Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-06-15


the Legislature OF Massachusetts, and such is .ubs,an
TALLY the course pursued by the Legislatures OF all the
tariff States
have thus far, cor. dered this system as involving
an unconstu OF the power regulate
foreign commerce. with view to besow indirect boun-
ties upon the manufactures OF certain States by impos-
ing taxes ard restrictions upon the OF certain
other States l will now invite the attention of the
Committee TO some considerations calculated to shew
that il involves violation of the great and iundamen-
tai principles Of civil and political liberty. There is
not oi those principles OF vital Importance,
absolutely consecrated by all the historical
associations Of bob Great Britain and the United Staes
than that which secures the people against all
aud burthens not imposed by their
This principle indeed, essentially involved in the
very notion OF se-sovcroment Now, sir, owing TO
the federatve character OF our Governments the great
geographical extent OF territory, and the diversity Of
the pursuits Of cur citizens in derenpar Of The Union,
has so happened that two great interests have sprung
up standing directly opposed TO each other One Of
them consists OF those manufactures which the North
eru Middle States capable OF producing but which,
owing to The high price Of labor and the high profits oca
ptal III those States cannot hold competition With foreign
manufactures without the aid of bounes, dire ely ind-
recy given either by the General Governme by the
State Governments The oher OF the Sc interests con-
siss Of the great agricultural staples of the Southern
States which can bud market only in ;gn
tries, and which can be advantage usly sold only i'm
exchange Tor the foreign manufactures which come in
competition with those OF the Northern and Middle
States Ii follows, necessary consequence, that il
is the Interest OF the manufacturers in the Northern
aud Middle States to prohibit, by heavy taxation tbe
importation OF those foreign manufactures, which il is
az undoubtedly the interest OF the Southern planters to
import as free from taxation possible. These inter-
ests then, stand Giametricay and rreconciaby op-
posed 10 each other. The ncrest-the pecuniary in
erests of the Northern manuiacturers directly pro-
NOTED by every increase of the taxes imposed upon
Southern commcrcc; and il is unnecessary TO add that
the interest OF the Southern planters is promoted by
every dminuon of the taxes imposed upon the produce
tons OF their industry. IT. under these circumstances
the manufacturers We're clothed with the power of i'm
posing taxes at their pleasure, upon the foreign imports
oil the planter doubt would exist upon the mind of
any man, that it would have all the characteristics of
an absolute and unqualified despotism. 1t will be nv
purpose, them 10 shew that by the aid Of various asso
ciated interests the manufacturing capitalists have OBJ
tanned complete and permanent control the egis
ation OF Congress, on this subject great number of
causes have contributed give the manufacturing inter-
est this ascendency The prominent and leading cause
is, beyond all doubt, the natural influence of accumm-
lated capital, in the hands OF comparatively small
number OF men, acting with the sagacy, perseverance,
and concert, for which they are invariably DISTINGUISHED
in matters affecting their own pecuniary interests 1t
is melancholy fact TO which all history bears the most
unequivocal testimony, that whenever society becomes
so lar advanced in commerce and the arts as TO have
produced considerable accumulation ofScapial the
holders Of that capital perfectly irresistible on all
those questions in relation TO which the action of the
government is brought TO bear upon the great pecuna
ny interests of society. Every knows that there
was time, not very remote, when the great and lead
ing feature in the policy of this governments was TO ia
vor and FOSTER by every species of on and boun
y, the navigating and commercial interests of the Ma
ton need hardly add that at the period which al
Jude, almost the whole of the accumulated capital of
the country, embarked in the business of nayga-
ton and commerce.. = 8
But this capital transferred to the busJ
ness OF manufactures, the whole policy of the govern.
mcn and the political principles of entire region OF
country-on the subject of free trade and commercial
restrictions-underwent corresponding change One
would almost magine who had been long enough in
Congress to have witnessed this extraordinary political
transmutation-that the New England Members of Con-
gress sent here the representatives of capital and
not OF numbers, so implicitly have they followed its d-
rccion. q
Sir oc ., Il, "a.
sble OF the influence of large capitalists upon the MEM
bers of this House, all questions affecting their pecu-
liar interests 1t is not TO be disguised that or three
wealthy ironmasters in Congressional District will ex-
ercse influence the representative here than
all the rest of his constituents united upon the question
OF increasing or diminishing the upon foreign iron
he same Is equally true TO the sugar planters salt
makers, and manufactures of and wooden fabrics
1t is not difficult matter 10 account for this influence of
capital, employed in manufactures. do most confident
y believe, that two three large establishments
red by white laborers who were entitled TO vote M
elections would be overmatch for all the other inter-
ess in any Congressional District of the Union. have
seen enough even in my district, to convince me-
that even that forms no exception 10 the general rule
= have laid down.
. What number Of farmers, scattered over the coun-
try, and unaccusomed 10 combination could resist the
influence of three large manufacturing capitaists
each having three hundred free Iaborers in his empov.
men entitled TO vote Upon any question ade citing the
interest oil the manufactures, three thousand farmers
would hold no competition with them. In the frs,
place, there would be perfect unity of action among
me capraH'ts 'hemselveS on the uesion, for
pe--vaI 10 their own interessof inducing Con
10 give them bounty, impose a prohibitory duty
having the same effect. In the second place. all the
'ahorers in their employment would upon the most OBJ
vou principles Of human action give their vote in such
way as to crafty the wishes and promote the interest
Of their employers This would indeed be IN air own
interest In the third place, considerable number OF
farmers and other parsons in the vicinity ohese manu-
featuring establishments, would find market for a
great number Of agricultural productions which would
otherwite no Of scarcely any value 10 them All these
causes would produce persc unity Of action, amongst
connected with the manufacturing Establishments and
all their efforts in political would be directed Ia
gle objeetthe protection of the manufacture In
which they engaged or inesreied Whatever d.
vision might take place among other inere SITS of the
district you would find the manufacturers dvi.
ded. Every candidate for popular favor would he made
to understand, that the consolidated vote of this
featuring interest would be given against him. unless
he would promise to support their applications for the
bounty and OF protection Of Congress- In this manner
II would come 10 pass tia; the contest between ths
manufacturers and the farmers would be like that be.
tween regular soldiers and unframed militia men In
which superior discipline would overbalance superor
numbers. Men coDederaied together upon selfish and
interested principles, whether in pursuit of the Offices
or the hounes OF Government are ever more active
and vgilant than the great majority, who act from die
Interested and patriotic impulses Have we not wit.
messed it on this floor, Sir? who ever knew The tariff
men TO divide any question affecting their fede
rated nterests' " you propose reduce any one of
the duties. matter how obvious the expedencv Of
the reduction they will tell you If not in plain verbs
at least by their conduct that the duty Won propose 10