Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-10-06
Tbe Constitutional ggIhlo
Tuesday EUessiasg, Oct. a.

we present to our readers to-day the last number
OF Hamilton, to the Citizens of South Caroline
we regret that we were not able to er;vc 70 or
readers an unbroken series of these numbers Tho
present deserves careful perusal and calls for the
most serious reflection. There is no political sinh
Ject SO little understood, as we think in y;ro;n;
A' school, we have Adam Smith, and other advo-
cafes OF free trade, put into our hands. and from
inc apparent certainty of his deductions, we start
'n lie strenuous for free trade, and feeling utterly
astonished at the folly of forofathers All this
1s as 1t should be, and one can gainsay il: il is
beautiful IN theory, and would he no doubt condu
Give TO tho happiness of mankind, and the peace of
'he world as removing one great source of nation
u Jeaiousy and rivalry. When however, we come
as Americans. looking to the political condition of
our country to devise means for it's prosperity we
ought TO enquire where is this free trade to be
found. The answer will be Immediate NO WHERE.
The cupldity of nations, like individuals. has fos
Tered monopoly, and we, as young nation, enter
the race bound hand and foot, and chained to the
cur OF some older country. Such was our stua
ZION during our colonial bondage; and political indie
Pehuence made us no more than half free, while
we submitted to the municipal regulations of other
States, without retaliation Those who cI,,nor
most at the attempt of our own Government to
regulate industry shut their eyes to the obvious
TACT that ,ohiIe commerce rs hanpercd, as has al
todys been, THE INDUSTRY OF EVERY COUNTRY MUST
BIZ REGULATED BY FOREIGN, II 1T is soF BY DO
MYSTIC LEGISLATION. We must therefore, take our
choice, and the smallest portion of common sense
ought to be sufficient TO decide tho question. The
considerations are too numerous, for u.s. in hasty
essay, to allude to- however is conclusive and
we take 1t In the language of the closing para
graph of MIR. Johnsons letter: ave are secure from
great fluctuations" Not SO while dependent on for
eign markets. Let us take the article of Wheat
Ahis year Tor instance the ports of Europe are
oponed TO us, Wheat advances in price, and next
year double the quantity is snwn: the ports of
Europe arc then closed, and but for the home mar
ket, the product would rot on the hands of the
grower. The fuctuation in price will undoubtedly
exist, even with home market but not TO the
same ruinous extent.
1t Is better to buy cheap, than to produce at a
dear rate, say politca! economists-true perfectly
true. But if the country from which we buy, will
not take our products, what then7 Still it is bet
Ter to buy, where we can purchase cheapest, and
send our products to other countries and get specie
In exchange, to make payments, say political
economists and say again true, perfectly true.
But II we can find no such market-if exclusion of
our products is universal, what then? Manufac-
ture for ourselves is the only answer; and to do
this effectually' protecting Tariff for time, is
necessary. 1t is only for q time till capital and
skill are united IN the enterprise, is proved in
our manufactures of coarse cottons nails and many
other articles, where the duty has become as use
less, az 1t is on wheat, cotton, and tobacco.