Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1832-04-11

a suitable occasion to rid the country of the
evils with which the system is alleged to be
fraught. Not an inattentive observer of pas
sing events, have been aware, that, among
those who were,most eagerly pressing the pay
ment ofthe public debt, and, upon that ground
were opposing appropriations to other great
Interests, there were some who cared less a
bout the debt than the accomplishment of 9th
er obJects-But the people of the United
otates nave not coupled the payment of their
pablo debt With the destruction of the protec,
non OF their industry, against foreign laws
|and foreign industry. They have been accus
toned to regard the extinction of the public
1 debt as relief from burthen. and not as the
~ liz American system. and an
exposure of our establishments and our pro-
ductions to the unguarded consequences OF the
selfish policy of foreign Powers, the payment
Iof the public debt will DC the bitterest ofcur.
SEES. Its frdit will be like the fruit
esOf that f,rbidded tree, whose mortal taste
drought death into the world, and all woe,
''With loss OF Eden'
If the system of protection be founded on
principles erroneous in theory, pernicious in
practice-above all, if it be unconstitutional,
as is alleged, it ought to be forthwith abolish
ed, and rot vestage, of it suffered to remain
But, before we sanction this sweeping denu-
|ciation, let US look little at this system. its
magnitude, its ramiications, its duration, and
the high authorities which have sustained it.
We shall see that its foes will have accomplish
ed comparatively nothing, after having achev
ed their present aim of breaking down our
lronfounderies, our wolen, cotton, and hemp
manufactures, and our sugar plantations
lbe destruction of these would, undoubtedly.
lead to the sacrifice of immense capital, the
ruin of many thousands of our fellow citizens.
and ncalculable loss to the whole community.
but their prostration would not dis6gure. nor
produce greater effect upon the whole system
OF protection, in all its branches, than the DIES
tructlon OF tie beautiful domes upon the Cap
ltal would occasien to the magnificent edifice
which they surmoust. Why, sir. there is
scarcely an interest, sca,celya vocation in So
ciety which is not embraced by the bene6.
cence of this system.
1t compartments our coastina .onage and
trade; from which all foreign Tonnage is abso-
lutely excluded
1t includes all our foreign Tonnage with the
inconsderabe exception made by treaties of
reciprocity with few foreign Powers.
1t embraces our fisheries, and all our hardy
and enterprising fishermen.
1t extends to almost every mechanic art IT,
tanners, cordwainers, talors, cabinet makers,
hatters. timers, brass workers. cock makers.
tallow chambers, trace makers, cork cutters, to-
bacconIsts, whip makers, paper makers, umbrel-
la makers, glass blowers, stocking weavers, but
ter makers, saddle and harness makers, cutters,
brush makers, book binders, dairy men, milk far
mers, black smiths, type founders, musical instru-
ment makers, basket makers, mininers, peters,
chocolate makers, foorcloth makers, bonnet ma
kers, hair cloth makers, copper smiths, pencil
makers, bellows makers, pocket book makers. card
makers, glue makers, mustard makers, lumber
sawyers saw makers, scale beam makers, scythe
makers, wood saw makers, and many others
The mechanics enumerated enjoy a measure of
protection adapted to their several conditions,
varying from twenty to fifty per cent. The ex-
tent and Importance Of some of these artizans
may be estimated by Il few particulars. The tan
ners, curriers', boot and shoemakers, and other
workers III hides, skin, and leather, produce an
ultimate value per annum of forty millions Of
dollars; the manufacturers of hats and caps pro-
duce an annual value of fifteen millions; the cab
met makers, twelve millions; the manufacturers
OF bonnets and hats for female sex, lace, artificial
Ho"oiSs SoiHDS, NC seven mlillOnS; ana the man.
nactnrers of glass. FIVE millions
1t extends to all lower Louisiana, the Delta of
which might as well be submerged again in the
Gulf of Mexico, from which it has been grad
ual conquest, as now to be deprived of the pro-
tecting duty upon its great staple.
1t affects the cotton planters himself, and the
tobacco planter, both Of whom enjoy protection
The total amount of the capital vested in sheep
the land to sustain them, wool, woolen manufac
turers, and wollen fabrics, and the subsistence Of
the various persons directly or indirectly en-
|ployed in the growth and manufacture of the
article of wool, is estimated at one hundred ant
sixty-seven millions of dollars, and the number
OF persons at one hundred and fifty thousand.
The value of iron, considered as raw mate
rial, and of its manufactures, is estimated a
twenty six millions of dollars per annum. Cot
ton goods, exclusive of the capital vested in tn.
manufacture, and of the cost of the raw material
are believed to amount annually, to about twent,
Millions of dollars
! These estimates have been carefully made, by
-
To say nothing of cotton produced in other oreig
Countries, the cultivation of this article of very su
peior quality, is constantly extending in the adacen
Mexican provinces, and, but for the duty, probably
large amount would be introduced into the Unite