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

Sir if the duties were taken off, the prices Of
goods would be reduced to their minimum, and
much lower than they are now in this country
and it is for this reason, and this only, that the
manufacturers are protesting against it But
Sir, where is the evidence to be found that the
tariff has produced any reduction whateter, in
the price of the protected articles. Is there any
other foundation for the assertion than tbs: that
the prices of cottons, woollens, and iroi, have
actually fallen since 1924? But all otter arti-
cles have likewise fallen, protected and ulprotec.
ted. Real and personal estate, cotton, fsur and
tobacco, all-all have gone down; and most Of
them have fallen in much greater degree than
woollens, cotons, and ron-Has the tanH done
all this?-What say the gentlemen? l have
here price current containing the prices of $50
PARTICLES in 1916 and 1881. From this itappears
that there has been an universal reduction in the
|price of articles of every description, and that
those admitted duty free have been reduced, at
least, in an equal ratio with hose paying duties
Indeed, Sir, think that cireful examination OF
this table will shew, that reduction in the protec-
ted articles has not been SO great in the others.
But the reduction has no! been confined to this
country. Ii has taken place in England, and all
over the world, in an eqlal, nay, in greater de-
gree. The very articles most highly protected
IN this country, cottons, woollens, and iron, ere
now selling in England much lower than they
can be obtained here. This is fact perfectly
notorious to every importing merchant, and
have abundant evidence of it now 10 my hands
Here are statements showing that such goods
have actually been imported within the last year,
lin Philadelphia, New York, and elsewhere, and
after paying duties of from SO to an 100 per cent
have been sold as low as the domestic manufac-
Iture. Sir, ascertained, before left home, that
the whole quantity of cotton goods imported into
Charleston during the last year, paid an average
duty of fifty per cent, and then they were sold
low as American cottons Of the same quality
But am really ashamed to argue a question 50
|self-evident. How can taxes possibly lessen pri-
ces? How can protection diminish the cost of
production? What are the elements of price?
Arc they not the cost of the raw material--the
wages of labor-and the interest of capital? and
how can these be lessened by tax on the article?
To say so, to reverse all the rules of proportion
Gentlemen might as we'll contend that two added
to five make three, as that fifty per cent added
to the cost of an imported article, lessons its
price. If gentlemen can believe this, they may
believe any thing. But the truth is, Mr.. Presi-
dent, this whole matter OF the reduction in the
lprice OF goods Is very easily explained. 1t de-
lpepds on general causes, which have operated to
Ia certain extent all over the world. From thor
[ough investigation of the subject, which has taken
place in Great Britain, it is found to have result
ted from the appreciation of the currency, i'm
|proyements in machinery, and the general resto-
ration of peace. The resumption of specie pay
fments, and the diminished supply of the precious
metals, is calculated to have lessened the circula-
ting medium to the amount of upwards Of $780,
100000. The effect of this single cause has
been, within the last ten years, the reduction of
prices in that country to the amount of thirty five
per cent, TO which fifteen per cent may be added
for the other causes above Notwithstanding in
the whole reduction Of almost fifty per cent. in
the money price OF all articles. The same thing
has taken place in this country, and, therefore,
when gentlemen alIege that the price OF manu-
fac,ures has fallen, the naked fact proves nothing
unless they can show that they have iallen in a
greater degree than other articles in this country
and similar articles abroad But this is SO far
from being the fact, that the truth is, that the pro
tected articles have fallen less in proportion than
those which receive no protection. Cotton is a
striking example, which has, in few years, fall
en- to one third of its value, while no protected
article has, in the same period, fallen one halt
l trust, Sir, that we have now made out oul
case; that we have shown the unjust and unequal
operation, In every point OF yiew of this system
anu ttldt3 as Tie Iouutu Is concerned, anC
the West also, though not in the same degree, i
| is an unmihgated system of burdens. And even
with regard to the favored section, would sub
init, how lar it is wise to insist upon system
which can only be maintained at the expense O
other ssctions. Sir, fool too much contidenc,
in the justice and magnaninity Of our Northern
brethren, to suffer myself to doubt their willing
ness to sbandon this system, if they could see i
in the light that we do. 1t may enrich them TO
the moment, but the prosperity it creates is arti
fetal. and will assuredy be unsubstantial. N,
country can be permanently benefited by a sys
tenn Of bounties. This system may destroy tn,
South, but it will not permanently advance tn,
prosperity of the North. 1t may dePress US, bu
cannot elevats them. Besides, Sir, il pelseyere,
in, it must annihilate that portion OF the country
from which the resources are to be drawn, tina
are to enrich the Northern manufacturers. Ant
it may DO well for gentlemen to reflect, whethe
adhering to this policy, would not be acting Xix,
the man who skilled the goose which laid the gol
den eggs" Let gentlemen be assured, that Thu
is system which cannot possibly last. 1t will
sooner or later, be utterly overthrown. Would i
not be well, therefore, for them to seize this favor
able occasion to make some sacrifice OF their pc
cular interests to the general welfare?
In conclu ding Mr. President what have t.