The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-04-03
VOL. 23.

ish tho great mass Of the community, must
operate TO the prejudice Of the national well
fare. II an individual is compelled TO give
an hundred and fifty dollars for articles,
which without the Tariff, he could have pur-
chased for one hundred dollars, he is GER
tainly worth less by fifty dollars than he
would have been without this tax. This cp.
Grafton is going on continually, throughout
the country; and therefore. believe southern
Senators when they say, that with the same
industry, and quantity Of labor applied as
formerly, that whole region Of country Is
becoming poorer and poorer every day.
Why should not believe them' Can give
credi''o .s- Opi9ious of those, who are
sruegers TO the condition Of The people in
that section Of the United States, when they
tell US, that the South is in prosperous and
fourishing condition; rather than to those
Senators who come from those states, and
have their inierests especially committed to
their charge? The Senator from Maine.
(Mr. Holmes,) who resides 80 far to the
northeast, that his state, runs into British
province, or British province into II.
(which, am not able to say, for have not
yet sufficiently examined the subject) A
Senator from Rhode Island, (Mr. Knight
skilled in arithmetic, who can count the pro-
tits upon his fingers ends, that his constituents
are making by this system; and Senator
from the West, far beyond the mountains,
come forward and attempt to prove, iha those
who represent them do not understand their
true interests! Mr. President, has the land
Of Washington, Henry and Jefferson; has the
land Of Iiedell and Davie; has the land Of the
Pnckneys, and the Rutledges; has the land
of tho Baldwins and the Wsltons, all-sll
lost tho breed Of noble mem? Are their
political descendants the degenerate sons Of
worthy sires' We know, sir, That this is not
so that for intelligence and patriotism, they
are not excolcd by the men Of any other
cline or country. Already, we have heard
the sentiments Of South Carolina ably pro.
claimed upon this floor. She stands not a.
lone; North Carolina and Virginia, have
firmly and eloquently declared tho same o,
pinions; and Georgia has given certain and
unerriDg indications, that she will donounco
the inequality and injustice Of this system.
Whom see such ON union Of feeling and
sentiment, prevailing among those VINO have
the best means of Judging Of the effects pro-
duced upon their constituents, must &c cx-
cused, for paying but little regard to tho
theories and opinions OF gentlemen who live
remote. and do not possess the means OF
forming a correct Judgment. These gentle
him, who is badly clad, and 10 sbivcring in
the winters blast, that he was well clothed.
and warm, and comfortable; or him, who Is
perishing for want Of food, that he suffers
not from hunger; as to satisfy the people of
the South, that this system is not the cause
OF their depression and grievances.
In regard to the Western Country, and
every portion oft, have always considered
this system injurious. II is true, the fertility
OF our soil, rcdeems us from that state of suf-
fering, which is felt in some other parts OF
the country; but il checks, and retards tho
prosperity and growth ofthe West. There is
the largest body Of rich land, Of which wo
have any knowledge, inviting to agricultural
pursuits, and you do violence 10 nature,
whenever you so regulate society by your
laws, as to prevent its improvement and cul-
tivation. Breadstuffs, horses, mules, cattlo
and hogs. have been, and can be produced
and reared in the greatest abundance. Now,
the true interest Of the Western farmer lies
in obtaining good market for these articles
in the cotton growing states; but the policy
which has been pursued, has impoverished
these states they are rendered unable to
buy, and are compelled to raise the means of
their own subsistence at home although.
their soil and climate are i'll adapted TO the
production and raising ofthem. The effect
OF this system has been to destroy the best
market Of the Western Country.
should like to know, what benefit has a
risen to any great class Of tho community in
that section Of the union. II is true, tho
Of rope and cotton bsgging.
have found reader market by the high du
ty on these articles but the cotton growers,
corn growers, and rasers Of stock. have lost
by taxation, moro than the manufacturers
have gained I; and this is the general effect Of
this system. One man is compelled to give
more for an article than he would otherwise
do, that the favorte Of legislation may there.
by obtain profits. in order, 10 show more
clearly, the inequality and injustice OF the
system let il be remembered, that about two
thirds of all the exports Of the United States,
consist OF articles grown or raised in tho
Southern States. How, then does il happen,
that New England. the exports from which
are small, should, since the introduction OF
this system, have grown in wealth and pros
perity beyond all former example while that
portion Of the country most favored in soil
and climate, producing more abundant crops.
than in former years, has experienced less
prosperity than at any former period, and has
sunk almost into poverty and despair. The
cause, to my mind, is quite manifest. BY the
operation OF this Tariff, the products Of the
labor ofone portion ofthe union is transferred
to another That operation, is effected in
this way the grower of articles for exporta-
tion, is not permitted to interchange them.
how and whore he can, 90 90 10 be most sd-
vantsgeous to himself; but by the high du-
tics, he is compelled either to purchase his
foreign articles, at the increased price occa,
sioned bv those duties or he unust purchass