The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1831-12-27
From the N Y. Courier & Enquirer.


seems to he assumed by the politicians
friendly to high tariff, as kind Of az.
tom in the science of political economy /;
that "a heavy protecting duty, imposed on
any article which may be grown, produc-
ed or manufactured in ihis country, by
encouraging home industry, aud the in
vestmento of capital in its growth, produce
or milufactLre. will presently, bring
the article pro,ectedto the American con-
sumer at cheaper rate than it now costs,
and in greater. abundance. Aud the
truth Of this axiom, 10 supposed to be
demonstrated by reference tO the present
abundance and low price Of hats, shoes.
iron, COTTON goods, &c. compared with
their cost, anteriorto the tariff, which has
virtually excluded the foreign manufact-
ured article from our market.
Now, # the tariff really possesses the
magic power Uf producing this result; n
very serious and important question,
closely connected with the doings of the
recent tariff Convention held in this city,
presents itself II is tins.
Why did not the Convention raise a
Committee to report upon all iinpOrtnnt
subjects, Of encouraging the domestic
production of the precious metals, by the
imposition of a high duty on imported
gold and silver! Why was this subject
alone forgotton? Ifthe above ariom he
true, why would not high duty on i'm
ported gold aud silver, encourage and
protect hoase industry; and thereby, pres
emily bring these, as we'll as the other ar
ticles mentioned. into the home market,
in greater abundance, and nt a cheaper
rate than they can be aff 'rded NJ present.
and without such protection. Surely, in
view of the present enormously high price
of fuel in this city, it beh"ves every pat
riot to contribute all in his power to
the improvement of the science of pO-
li,ical economy. And as multitude of
cash, seems at present, to be almost the
lone thing neeIfui,"it is conceived that
no man or set Of men could render n
greater service to the community, than
by devising the means, by which il may
be obtained ut the cheapest possible rate,
md rendered '.pLenty in eosry mans poek-
es."
Doctor Franklin once undertook to
show how this might he dune. But his
method requires SO much hard labor, e.
conomy. and perseverance, and withal,
so long time to amass fortune, that
few are found wiling tofollow it. What
misfortune it is to the world. that the
Doctor had not hit upon this sure, easy,
safe and simple principle, SD recently
discovered, of high duty on importations.
This protects domestic industry, present.
" augments the quantity, and improves
the quality of the article protected, aud
brings to the consumed at a much re-
duced pIice.
O! That Government would duty i'm
ported gold aud silver to death. Then
should w~ be blessed with super abun-
dance oi the domestic article, easily Oh
tanned and mt a cheap rate.
Again. liza high duty will have the
effect To reduce the price Of the article;
will not the repsovai Of all duty aecessar-
lily ruise the pricel Dues NOT the rule
operate both waysl If 50, in heavens
name, don't ,emoue the present duty on
imported Coal. Coal of all kinds is high
enough In all conscience, nOw. DOn'i
Increase the price, by taking of the duty,
Il would be far better, to raise the duty;
and thereby reduce the price. This more.
over would be- practising, upon this neUiy
diseousrsd principle Of political economy.
Will not your readers, Messrs. Editors,
be willing, nay,--wili not Congress be
willing to reward the man who first dis.
couered that high duties bring cheap good,
and ioU duties increase the price. with q
PATENT This is decidedly the feeling o
one who thinks I've sees nots entire an,
Of good sense ins
JupIc,ous Tariff.