Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-08-28
THE DESIGN OF THE ADMINISTRATION.

When Mcssrs Calhoun, Walker, Buchanan, Tap.
pan &C. announced in their speeches that the true pol
lev of the country and the design of the adminsira-
ton which they favored, was to reduce the price of
wages and of the products of labor in this country to
a level with European prices, ii struck me that they
were men OF very weak minds or OF very kavlsh dis
positions. True / knew that in the twenty-five for
ejgn dcspotic governments from which Mr.. Van Buren,
drow his pattern for the Subreasury he might like
wise find examples for the Standing Army, and the
LowWagcs schemes, but did not suppose the fact
that they favorite systems in monarchlal govern
mcnts alone, would be sufficient to recommend their
adoption here. Consequently lhavc sought for some
other argument in their favor. | noticed in exaln-
ming the speeches above referred to- that the argument
was addressed mainly to the manufacturers of the
North, and frequent reference was had to the Tariff
policy. This, taken IN connection with the well known
fact that the administration goes with the South in
its opposition to a Tariff, thought furnished solil-
ton of the design. First, to conciate the South and
retain votes there the administration is immoveably
opposed to tariff. Then how shall they secure the
North. Why they must obtain favor with the manu-
featuring interest and get that favor too without
laxng their hostility to Tariff. This can only be
done by sacrificing the interests Of all the middle
and aboring classes. Therefore you will see that
in their speeches they address themselves the man
ufacurers, men who as class are rich enough al
ready and tell them that if the price of the wages OF
the mechanic and day laborer, and the prices of the
products Of labor in this country, were reduced to
level with the prices paid in England, France Hol-
land, Russia Spain, Portugal, Cuba, DC, they, the
manufacturers, would need no Tariff They could
manufacture and sell as low as the manufacturer III
England, France, &c, and then they add the Sub
treasury system will bring prices down to level with
prices in those foreign countries. Well this is true
and the manufacturer it. If the price of labor
is reduced so that you can hire mechanic or day la
borer for ten or twelve cents day and the price Of
AGRICULTURAL produce, Beef Pork, Butter, Cheese
Grain, &c, is reduced SO that you can board hano
for two or three cents day, and the price of wool is
reduced to FOUR six, seven cents pound, what Is
there to prevent the manufacturer from manufacturing
ae cheap as they can in other countries where the pr
ces of labor and produce are the same Nothing
The manufacturer will get much profit as he docs
now, and more extended market, and al the evil!
are TO fall on the middle and poorer classes. TIT
Southorner gets much as ever for his cotton fol
he can sell il at home, or have the advantage of for
eGn markets at his will, and he avoids what he CALI
the eriis of Tariff besides.
Here then is the design. sacrifice of the labor
ing interest Of the North for the benefit of the wealthy
planter of the South and to keep this administration
in Office The manufacturer can not, and will not de
sire this great interest to be sacrificed so long as w
| can have Tariff, for that protects him, and give
him. 1oiMou injury 10 others, all the benefits he wOu'
desire from reduction in the price of labor and tn
products Of labor. But the Tariff laws will expire b.
their own limitation in 1912, and the administration
avows its opposition to their recnactment. unde
| the Tariff policy the country has flourlshed like
green bay tree-o classes have prosporcd beyond OK
ample-and in its earliest infancy II has acquired tn
strength and proportions of giant. In the midst o
its prosperity the administration draws from % Of tn
most dospotic governments of Europe as example
for our imitation, the Sub-treasury system with il
appendages Of Standing Army and low wages an
proposes at one "fell swoop," to PROSTATE throug
their agency all the great interests Of the country bu
two 1t remains for the middle and laboring classe
determine whether that design shall be carried int
| e1cct-Ca!edonian.