Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-05-25
and the country much more IN It's ultimate results,

and the country much more in it's ultimate results,
than the capitalist
The hands and skill of the abourer are, II may
be pardoned the expression, hs capital, bis stock
which he sells in the market, and so inperiec'!y
does their current value supply his daily necessi-
ties in Europe, that he flies TO dis country as 10
land of refuge We know the ample nDihty OF
our country if lie labour is judiciously orecteo,
10 afford to all ts industrious population most
liberal support, and competence iof all necessary
and useful purposes. This Is, perhaps, measure
Of prosperity more complete than has ever been
enioyed by any people; aud we should be slow
in adoptinr changes and least of oil, that which
will tend to destroy the equality of the popular
condition.
While the resources ofthe United States are
thus abundant, and the government is in the hands
of the people, ifthey discern their own interests,
they will sustain no policy which, in its downward
course, shall diminish their privileges and ENJOY
ments and it would be worse than absurd, 10
contend, that a material reduction of income
would not produce the result.
In reasoning upon this subject, il should be re
membered, that the United Staies in their broad
territory, embrace climate and soil adapted to
almost every kind of production from those
which require the fierce rays Of vertical sun, to
those that survive the biting frosts of severe win
tiers; and thence have within them most boun-
tiful provision, requiring only agricultural exer-
ton TO draw from the soil whatever its products
necessities require.
We abound, therefore, in the natural products
of the soil, and, -four population of artisans is di-
verted from consuming and converting them into
useful forms, they will I've necessarily thrown back
10 the land, as their only resource, aud our reli"
ance for every thing, but the production of the
earth, will be upon foreign industry. From thence
must come whatever is not nourlshed ard ma
tured by nature under the fostering cnre OF the
agriculturalists. But there is no seed that will
produce the nails that close our houses against
the elements, the glass that lets in the light. the
cloth which shields us alike from the scorching
heat Of summer, and the piercing blasts OF winter,
the books that anuse, instruct and improve us, or
the tools and implements, without which the most
simple and necessary ,luily duties and services
cannot be performed. Take from lis the work OF
the artisan and what remains bnt coarse eXls-
tence rising little above the briites into rival
ship with barbarian ferocy, suffering and deg
radiation If we 60 10 the workshops OF Europe
for supplies of the most pressing daily necessity
the mind turns with instructive anxiety 10 nquire
what can we exchange for them? We must sell,
or we cannot purchase.
With -four or grarcan we buy cutlery or tools !?
With flax, hemp or wool - cloths or apparel?
With provisions books? We have lived to lit 10
purpose, II we have yet to learn, Tint the produce
OF the farmer does not find market in Europe,
and that the exports of such produce TO the island
OF Cuba exceeds four-old that to all Europe; in
deed, so little of any kind reaches that region,
except cotton, rice and tobacco, that it is hardly
worth place in our commercial Statistics and our
free trade, as some denoninnte it, is substantially
limited 10 those articles. In 1885, the planting
states exported of cotton, rice and tobncco, so
much as was valued nj seventy live millions OF
dollars, and the farming states of their produce
so much as was valued at eight millions OF dollars;
but not one tenth of this latter found market i'll
Europe. Notwithstanding this disparity in ex-
ports, this Insignificant outward trade nothing is
capable of clearer proof than the fact, that the
products Of the farm greatly exceed those OF the
planter in their annual value but the division OF
labor makes domestic market for grain and pro.
visions, and on this home consumption we rely
while the mills in Europe convert the cotton wool
into cloth and yarn. The farmer supplies all 9th
er classes with food while they in turn supply him
with other necessaries and luXures; but uncon-
nected with mechanical and manufacturing labor
he has little to contribute to commerce, and when
the demand thus created upon him by these class
es shall cease, he and all others will I've forced
look to the soil and its productions, as the narrow
limits of human enjoyment, or TO be content with
the humble existence Of The laborers of Europe.
If our commerce with foreign states stood in a
different attitude; if their porlS were freely open
TO Imports il they were anxious TO encourage our
industry and their own; it their socitude was as
great TO purchase TO sell il national intercourse
was characterized by generous, liberal compel
ton in all products, and not by cautious, selfish
policy, our interests and obligations might lead us
into the great highway of trade, when thus open
ed, as if the world were one great family. But
no such state of things claims our attention; on
the contrary, we IRE entreRted TO make our citizens
the victims oil an uneqeal competition, regulated
by foreign laws and if they fall into the snare, it
will be II voluntary sacrifice 10 the sordd here.
and the rapaclous elsewhere.
Every proposition which tends TO diminish the
income ofthe laborer, ought to excite his vigilance
TO what is just and expedenf, patriot and good
citizen, he will yield obedience. But it would be
criminal weakness to be alIured from his duty to
himself and his country, by menaces, or delusve
theories. When the avaricous assume the port
and tone OF the patriotic when in pursuit OF
gain, they teach the doctrine, that the income oil
the aborer may he retrenched, and his condition
ne improved by III let the response be found in
the TACT revealed by history and Statistics that the
policy which produc the smallest wages, orli
nar'ly makes the greatest number Of paupers.
CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK.