Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-03-15

owed by the subversion Of the American
System, and an exposure of our estab.
| lishments and our productions to the un-
guarded consequences Of the selfish pol
icy of foreign Powers, the payment of
the public debt will be the bittcrest Of
curses. Its fruit will be like the fruit
! "Of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste
drought death into the world, and all our woe,
| "Wnh loss of Eden"
! If the system of protection be founded
on principles erroneous in theory, PERM
cious in practce-above all, lift be un-
constitutional, as is alleged, it ought to
be forthwith abolished, and not vestige
Of it suffered to remain. But, before we
sanction this sweeping dcnunciation, let
us look little at this system, its magni-
tude, its ramifcations, its duration, and
the high authorities which have sustain
ed it. We shall see that its foes will
have accomplished comparatively moth
ing, after having achieved their present
aim of breaking down our ron-ioundrics,
our woollcn, cotton, and hemp manuiac-
tories, and our sugar plantations. The
destruction of these would, undoubtedly,
lead to the sacrifice of immense capital,
the ruin of many thousands of our fellow
citizens, and incalculablc loss to the
whole community. But their prostration
would not disfgure, nor produce greater
effect upon the ,chole system of protec-
ton, in all its branches, than the destruc-
ton Of the beautiful domes upon the Cap
itol would occasion to the magnificent
cdifice which they surmount. Why, sir,
there is scarcely an interest, scarcely a
vocation in society, which is not embrace
ed by the benefcence of this system.
\ 1t cOmprchcnds our coasting tonnage
and trade, from which all foreign ton
mage is absolutely excluded.
I 1t includes all our foreign tonnage,
with the nconsiderablc exception made
by treaties of reciprocity with few for
eign Powers.
/ 1t embraces our fisheries, and all our
hardy and cntcrprising fishermen.
II extends to almost every mechanic
! art: to tanners, cordwaincrs, ,tailors, cabi-
net-makers, hatters, tanners, brass work
ers, clock-makers, coach-makers, talow-
chambers, trace makers, rope makers,
cork k-cuttcrs, tobacconists, whip makers,
papcr-makcrs, umbrella-makcrs, glass
blowers, stocking weavcrs, butter ma
kers, saddle and harness makers, cutters,
brush makers, book binders, dairy men,
milk farmers, blacksmiths, type founders,
musical instrument makers, basket ma
kers, millincrs, pottcrs, chocolate makers,
floor cloth makers, bonnet makers, hair
cloth makers, copper smiths, pencil ma
kcrs, bellows makers, pocket book ma
kers, card makers, mustard makers, lum-
Der sawycrs, saw makers, scale beam
makers, scythc makers, wood saw ma
kers, and many others. The mechanics
enumerated enjoy a measure of Protec-
ton adapted to their several conditions,
varying from twenty to fifty per cent
The extent and importance of some OF
these artizans may be estimated by few
particulars. The tanners, curriers', boot
and shoemakers, and other workers in
hides, skins, and leather, produce an ul-
innate value per annum of forty millions
of dollars; the manufacturers Of hats and
! caps produce an annual value of fifteen
millions, the cabinet makers, twelve mil
lions; the manufacturers of bonnets and
hats for the female sex, lace, artificial
flowers, combs, Sc, seven millions; and
the manufacturers of glass, five millions
1t extends to all lower Louisiana, the
Delta of which might as well be sub
merged again in the Gulfof Mexico, from
which it has been gradual conquest, as
now to be deprived of the protecting du-
! ty upon its great staple.
/ Ii affects the cotton planter. himself,
and the tobacco planter, both of whom
enjoy protection.
i The total amount of the capital vested
in sheep, the land to sustain them, wool,
woollcn manufactures, and woollen fab
! RIGS, and the subsistence of the various
persons directly Or indirectly employed d
in the growth and manufacture ofthc ar
ticle of wool, is estimated at one hun
dred and sixty-scvon millions of dollars,
and the number of persons at 5O,OOO.
! The value ofron, considered as a raw
material, and of its manufactures, is ostl-
mated at twcnty-six million OF dollars per
annum. Cotton goods, exclusive of the
capital vested in the manufacture, and OF
the cost of raw material, are believed to
amount annually, at about twenty mil
lions of dollars.
i These estimates have been carefully
made, by practical men, of undoubtcd
character, who have brought together
and embodied their information. .-Anx-
ious to avoid the charge of oxoggcra-
ton, they have sometimes placed their
.To say nothing Of cotton produced IN other To-
reign countries the cultivation OF this article, oi a
very superior quality j. constantly extending IN the