Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-11-24

tures was not then conceived. Even to
question the policy of promoting them
was limited to very few. The statesmen
and the patriots of the south were among
the foremost to vindicate both.
lChe general pacification of 1915, ex-
posed our market to the overwhelming
force of English capital and skill, with
more fearful odds than we had to contend
against in the hostilities then closed with
Great Britain. The inhexiblity of her
restrictive system, and the eXuberant re-
sources OF our own country for manuiac-
tu.es, also enabled us to withstand the
groat influx of her fabrics, and constrain-
ed us to protect our market by that sys-
tenn which has led to our present prospe-
rity. Is it the cotton growing states who
would subver this prosperity and lay us
once more PROSTATE before the power of
our rival? Those states who, for the ar
ticlc of cotton en- njoyed duty which did
not merely promote but absolutely created
its culture? a tax upon all the other
states, which was represented AS a griev-
ancc by the report Of the Secretary of
the Treasury in the very infancy of our
a
and capital into new channels for the ex'
elusive benefit of those states; at the ex-
pense of all the rest? tax which had
not the remotest conneXion with the re-
venues of the country, but was imposed
merely for protection? Is it, above all
others, the state Of South Carolina that
can complain Of protective impost, while
she enjoys heavy duty on indigo, which
she has ceased to produce, and which
therefore all the manufacturing states
pay under circumstances aggravated by
the fact, that while they are obliged to
submit to this tax on an article indfspen-
sable to their manufactures, the very
state, for whose benefit it was imposed,
declines to cultivate the, article.
BY a special resolution of this cOnven-
ton, an inquiry was directed into the mo-
raj influence of our manufactures;-in
compliance with which we feel authoris-
ed to say, in a word, that the imputations
sometimes cast upon the morals of manu-
featuring communities have proved, ac-
cordng to the experience of this country,
to be without the slightest ioundation.-
On the contrary, it is believed, that the
moral and religious education of those
employed in manufactures is, at least, G.
quail, if not superior, to that Of other clas-
ses of the community.
In concluding this address we would
take occasion to observe, that the present
posture ofthe affairs Of the United States,
impress upon us the necessity of declar-
ing what we believe to be the sentiment
ofthe friends of American Industry, in
reference to great question which must,
in a short time, occupy the attention Of
Congress. Up to this period, the reve
nue. of the government has not exceeded
its wants. The debt required system
of duties that would supply at least ten
millions of dollars every year towards its
extinguishment The debt, under the
present course of liquidation, will soon
cease to exist. The nation will then ma
turally expect some reduction of duties.
Participating in the common feeling on
this subject, we cannot close this address
without respectfully submitting to public
consideration the expediency of applying
that reduction to such commodities as are
incapable of being brought within the
scope of the protective system; holding
it, as we do, to be Indispensable to the
best interests ofthe American people that
that system should be sustained and pre-
served, without dminution, in its aPPli-
cation to every branch of domestic indus
try that may be benefited by its influence.
Thus, fcllow-citizens, we have submit
ted to your consideration our views OF the
construction upon the great question OF
protection. If it be the true one, you
will sanction and sustain it. if 1t be other
wise, let it be rejected; for the constltu-
ton is the supreme law.
We have also submitted our view OF
the true policy this country. We have
stated and urged those principles, on
which the system of protectlo. rests
which we believe to be supported by the
maxms of a sound philosophy, the exfe'
rience of mankind and our own. 1t re.
mains with you to determine, whether
that system of protecting your own INDUS
try, under which you have long advanc;
ed and are now prosperng, shall be con
tinued or abandoned; whether you VII
hold fast to that which your experience
has proved to be good, or yield yourselves
the victims of rash and untrled theory. -
That nearly five hundred Of your fellow
citizens should convene, from sections o
the country more than five hundred mile
apart, to consult on these engrossing SUB
jects, is itself an argument OF the ace
solicitude felt by the country at large Il
their discussion. To have separates
without vindicating them, would hav
been deserton of the trust commltte
to US. Their Importance required tina