Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-02-06
FoR THE WING.
Votes on a. Smiths Health Of .lations.

No. ii.
In n former number attempted to shew that A.
Slniths analogy between the economy of individuals
and OF nations utterly untounded and untenablc. In
ELECT, MIR. Smith propounds his doctrine of the dvi-
sion OF labour as equally applicable to nations and to
individuals, whereas, nothing can be more evident,
than the absurdity of such application. As said
before, the, economy and wisdom of this division of
labor In the of individuals is founded upon the
mite character of the powers and capacities of tile
individual man. His skill and his exertions alike
cIrcuulscrbed But when we apply the principle to
communities, we Introduce 1t into sphere in which
Its action must be extremely limited. But for the
saAe OF argument let pursue the analogy, rath-
err let Us enquire what the circumstances which
c'nbe initV,dAls to piactise the principle of
division OF labours. Mr.. Smith himself will give Us
the desired information. He will inform us that there
MIST be adequate demand for the surplus produce
OF each Individual i'll his particular art nianuac-
ture, by the sale of Which surplus he will be enabled
To bny such portions OF the produce of other arts
ami manufactures necessary to the supply of
hs wants. Unless this state Of things exists, it is
clear that the individual can no longer upon this
principle of division Of iabotr; he yield cir
cumstances; he must divert part OF his industry to
procure supply of his wants. winch according TO
the supposton longer TO be done b. the sale OF
the surplus produce OF ms own particular art cal
ing Thus too we shall find the principle banked
bv the circumstances in regard to nations.
Aiier Mr.. Smith of his living disciples have
parccled out the various arts OF human Industry be-
tween the different communities of the earth,
ding TO some ancicd superiority which each enjoys
relative proportions OF the produce of each, to be
nicely a,ljhs.ed that superfluty shall any where
cYist no excess nor no deficiency of demand sup
piv any where be found, but the whole of this vast
machinery of trade g. commerce, move In "harmo-
NJ divine" increasing the aggregate wealth and So
cial enioymeus of the whole cnrth. But in order
give Mr. Smiths principle OF division oi labor, any
pausioiiity IN lis application to nations, we must
first establish universal freedom of trade together
with universal and perpetual peace. NO Innn OF
sound judgement can Deruse the Wealth Of Nations,
without being convinced that many of its maXiuIs OF
trade and commerce purely abstract and founded
state of things which never has existed, and
which can exist, until the nature Of ami
ct political societies IS radically changed. Mr..
Smiths doctrines when carried into operation Oy
toe, nations of the world, will prove not the an
p-oach, but the actual existence Of comD,ercinj
Jiilleniun Toilustrate the abstract nature OF Nj.
Smiths theories and principles, it will only be
sary point the instance by which he attempts
to show the impolcy Of protecting duties and COM
1rrrcal restrictions. This instance example il de-
rived from the commercial policy oil England towards
France.
In chapter Sd, book i1h, the author regrets
and conicnls the unfrieudly, Jealous and unpro-
fnblc poI!cy of England towards France, and
sr,s5 very satisfactorily. that both nations would
h;vc prJi'ni by more liberal course of colu-
Incrcial policy. Hc says that as far back a. about
INA the minimum duties almost all French
Foods were scventytvc per cent, and that the whole
o! the trade carried on these countries was
nv smuggling; the duties amounting prohibition
the fair trade. lie shcWs that England from spirit
o national annosity, bought inferior wines on Portu-
gai at n higher price than those of France would
have cost but for the duty French wines, and this
Inequality and praciicabity he points ont in many
other instances whereby the trade of these
fries with ono another, much interrupted and
thrown into less advantageous channels THIS view
of the trade between France and England, remiuds
nc Of "A part of the quotation made from Cobbctts
Register in previous number, where CODbctt says:
that the Statesmen Of England were not such moon
blind wrctches as to see imagine that they saw,
in 10 tt,t
her neighbours equal to her own; they could bring
t,,rns Ives down To that hnckster-Ekc state Of mind
which could contemplate profit nnacconpancd By
pocr; and Therefore talk to tbeu about free trade
To'id have appeared like the draining OF an ideo
T. Mr.. Sai'h cin argue France and England any
O'hcr neigIbourng powers OF nearly equal strength
and resources. but ola spirit of jealousy and rivalry
c will eFrc' more, than have any logic OF
my other writer accomplish These rivals,
'}Yl,O.e hir', tprnarcd and abutting fronts
"1he petllprs ocean parts asuuder,"
Willncv braroucd out their jealousy and apprchcn-
son Of another, by abstract maxims of trade and
bloUshl. theories nUional economy. Thrv RI. 0sc