,
panIca, have all been succassivclv assaulted But
indeed, w / measure OF policy cGn re named how
ever remedial, or palliative or even positively hnnof
cent It's character, in which some OF these yiriant
'''"'N'iS va Int pHDt NtiIarS nave not discovered
larger 10 republican institutions? Ii they can tho,
''snuit the approach Of tyranny in every breeze y
whether Is tainted Or not it is not at all suprisn,
Ihat manufactures share III the common denuucations
nu', Is ui'S string, however rudclv touched never
fails 20 produce correspondent vibrations in mauv an
honest bosom, the objection must not be past NV II
shall be met and answered.
so lar as this objection is founded OH the suDnoscd
ignorance ana immortality of the manufacturing class
1t has been already amply ref;ited. But it further
suppoSes that manufactures favour an uneouaI dist Ri
button OF wealth, that they tend to create with class
o. opucu; capitalists, another of needy dependents
Who Destowing their votes according to the will of
their employers, naturally augment the natural in
uence OF wealth, ans! may ;!us establish mouind
arsto1racy. 1t is worthy Of remark, that while tb,
right Of general su!rare has been ob,ectnd to as -
wing too much weight to dependent class and rs
thereby endan@crlng the rights of property the Dre
ccGng objection supposes that the same class viii ha
instrumental III giving undue influence 10 properv
but, III truth, these suppositions thruUb onDoso :,
character, are not irreconcileaDle. That extension
u tEeelocvc franchise to the laborinr classes which
aaS taken place or viii take place, every where j.,
our country, tends, liz some wavs to lessen tho ipG
'tce oi wealth" ana IN others, 10 increase il: ana
although one tcndencr MAJ not exactly balance fla,
other, The difference seems not likely To De sufficient
uniform or great, TO furnish grounds Of serious
apprehension.
BESIDES, manufactures do NOT create nm indiron.
lass they, on the contrary, by Ir.isliur if with
employment, lessen its in;i renee and dennrIoncc
MA "hatCF2r may be the dependence of The mann
acturing abourcr on the capitalist Il does MT snnI,
o De essentially greater than that Of tenants on their
a"dord, OF sailors on the shjpowuet or of common
otifneymcn Oh the master mechanic all Of which rn
ii IONS seem to be nseparabla from the condition Of
civilized aud commerce! community; and whatever
nay be their influence the labo,inr c,Te~es snch
influence ilpSt be diminished by that which provdas
or I'm, as manufactures do, new and EXTENSIVE
led Of employment.
But the answer 10 all The objections to mar,ifac-
Fe3 is that wien BY the procsess OF population orr
numbers shall become greater than are NECESSARY
provide food for the community, part OF the eycess
aust Ind employment and support in manufacturers
Ut St'rYc' mere can be no alternative; and wbaie-
yer may be The evils attendant manufactures thcv
ire hIcu'edsablc. BY establishing them. then. bc
aFc The redundancy OF numbers makes them necc.sa,
y, and when ;he standard Of human comfort j. Liob
Is II Is with lis OF present, the same standard or
something near It., may bv the force Of bit be re-
nIn2d' III dense population and the prudential