Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-01-26

million OF dollars per annum to the STATE ne re-
presented. Let US assume that calculation 10
have been correct, and that the State IN questioh
now paws half million in taxes on the unprotect-
ed articles; when you take Oft the tax and leave
the bounty, the bounty will obviously be increas'
ed by Just half million, and the State in ques-
ton will be relieved entirely from taxation. Such
is the compromise proposed to the South. The
evils of which we complain are TO be increased
the protecting system is to be rivetted upon the
country from beyond all hope OF relief; and, we
are told. we ought to receive all this as conces-
sion. Sir, we say to you. we are willing to sub
nit to have the foreign manufactures for which
we exchange our productions taxed Tor revenue,
though we know that such tax must operate as a
bounty to the domestic manufacture, and so tar
diminish the value Of our productions; but we
invoke you not to asgavate the injustice and me-
quality Of this system, by extending the tax be-
yOnd the Just revenue standard, and by so ar
ranging the duties to throw the burden entirely
upon the protected articles. to relieve the Tariff
States from all taxation. and to throw the burdens
entirely upon US. Above all, we call upon you
to remember, that the British manufactures on
which you propose to throw almost the whole
burden of the government, are those which we re-
ceive in exchange for our productions-that to
burden them is to burden us-and that the end
of all this may, and probably will be, that we
shall he deprived Of our best customers. and be
cut off from the only sure market Tor our cotton,
rice, and tobacco
The policy proposed in the amendment which
have submitted, is founded on the just principles
have advocated. The arrangement OF the de-
tails we are willing TO leave to the committee. -
We do not propose to destroy, or even to injure,
the manufacturers. We are willing they should
have the incidental protection afforded by fair
revenue system. and on any plan Of reduction,
the duties and charges on the foreign mabufac-
ture, will not fall much short Of 49, per cent;
and surely, Sir, il, with protection equal to one
third of the cost of the article, our manufactures
cannot be maintained, they ought to be abandon
ed at once since nothing can be clearer than that
they would then be sustained at certain loss to
the country. We do not insist on an immediate
reduction. to the lowest revenue standard. As
the public debt is not yet paid, we are willing
that the reduction On the protected articles should
lie graduai-and spread. if gentlemen please,
over two or three years; and, if they desire tive
will not object to making an immediate reduc
ton on the unprotected articles. of 10 or Is per
cent. The immediate effect of this plan, so far
from being injurious to the manufacturers, will.
am persuaded, serve rather To strengthen them,
and even in its ultimate results. no manufacture
will be injured that does not depend on protec-
ZION for is existence. and is not sustained at the
public expense. Suppose the dntes on the pro-
tected articles were now reduced ten per cent.
below their present rates, and by subsequent
steps carried down gradually to the true revenue
standard, what would be the effect Of this first
duc,ion of ten per cent. If yard Of English
cloth cost dollar, paid duty OF fifty per cent.
and, with the addition of charges, could be retail
ed at two dollars, the effect Of this reduction
would only be to reduce the price TO one dollar
and ninety cents. So that the protection to the
American manufacturer would be lessened only
five per cent. Noe if this provision were &C
cOmpaned By an immediate reduction OF the du-
ties on the unprotected articles from fifty per ct.
to fifteen. would not the manufacturers derive
some compensation in the diminished cost Ut ev-
cry article which enters into their consumption
And if, in addition to this, there should be con.
siderable reduction of duties on the raw materi-
al. would submit to their serious considera ton
whether their condition would be worse than it
is now. The true policy Of the manufacturers,
il appears to me, consists in obtaining their raw
materials cheap, and having their expense dimi-
nished by taking OF unnecessary taxes on their
consumption. Sir, if this is to become manu-.
featuring country. we must look to the markets
of the world. A feeble and sickiy existence may
be preserved at home BY system of protectinD |
and Of bounties-but to be put OH sure founda-
ton, and to acquire that vigor, strength and en-
ergy, which will enable them te enter into sue.
cessful competition abroad. with the manuiac-
lures of other countries, it is necessary they |
should be prepared for the contest, by being left
in great measure, to their own unalded efforts.
In one respect, the United States possesses an
advantage over all the world, Of which it seems
to me it would be madness not to avail ourselves.
We can reduce the cost of production in every |
department of industry, to the very lowest rates.
Our people are not necessarily borne down by an |
almost insupportable weight Of taxation. We
have no debt which can never be paid--nO bur-
thensome stabishments-nOKi Kings, Lords and
Commons, to eat out the substance Of the peo-
pie. In this consists our great advantage, and
il will be our own fault If we do not avail our.
selves Of it, to the fullest extent This, Sir, is
not only the favorable moment for adjusting this
great question bu, if be suffered to pass away,
il can never be recalled. The manufactures now
can be let down, without shock, from the posi-
ton to which they have been so unjustly eIevat-
ed They will now be reunerarated for any d.
l. -.