The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1831-02-02
REPORT ON MANUFACTURES.


Of The Presidents Message as relates to the
tariff Of duties on imports, and SO much
thereof as respects manufactures, made the
following report:
The commi:tee on Manufactures to whom
was referred so much of the Presidents
Message as relates to the tariff of duties
on imports, and so much thereof as resperts
Manufactures" report, that they have taxi
en- this delicate subject into full considera-
tlon. THIS was due, alike to the source from
whence review was recommended. and to
the Importance Of the subject itself. They
feel confident that they have done it with
out mingiihg with the operation of their rea-
soning powers. unreasonable "likes and
dIslikes," either to the system oc protecting
domestic industry, or to the views express
ed by the Chief Magistrate.
| 1t is not the intention of the committee to
| present TO the House n mass Of statistics, or
| labored arguments, in favor of the protect
ing system. In the recent discussions of
the tariff, all that could illustrate theory. or
he proved hy experience, in sur own and
o,her countries, has been presented. Our
Government has adorted, and endeavored
TO sustain, by repeated Legislative enact
menfs, policy which has had the sanction
OF Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and
Monroe. 1t has been sanctioned Ivy "the
continued acquescence of the States, and
me general understanding of the people"
commence IN its permanent duration is
warmly INSPIRED. 1t is this alone which can
give II vigorous and successful action. A
system OF protection may appear perfect in
''' S'dtnIe hooks, and yet he useless to the
county, exposed to perpetual danger. Skill
aHeaay matuIed, will not venture upon un-
certainty. The power of invention will
never he exerted, If it has no confidence in
1he promise, and repeated promise of sup.
por:. Capital will never come to the aid of
sklIl and enterprise, if it has no security for
investment. /: must haze confidence, it
must ind solid honesty in individuals, as
well as frmness in government, or it will
! not lie employed
During the last session of Congress, the
declaration was often repeated, that the
system OF protection should and would be
maintained. 1t was presumed to have come
IRON The people, and dictated by them to
their Representatives. This was expressed
ny The most decisive majoritIes In Congress
on repeated occasions.
lis effects, so far as they have been de-
veloped, have answered the hopes of its
most ardent friends. Capital flows widely
and freely through our extended country.
The genius Of our people has bean stimulst-
ed to greater and more diversitie exertion.
The useful arts are improving in every form
NAT stern necessity. or elegant taste may
The committee most cheerfally concur
with the President in the animated view,
winch he has taken of the condition of our
country They adopt his Language in de-
scrlblng that condition. with a popula-
ton unparalleled in its increase, and pos
sessng character which combines the
hhrdlhood of enterprise with the consider
atencss OF wisdom, we soc in every section
OF our happy country a steady improvement
In the means of social intercourse and cor
respondent effects upon the genius and laws
OF our extended Republic" This is the
language of truth and justice. 1t forms a
SUBJECT high and deep congIatulation to
every patriot mind. While other nations
are suffering under oppressive burthens, or
conVnlsed with bloody revolutions, we wit
ness among ourselves, in general, calm
and confident reposc. We see over all por-
tions Of our broad country. prosperity, and
happiness, most equally and evenly ditfused.
Such IS the prospect before us. 1t is the
offspring of our fortunate Government, and
the wise policy which has been adopted of
cultivating our own resources, Ivy the skill,
and industry, and enterprise of our own
people. In considering that imperfection
must be stamped on the highest AMI best OF
| human institutions, it is matter of surprise
that "the apparent exceptions to the har-
mony Of the prospect" are so few. They
| seem 10 arise rather from the exercise of fer
vid imagination, than from evils which re-
ally exist. 1t cannot, however, be expected
that any code of laws, or any form OF gov
eminent, can dispense precisely the same
benefits 10 every individual under their in
fiuence, wherever he may reside, or what
ever may he his genius or pursuits. Nature
herse. has failed TO do this. But, when we
see great nation moving on with stated y
steps, unimpeded, to the height ofhnppiness
. opulence, and grandeur, when every portion
however minute, partakes amply of general
prosperity, it would seem that the "appar-
ent exceptions to the harmony of the pros
pect" might lie permitted to melt down ir
warm Fluctuations, that the prospect" o
our whole country is so nobly gratifying.
i is to this wide and comprehensive prospec
that we NAV safely look for substantial rea
sons to preserve that Union, which it is ''mos
f devoutly hoped may prove imperishable."
? The committee are much grati6ed to hav
the opinion of the President clearly an
fully expressed, that the tariff for protect
ing domestic industry is constitutional. The
think it proper to quote language so clea
and unequivocal. He says, that 4" the pow
er, to impose duties on imports originally be
longed to the several States. The right t
D adjust those duties with view 10 the Ell
courugement Of domestic branches of indus
: try, is SO completely incidental to that pow
er that it is difficult to suppose the exstenC
\ of one without the other. The States ha,
IS delegated their whole authority over in
is posts to the General Government, witho
limitation or restriction, saving the very il
considerable reservation relating to their i
spection laws. This authority having TIL
!. passed from the States, the right to exerci
IF it for the purpose of protection does not e
g list in them and, consequently, if it be II
Id possessed 10y the General Government,
Up must be extinct Our political system won
thus present the anomaly of a people stfpp
OF the right 10 foster their own industry, a
m to counteract the most selfish and ClestTu