Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-06-25
VOLUME III....NUMBER 13.
ma. CALHOUN AND THE AMERICAN SYSTEM.

E-otracts from DIr Calhoun's Sheech. on Af,. RandoIhh's motion 70 strike out The mimi
 n9nm pa(u0tion of Cotton Goods in fhe
 Honae oj Representatives., .Ahyfl. 1916
 The debate heretofore, on this subject ha. been on the degree of protection which ought to De afforded to our cotton and woollen manu- tactures; all protesting to be friendly to those infant establishments, and to be willing to ex- tend to them adequate encouragement. The ! present motion assumes new aspect It is introduced, professedly on the ground that manufactures ought not to receive any encour- agement; and will, in it's operation, leave our cotton establishments exposed to the competi- ton of the cotton goods Of the East Indies, which 1t is acknowledged on all sides, they are not capable of meeting with success, without the provisions proposed to be stricken out by the motion now under discussion. Till the de-. bate assumed this new form, he determined to be silent participating as he largely did, in that general anxiety which is felt, after so long and laborious session, to return to the bosom of our families. But on a subject of so much vital importance, touching as it does, the security and permanent prosperity of our country, he hoped that the House would in dulge him in few observations.
 | To give perfection to this state of things, it will be necessary to add, as soon as possible, | a system ct lnteIpal Improvements, and, at | least, such an extension of our navy, as will prevent the cutting oH our coasting trade.- The advantage of each is so striking, as not to require illustration, especially after the ex- perience of the late war
 He firmly believed, that the country is pre- pared, even to maturity, for the Introduction Of manufactures We have abundance of re; sources, and things naturally tend this mo- ment ill that direction, A prosperous com merce has poured an immense amount of ca pital into this country. This capital has, till lately, found occupation in commerce but that state of the world which transferred it to this country, and gave it active employment, has passed away, never to return. Where shall we now find full employment for our prodigious amount of tonnage? Where mar- kets for the numerous and abundant products of our country? This great body of active capital, which for the moment, has found sufficient employment in supplying our mar kets, exhausted by the war, and measures preceding it, must find new direction it will not be idle.-What channel can it take, but that of manufactures? This if things continue as they are, will be its direction. It | will introduce an era in our affairs, in many respects advantageous, and ought to be coun- tenanced by the Government. Besides, we have already surmounted the greatest difficult ty that has ever been found in undertakings of l lures are not to be mtroduced-they are d. ready introduced to great extent freeing us entirely from the hazards, and, in great measure, the sacrifices experienced in giving the capital of the country a new direction.- The restrictive measures and the war, though not intended for that purpose, have by the necessary operation of things, turned large amount of capital to this new branch of indus try. He had often hcardit said, both in and out l (s .,,I, nifty the country for all it's losses. Solight was this tone of feeling, when the want of these es- tablishments was practically felt, that he re- membered, during the war, when some ques- tion was agitated respecting the introduction of foreign goods, that many then opposed it on the ground of injuring our manufactures | He then said, that war alone furnished suffi- cicnt stimulus, and perhaps too much, as 1t would make their growth unnaturally rapid but that, on the return of peace - would then be time to show our affection fo ovFthem. He, at that time, did not expect an apathy and evasion to the extent which is now seen. But it will, no doubt, be said, if they are so far established, and if the situation of the country is so favorable to their growth, where is the necessity of atfording them protection i? It is to put them beyond the reach of contin- gency.
 | IL has been further asserted that manufac- | lures are the fruitful cause of pauperlSm; and England has been referred to as furnishing conclusive evidence of its truth. For his part, he could perceive no such tendency in them, but the exact contrary, as they furnished new stimulus and means of subsistence to the la boring classes of the community. We ought not to look at the cotton and woollen establish ments of Great Britain for the prodigious numbers of poor with which her population was disgraced; causes much more efficient exist Her poor laws, and statutes regulat-
 ing the price of labor, with the taxes, were the real causes. But if it must be so; if the mere fact that England manufactured more than any other country, explained the cause of her having more beggars, it IS just as req. sonable to refer her courage, spirit, and all her masculine virtues, in which she excels all other nations, with single exception-he meant our own-in which we might, without vanity, challenge pre-eminence. Another objection had been urged which must be ac- knowledged was better founded, that capital employed in manufacturing produced great CT dependence on the part of the employed, than in commerce, navigation, or agriculture. It is certainly an evil, and to be regretted; but he did not think it decisive objection to the system especially when 1t had incident al political advantages, which, in his oplnion, more than counterpoised it. It produced an interest strictly American, as much so as az riculture, in which it had the decided advan- tage of commerce or navigation. The coun- try will, from this derive much advantage.- Again; it is calculated to bind together more closely our widely spreading Republic. It will greatly increase our mutual dependence and intercourse and will, as necessary con- sequence, excite an increased attention to in- ternaI Jpprovements a subiect every way so