Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-01-23


nation did command its own consumption. i'n-
portatioos.and inposts would cease" SIR, mere
are two distinct features in the tariff of 1873
revenue and protection. 1t is the former tnat
has filed YOUR Golfers and paid off the public
debt: and, so far as the latter has operated at a'''
IL must have diminished the revenue, anu delay
ed the extinction of that debt. Sir, will put t
Ito the candor Of the gentleman, whether, II the
nrorect;no duties under the tariff OF 1894 had
been less. the revenue would not have been great
or. and that too, without adding to, but on the
contrary, diminishing the burlhens OF the people.
since they would have obtained the articles OF
their consumption, in increased quantues, ana
at cheaper rate, and have been relieved from
the heavy tax which they have been compelled
to nav to the American manufacturers! why,
sir, the policy Of 1924 actually taxed to proh'o,
ton a large amount Of goods formerly imported
From a report made by the secretary OF the trea-
sury. in January, $780, it appears that these pro-
hibited articles amount to about o,ooo'ooo per +
annum, being near one sixth part OF the whole OF
our imports. Has this part of the policy contri-
buted TO Gil YOUR Golfers! sir, the case Is too PLAN
for further argument, and tried by THIS tes'' inc
policy must be utterly condemned.
The next test By which the gentleman propos-
es TO try this system, is +" the rich fruits which
il has scattered over the country" Sir, where
are thew to be found? Is it in the WEST! ap-
neal to the gentlemen from that quarter. We
have heard great deal of the fiourishing condl-
ton Of the nufacturing establishments else
where, but where are the manufacturing villages,
the Joint stock companies, the splendid dividends,
and other evidences Of prosperity to be found IN
the west? submit it to the candor of the gen.
tlemen, whether the benefits. Of the protecting
system. so far as the west is concerned, do not
still rest in hope whether the system would be
sustained day, if it were not for lts supposed
connect ion with INTERNAL IMPRovEMENTs-wh
Their il Is not indebted for its popularity. IN that
quarter. to the unhappy, the fatal marriage be-
tween the tariff and internal improvements
union which yet hope to be dissolved. 1t was
a left handed--an unlawful mari iage, and surely
those whom God hath not juiDed, man may put
asuuder. Sir, there are doubtless some flourish
ing manufactures scattered here and there
throughout the western country-chiefy conhn-
ed. however, to situations beyond the reach of
foreign competitors, aud owing nothing to the
protecting system But the west has not been rem
dered prosperous by these establishments. APP
peal confidently to their actual condition at this
time. With regard to the genteman's own State,
| | will apply test which cannot deceive u.s.
When the policy of '24 was before Congress, the
Senator from Kentucky stood forth as its cham.
pion, and it was my lot to attempt to answer his
arguments. fits true, sis, that his speech was
made in the other House, and mine on this
floor; but his argument had been sent forth as the
| manifesto Of the party-it was printed IN pamph-
| let and land on the tables of the Senators. and,
embodying the views of the tarif party. 1t was
impossible for me to pass it over. l well remem-
Der. therefore, that on that OCCASION the gentle
man argued. that Kentucky was to participate IN
| the protecting system by raising large quantities
of henlp, aud supplying the southern States with
cotton bagging.-and he strongly insisted that
she was then only prevented from SO doing, by
the ruinous competition OF the Inc0nsiderable
Scotch towns Of Inverness and Dundee. And
what is it, Sir, that we hear now-after the lapse
of eight years? The old story repeated. Ken
lucky still deprived Of the benefits OF the pro-
tecting system BY those formidable rivals, In.
verness aud Dundee. They still constitute g the
lion in the path" and foreisn manufactures ever
will be "a lion in the path" to those whose
prosperity depends on the protecting system
We know that the manufacture Of cotton bag.
sing is a simple process. requiring hardly any
skill or capital. and yet, the great State of Ken
| lucky cannot get along with it, in consequence
OF the formidable rivaship of two miserable cot
fish towns. the inhabitants of which are said to
be so poor and destitute, that they are obliged to
import their fuel, and send to Dantzic. twelve
hundred miles up the Baltic, for their hemp, pay
ing freight equal to the first cost. 1t IS per.
fectIy clear, therefore. that Kentucky has not re-
alised the promised blessings Of the protecting
system; and, a,n told that this is substantially
true of the whole west. But, Sir, il the west
has gained nothing by the system, she has had
her share of the taxes which It impOses--she has
paid her proportion Of duties to the government,
and bounties to the manufacturers; and, in con-
sequence of the dire calanities which the system
has inflicted on the south-bIasting our commerce
and whitening our prosperty-the west has very
nearly been deprived of her best customer
When the policy Of 's4 went into operation, the
south was supplied from the west. through sin.
gle avenue, the Saluda Mountain Gap,) with
1--we stock, horses, cattle and hogs, to the amount
of considerably upwards of million of dollars
year. Under the pressure of the system, this
trade has regularly been diminishing. 1t has al
ready fallen off more than one half, and from an
authentic return, now befure me, it appears that
Lit has been further diminished near one hundred
and fifty thousand dollars during the last year.