Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1832-04-04

other nations. Sir, they are all against him.
They have had restrictions enough, to be sure;
but they are getting heartily sick OF them, and IN
England particularly, would willingly get rid OF
them, if they could We have been assured, by
the declaration of Minister of the Crown, from
his place in Parliament, "that there is growing
conviction, among all men of sense and reflection
in that country, that the true policy of all nations
is to be found in unrestricted industry" Sir, IN
England they are now retracing their steps, and
endeavoring to relieve themselves OF the system
as fast as they can. Within few years past
upwards of three hundred statutes, imposing re-
strictons in that country, have been repeated
and case has recently occurred there, which
seems to leave no doubt that, 1t Great Britain mas
grown great, it is, as Mr.. Huskisson has declar-
ed, "not in consequence OF, but IN spite OF, her
restriction The silk manufacture, protected by
enormous bountes, was found to be in such de-
clining condition, that the government was oblig-
cd to do something to save it from total ruin
And what did they do? They considerably re
duced the duty on foreign silks; both on the raw
material and the manufactured article. The con
sequence was, the immediate revival oil the silA
manufacture, which since has been nearly doub-
led.
Sir, the experience of France is equally decls-
i've. Bonaparte's efforts to introduce cotton and
slgar has cost that country millions; and, but
the other day, foolish attempt TO protect the iron
mines spread devastation through hall OF France,
and nearly ruined the wine trade, on which one
fifth of her citizens depend for subsistence AS
to Spain, unhappy Spain, "ienced round with re-
strctions," her experience, one would suppose,
would convince us, if any thing could, that the
protecting system In politics. ike bigotry in re-
ligon. was utterly at war with sound principles
and liberal and enlightened policy. Sir. say,
in the words of the philosophical statesman of
England, 'sleave generous nation free to seek
her own road to perfection" Thank God, the
night is passing away, and we have lived to see
the dawn of glorious day. The cause OF free
trade must and will prosper, and finally triumph
The POI ltical economist is abroad; light has come
into the world; and, in this instance, at least, men
viii mol sprefer darkness rather than light" Sir,
LEI, it not be said in after times, that the states
men of America were behind the age in which
chez lived-tha they initiated this young and
vigorous country into the eneryating and corrupt
ing practices Of European natons-and that, at
the moment when the whole world were looking
to us for an example, we arrayed ourselves IN the
cast-ofollies and exploded errors oft the old world.
and, by the introduction of a vile system of arti-
fetal stimulants and political gambling, impaired
the healthful vigor of the body polite, and bro't
had intended, Mr.. President, to have said
something of the constitutional question, but have
already taken up so much Of your time, that
shall not now enter into it. must be permitted
however, to remark, that the gentleman is mista
ken in supposng that this objection to the protec
ting system is of recent origin. Up to 1924, the
question had not been much considered, simply
because the protection which manufactures ha(
derived was merely incidental to duties imposed
for revenue. The act of 1870 was surely of tina
character; and even the act of 1916 provided 70
dlninution, and not an increase of duties. Blu
when, in 1894, the true character of this system
was developed, the constitutional objection wa
plainly and strongly insisted upon. Here is tn
language, sir, that l, myself, held on that occa
sion, on this floor.
''Will gentlemen point out to me, if they can
the porer which this government possesses to a
dept a system for the avowed purpose of encour
aging particular branches of industry? II is m.
sober and deliberate opinion, that the Congress o
the United States have more power to pas
laws for the purpose of directly or indirectly in
duciug am portion of the people to engage II
manufactures, than they have to abolish trial b,
jurs, or establish the inquisition."
Since that period, the Legislatures of ever,
Southern State have denounced this system
fG'oncluded on fourth page)