Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-10-13

medium of the world and the astonishing improve
mcnts which hayo bcon introduced in the modes |
of production. Tho cost of production is less; tho
comparative value of money has become greater.
Can wonder at the result Take tho case Of
cotton goods-thcsc have fallen in price hero since
the enactment OF the tariff But the same thing is
true not only i'll an equal, but in greater degree
nbroad--and the reason is obvious. The causes
which have producod this rcsult-thoso which have
boon before stnted-havo elsewhere been left TO
exert their full influence in ofscting tho reduction
of price. Here their operation has been restrain
cd by tho conflicting influence of the tariff. The
reduction therefore with us has necessarily stopped
at point, which is ascertainod by adding tho
amount of duty 80 the price of the imported article
Thus tho diminution of price hero has not been
produced by the tariff, but in despite of it
and has been retarded by ii. But for this law the
imported, which would take tho place of the do
mestic article i'll the consumption ofthc country,
would DO obtained at price greatly below that
which wo actually pay, and the difference, amour
ting yearly 10 many millions OF dollars, would DO
saved to tho community. 1t cannot be doubted
that the pricos of all commodities, the domestic
production of which IS forced by the imposition Of
duty foreign article of similar description,
raised by tho amount of duty necessary to effect
the exclusion of the foreign article, that this
increase ofprice is paid hy the consumer, and that
the loss TO the nation which is accustomed by this
system of protection, is nearly equal to such diff
ference of price. The success which has attended
the manufacture OF cotons, is used TO illustrate
and enforce another suggestion in favor OF the ia
riff. 1t il said, that by means Of the protection
afforded by government, manufacturers cnn-
bled to overcome the difficulties incident to new
enterprises and this protection IS ultimately repaid
to the community in the reduced price at which the
article is furnished. We have already shewn that
this reduction in prieo in the referred TO, has
not resulted from tho protective system. Let us,
look however, at this Suggestion, apart from that
consideration. If il be conceded for the purpose
OF the argument, and only for that purpose, that
manufacture might DO established by n T. mporarv
! ont hfCh NIL
not otherwise ut least at that time, come into sue
| ccssful operation, and that the community might
ultimately be repaid in the manner which is sup
posed, the following considerations seem decisive
| ly TO repcl tho force of that suggestion The idea
! OF permanent protection is excluded by the nature
OF the proposition. That which is proposed i.
temporary merely, and tho question whether it is
| to DO ultimately repaid to the community is of
course made to depend on tho successful operation
oil tho protected establishment. 1t is congress who
arc 10 determine in advance, upon the propriety OF
putting at hazard the interests Of the community,
by the forced establishment of the proposed manu-
| iacture The question to be deternin ned depends
upon the calculation of probabilities, 10 the correct
estimate of which, much practical in formation is
obviously indispensable. Constituted as that body
u.s. 1T Is difficult to conceive Of one less fitted for
such reference. On tho othor hand there is ALWAYS
enough of individual enterprise, Intelligence and
capital, TO test any experiment which gives fair
promise OF ultimate remuneration, Notwithstanding
! II may be subject to temporary loss Left 10 ind-
Yiauai enterprise, the question would be decided by
thoSc who have every motive and every means 10
come to just conclusou-whc the proposed
suggestion would throw upon congress those vision
AIRY projectors, who having failed to obtain the
support OF discreet and intelligent capitalists
would play the sure game of securing profit if by
the rarcst accident, profit should arise and of
throwing the loss upon the community, if loss
should cnsUe.
1t is said that dependence upon other nations
ior those manufactures which are essential to our
wants, is inconsistent with our character as ma
uon; and IN this view that the tariff is essential to
national independence. To us the term seems to
DC strangely msappcd. 1t is agreed that a svs
| tenn OF Tree trade among all the nations of the
"orld, by securing the application of the highest
energies of each, 20 those objects which it was
best qualIled to produce, would enlarge the a
mount OF production, and increase the sum OF ku-
man comfort. But such state of things would
according to the argument which is urged, be a
state OF universal dependence; and precisely the
same consequence would follow in relation to the
commercial intercourse of any given nation with
the other nations Of the world, to the extent of
That intercourse, whether system of free trade or
! OF partial restrictions should prevail. That in.
tercourse consists III the mutual in tcrchangc of
commodities, and 1T is impossible to conceive the
idea OF a dependence on the one side without re
! cognising the TACT OF correspondent dependence
on the other. But such state of mutual danen
uohcc Is source of graduation rather than of re
gTcl, since 1t gives TO each nation an increased IA
Gritty Tor the development of its highest energies
enlhrgcs the of lis enjoym cnts and affords the
Surest guarantee Tor the peace and harmony of the
world.
1t the suggestion be urged in it's application to
INC necessities oil our country during state of
war, an equally satisfactory answer NAV be Giyen
1t is unquosiionably the duty of every government
10 De prepared for those conflicts with other ma
TONS, which 1t Is not always possible to avoid; but
Tins is most etfectually done by the unrestricted
exertIon of its peaceful energies In a govern
tnent constituted is and separated as il is
y the atlantic from the nations of the old world,
is reasonable TO presume that such conflicts will
be rare. The intervals of peace will probably bo of
much The longest DURATION and our So - m Of per
inanent policy should therefore be regulated chic
with view TO this state of orr national existence
But th9 decisive answer TO this suggestion is that
| money constitutes the sncws of war and that its
cXgcnccs are best provided for by enrichiny the
viii mainly conducc to this object The resources
winch II viii furnish will second the services of the
neutral trader, and these with our own internal
uihcturcs, which already independent of
Legislative protection, will amply supply our wants
IN such emergency.
1t is one and not the least of the evils of the
system which we deprccato, that it has a tendency
to dcmoraIizc our citizens TO habituate tbein q =
VasIons OF the laws, and to encourage the odious
and detostabie practice Of smuggling. 1t is the cE
rect OF ,hc protecting duty TO raise the price of
commodities considerably above that at which thew
could be imported at moderate revenue dutv-
Cnicss tins IS So 1t fails to accomplish its dcstinad
onJect' and IS entirely useless The inevitable con-
sequence Is, the temptation to clandcstie jrnportn
ton, and the facilities which are afforded bv orr
widely extended inland and ocean frontier givc i'm
punity 10 the srnugglcrJ 49,
On the several interests of agriculture, navira.
Hon' commerce. the mechanic arts and oven On
iuanoidctuTes themselves, this system operates
"ith an injurious influence. Speaking viii rer,r