Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-08-21


reign compettion--or whether such encouragement
should be given by the Individual states, the Gene
RAJ Government. Whc' we are convinced OF the
policy, 1t Will be time enough 20 inquire in what
modes, 10 what extent, and by whom, 1t should be
carried into cltGct II decide against the policy,
oil the other questions are unnecessary.
Those who are opposed to the encouraging policy,
say that the disposition Of individuals provide for
themselves and their families, aud To improve their
condition IN ic Is universal, that they require
stimulus from the government, and that the same
strong incentives likely TO derive better means for
ldftlcrIg the general object Of their efforts than
can be devised by statesmen aud legislatures or, II
every individual cannot DC thus supposed TO under
stand the best mode OF promoting his own interests,
Il lew certainly will, aud when they have explored
new Channel Ul commerce, anu nladc an improve
ment IN hllsbaudrv. discovery in the useful arts
the rest OF the community VIII be prompt TO avail
themselves oil these new roads To wealth, and thus
each one will have the benefit of the sagacity and in
gchu!tv OF the lCSi-Ih1, IN this way. the wealth Of
the nation which consists IN the wealth OF It's inIivi.
dual members rests for its promotion the strong
est ntSt'RstS OF nature, and that governments
nave nothing moro L. do than give these instincts
freedom OF action, by guarding them against foreign
aggression and internal fraud violence and Injustice
80 as To secure 10 every one the exclusive possession
aud peaceful enjoyment OF the fruits OF his iaDour.-
tha, consequently, whenever species of employ
ment becomes more profitable than another, no mat
ter from what cause whether by the natural Styanta-
gcS OF country, the progress offs population the
commercial restrictions 81 foreign nations. such more
profitable employment viii be discovered and
pursued. That IN confirmation of these theoretical
principles, the experience OF all civilized nations
shows that trade OF every kind has luuriShed in pro-
port ION II free. They further RELY on tho au
thorty Of Adam Smith and other approved political
economists IN support oil the principles. While
they admit, III conformity with those writer's, that
there are some special exceptions TO the principle OF
free trade they mnintan that even those exceptions
do not contradict that principle, bat that they merely
post pone the consideration Of profit TO some pcrma
net object, such as The defence othe nation, the Pc
cuar disrcsScs OF certain classes, and some theirs.
SUCH IS believed To bca idlr, though compendlous
summary OF the Arguments used by the opponents
To every legislative encouragement u manufactures
whatever. saving those that embraced IN tie
captions Just referred "a.
On ther the other hand the advocates for cncorr-
agement say that the principles Of their advcrsares
are true to i certain extent. That, willie all man
kind arc disposed 20 better their condition. ana the
greater part OF them, TO mIbe the Curs necessary
for that object, they sometimes fail do so from r
norance, from Incidence ION prejudice from pre-. cs
abllshed habi,s-That these propcnsites all stand in
the way Of leaving things TO themselves and are as
natural to is the desire to better lis condition
l-Thot all Legislation, all systems of punishment
every species Of discipline for the enforcement Of
moral duties suppOses that man IS either incapable
Of always seeing his interest or not ALWAYS disposed
10 pursue il, since there is virtue to which we
are not urged, no vice from which we are not
dssuadi, 10y enlightened seElove-but that ind
contacts, utter disregard not only oi ir Interests bot
of the penalties of the law.
They say that they also disposed appeal experience
to test the correctness OF their principles, and hy uf proc
that mems ignorance indifference TO their real may
operate in their cnpoymeas they tt sometimes
features nave been planted aud nave Durhed under the o
erng care OF government when they would have been
established without fiat which is nccaSluaiv found
branches OF uae manufactures under tire Dis.
advantages that always attend enterprises make, prob
able that tney might have been undenakrn
y-at some undertakings which have proved very profitable,
owe their accomplishment altogether accuemttat
New York canal has proved profitable investment O!
capital pave far greater interest now any OF
the banks and vet there is no reason To brley. st Would
ar
the most satisfactory ur believing would
have been undertaken If the les stature poDeled by si,
the temporary interests OF country, very different
from its permanent interests aud thai line last which most de.
individuals They moreover deny ha sldr uaauidrtuies
have f1unsied only where aev wcc, fire.: ON lie contrary
they have not been subjected multiplied regulation and re-.
ainr that England where commerce is more exsrc and
other country her navigation laws her system Of and
prohibitions Dounies extending 10 every fabric which can
interfere with any class sutccishor colonial nouou
-he law, OF 'rPenccshpth laws Of her Incorporated
companies form such veHaious resants.o many
clogs 10 free competition furnish least plausible e.
m'nts tai her commerce and manufactures have Gourhcd i
raSoa OF these euonS, ard spit. ofihem and m
the same NtgHq4g system winch mas perfected scholars m
lion anh Westminster schools has perfected manufacture. in
S'heli hlmlngndm and Manchester And lastly they con-
hdendy ask. men always UNDERSTOOD and pursued , inter
e-is now happens ii that on aud even one district
nc1ef than another not materially different from 10 n natural
advantage, whv the couutry al one time than
another Why Is particular fabric made better or cfeaurr in
one town Than auuhe ~ the same ne ghborood? N.v IN
shor, with Tire same density Of population, countries
industrious and ingenious, and others dull indocntund un
WryeL
Le1yns hose general questions 10 balance each other ler MS
now inquire - there IN which labor and
capital may be diverted from their spontaneous course and vet
pass from less, profitable employment IN This ca
VII depend upon the judgment with which the power Is
exercised whether u adds 10 the national wealth dnHnhcs
H. Thee seem tn bc several such
ls nation may possess every requisite f1r the successful
prosecution o manufacture except the manual siH The raw
material may be abundant and cheap the ordinary price of
labor may be not TOO hg and population may sufficiently
dense to admit et subdivision uf crpoymcus aud NJ su
Gent consumption but may be- able profit by these
advantages because II has yet acq eel the dcx ety and
practical knowledge which experience aud Nothing cVpc.
renee cpneTs IL that whore these favorable crrin
stances exist under good system o laws will o. late
he npced by their wants and necessities profit
TINS result, when things len take their natural course IS
sc1nn r work of generation of practitioners
must ito ~ successnh each improving After
mechanic begins To- earn his livelihood 10y his trade improve
ment commonly not very great Hs apprentices indeed
business prOspe and there rs sufficient
prove, b even their improvement gradual slow. Thus ia
was long before the hats and shoes countrv
were ~ good MS those Imported though the materials c,e
az good and some Of them cheaper than n England these
are far from being difficult trades.
may be thought Bog sOnc that whenever country has IN