Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-03-23


in fact but the lessons of wisdom, and AN en-
lIghtened experience applied 10 the affairs of
nations. SIR, the restrictive policy is found
ed on the triumph of the selfish principle. -
II assumes that the natural position of ma
tons towards each other is one of enmity and
rlyalship, founded on supposed opposition
OF interests. The doctrine Of the old school
was that, what was gained by one nation,
was necessarily lost by another.
The plain and seemingly obvious truth,
that In fair and equal exchange of commod-
| ties, all parties gained, is noble discovery
OF modern times The contrary principle
naturally led 10 commercial rivalries, wars.
and abuses OF all sorts The benefits OF
commerce being regarded as IA stake TO be
won, or an advantage TO be wiested from O.
theirs by fraud or force, governments natu-
rally strove 10 secure them TO their own sub
Jncts; and when they once set out in this
wrong direction, j; was quite natural that
they should not stop short till they ended in
binding the bonds of restriction, not only the
whole country, but all of its parts. Thus
we are told that England first protected by
her restrictive policy her whole empire a.
gainst all the world, then Great Britain "a
gainst the colonies, then the British isles "a
gainst each other, and ended by vainly at
tempting TO protect all the great interests
and employments of the state by balancing
them against each other. Sir, such a svs-
tenn, carried fully out, is not confined 10 riv-
al nations, but projects one town against "a
mother, considers villages, and even families,
as rivals; and cannot stop short of "Robinscn
Crusoe i'll his goat Skins" 1t takes but
one step further TO make every man his own
lawyer, doctor, farmer and shoemak Grand
If may be allowed an Irishism-his own
Seamstress and washer woman. The doctrine
OF free trade, on the contrary is founded on
the true social system. 1t looks on all man.
kind as children of common parent-and
the great family of nations as linked :ogeth-
er by mutual interests. Sir, as there is
religion, so / believe there is a politics of ma
lure. Cast your eyes over this various earth
see lis surface diversified with hills and
valleys, rocks, and fertile fields Notice its
different productions its infinite varieties of
soil and climate See the mighty rivers
winding their way TO the very mountains
base and thence guiding man 10 the vast o.
ceans, dividing, yet connecting nations Can
any man who considers these things with the
eye ola philosopher, not read the design of
the great Creator (written legibly in his
works. that his children should be drawn
together In a free commercial intercourse.
and mutual exchanges of the various gifts
with which Bountiful Providence has bless
ed them. Commerce, Sir, restricted even
as ii has been, has been the great source of
civilization and refinementall over the world.
Next to the Christian religion, consider
free trade. in IFS largest sense, as the greatest
blessing that can be conferred upon any peo-
pie. Hear, Sir, what Patrick Henry, the
great orator of Virginia, whose soul was the
very temple of freedom, says on this sub
jet.
"Why should we fetter commerce? Ifa
man IS in chains, he droops and bows TO the
earth, because his spirits are broken, but let
him twist the letters from his legs, and he
will stand erect. Fetter not commerce!
Let her be as free as the air. She will range
the whole creation and return on the four
winds of heaven, to bless the land with pIen-
ty."
But, it has been said, that free trade would
do very we'll, if all nations would adopt If.
but as it is, every nation must protect itself
from the effect ofrestrictions by counteryail-
ing measures. am persuaded, sir that this
is a great, and most fatal error IfretaIia-
tion be resorted 10 for the honest purpose of
producing redress of the grievance, and be
adhered TO no longer than there is hope of
success, ii may, like war itself, be some
times just and necessary. But if il have no
such object, "it is the improbable contest of
seeing which can do the other the most
harm" The case can hardly be conceived
in which permanent restrictions, as a meas
ure of retaliation, could be profitable. In
every possible situation, a trade, whether
more, or less restricted, is profitable or it is
not. This can only be decided by exper-
fence, and if this trade be left TO CIRCULATE IT,
SELF water would not more naturally seek
its level than the intercourse adjust itself 10
the true interests of the parties Sir, as 10
this idea The regulation by government ofthe
pursuits OF men, | consider il as a remnant
OF barbarism, disgraceful to an enlightened
age, and inconsistent with the first princi-
pies of rational liberty. hold government
TO be utterly incapable, from IFS positions, of
exercising such power wisely, prudently,
or justly. Are the rulers of the world tho
repositories of its collected wisdom? Sir;
can we forget the advice Of great states
man TO his son---"Go see the world, nv son,
that you may learn with how little wisdom
mankind is governed" And is our govern
ment an exception TO this rule or do we hot
find here, as every where else, that
"Man, proud man,
Drest in a little brief authority,
Plays such lanaftic tricks before high Hea-
ven,
As make cen Angels weep"
The gentleman has appealed TO the exam
pie Of other nations. Sir, they are all against
him They have bad restrictions enough.
TO be sure; but they arc getting hsrtily sick
ofthem, and in England, particularly, would
willingly get rid of them If they could. We
! Laa. L 4 4