Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-11-14
POLITICAL.
From the National Inte!ligeneei



The payment of the public debt presents a new
era.
1t relieves the People from an onerous obliga-
ton, and Il contribution of ten millions n wear.
The Tariff must be modified so to accom-
modate the revenue to the wants of the Govern
ment, " ithout impairing any essential interest of
the country. 1t is believed this can be done sat
sfactorily to all moderate and sensible men. The
magnitude of the interests it involves demands the
exercise of the greatest caution and the soundest
Judgment.
The duties may and ought to be totally repealed
on all articles not made i'll the country, to witt upon
tea, coffee, spices, wine, brandy, silks fine lnen
and various others of less value. The duties levied
upon these articles amount to seven eight mil
ons-which is about third of the whole reve-
nue. Duties on articles paying l25 and Is per
cent. may be repealed, with perhaps few excep-
tons, having been laid chiefly for revenue. 1t is
believed reduction of ten millions may be made,
that now falls heavily and equally upon every
class, and upon every State. So far it is hoped
all will concur.
A very general modification and extensive re-
duction may be made most of the articles of the
present Tariff, without impairng the principle of
protection. 1t is proposed to offer some general
reflections to the People of the South on this sub.
cct.
There some national considerations in favor
of domestic industry. 1t enriches the country,
inc@ases commerce with foreign nations, and
trade among tho States; it gives employment to
capital, and occupation to labor. 1t furnishes the
country WIN regular supply at moderate ana Tx
ed prices, Of many articles Of Indispensable neces-
slty, and essential to her independence.
1t has been shown that the Tariff does not Ope-
rate unequally upon the South. The argument
proceeded upon the idea that all domestic goods
were enhanced in value by the amount Of duty.
That is by means true; and fias no doubt given
rise to much of the dissatisfaction in that quarter.
The number of articles upon which the duty ope-
rates to the whole extent, are very few. Upon
many it does affect the price--and others in a
/ greater dpuTee he first of he Ia
rlit was to increase the price; but manufac-
lures began TO rise up under the protection, capital
increased, machinery improved, greater skill and
better adaptation of labor was obtained, economy
introduced, and in short period the expense of
manufacturing was greatly diminished. But the
same causes operating favorably also upon other
countries, has brought down prices nearly one half
IN the last ten years, and they still declining.
Many of these articles as cheap as in England:
some are already shipped abroad in fair compet-
ton with hers, and all others rapidly tending to
that point. The effect of the Tariff has been to
secure our own market, and to prevent the dcs
truction of our infant manufactures, by desperate
attempts to drive them out of the market. by tenn.
Porary sacrifices of foreign articles. The first
effect of the Tariff s now possed-the beneficial
effect begins now to be and felt
Money, and labor and value are now aceommo-
dating themselves to the general condition of thin
they will gradually adjust themselves 10 the equi-
ibrium, to which, in Il inc Of general peace, all
things tend. In short time prices will regulate
themselves TO the universal standard. sudden
repeal of duties would produce a ruinous J vulson
without the slightest corresponding benefit to any
part.
Many foreign articles are now sold in tins mar
@ct for the actual cost Of productions and others for
much less, in order to drive those of this country
ont of its own proper market, or to force them to
sell at runous sacrifices; knowing that when they
have obtained posse ssion ofthe market again they
will soon ronbursc themselves. The duties have
served TO protect our manufactures from being thus
overwhelmed. b
The manufacturers in England, after having
supplied their demands, and the other markets OF
The world, upon which they have had a fair and
regular profit, send the remainder, and the refuse
to this country, to be sold at any price and il is
against this competition, and not the fair and repu
lar trade, that ours have TO compete, and against
which it is the interest and policy of tho Govern
mcnt to sustain them 1t is Il fatal error and acu
sion to suppose thatany material permanent change
will take place by destroying our system Of pro
lection Of our domestic industry Besides, the
South has valuable trade and exthnsivc EXCHANGE
of grain and -four, for the manufacturers of the
North.
The cultivation Of sugar must become an object
OF great interest to the South 1t opens new
and extensive field Of industry-rt gives value to
slaves; dverts labor from other pursuits. The