Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-05-25

the halls Of Legislation and elsewhere, until the
topic is trte aud if time would allow il, should
feel little inclination this occasion to tax your
patience with n renewal Of that discussion. Yet
as il is question involving considerations OF the
Igrentest magnitude, and of the most grave and
lasting importance TO the people of this count y,
il would not be UNSUITABLE TO leave il wholly unno-
iiced. There is no difficulty in perceiving that
our policy, in regard to manufactures should be
such as to give strength aud perpttuity to our in
slituions by giving prosperity to the people, and
thus uniting their interests aud affections in sup
port of them.
Many of the planters are opposed not only to
protecting manufactures, but to the business
Their staples, cotton, rice aud tobacco, the
ly agricultural products Of our country, which
find, in Europe any certain market, and these only
10 the extent That merchandise can he received in
return; for all trade is founded on exchange OF
the products of labor. The hope therefore, which
the planter is encouraged to entertain, Is. that if
our mills and workshops should he forever closed,
that vast amount of manufactured merchandise
now produced by us, would be brought from the
mills and shops of Europe I; und thus the demand
for his staples would be greatly enlarged.
Ths theory is founded in the deepest selfish
ness Of our natures, aud aims, in the true spirit
of monopoly, at controlling the commerce OF the
country, and building itself up, regardless OF the
other greut interests which claim protection under
the constitution.
|
clans, who are impatient at the success OF manu-
featuring and mechanical industry in all its pur
suits, and ore anxious to raise the necessary reve
nnes Of the United States by direct taxation, lest
such industry should he promoted by duties on
imports. The number united in this selfish doc
trine under the nominal banner of free trade, is
not inconsderable while they draw after them
othtr class, entertaining motives less exclusive and
feelings less hos lie; yet, they co operate and ex-
ert their united energies 10 embarrass and dscour-
age American industry. The question ID treated
as if it involved no consideration but money; and
the ultra advocate of free trade supposes he has
arrived AZ I'M unanswernble conclusion, il he can
establish the fact, that yard OF calico can he
purchased in foreign market at less than it costs
to produce it here. Denying the right Of the
government 10 aid or protect our laborers, even by
measures designed 10 counteract the policy OF for
eign states, which shut our commodities out OF
their markets. he holds such evidence sufficient TO
justify arresng great business, sacrificing vast
capital, and turning a numerous population out OF
employ, TO seek bread where they may find IT.
This is the narrow sordid, unputrioc view of
ten taken of the mater, as il it had no connection
with the happiness of the people, or the preserva
lion of public liberty. How utterly does that man
fail to comprehend the great purposes OF our con
federated association, who denies to us the RICH
10 preserve our Independence, and to promote til,
prosperity Of the people! say to such, shall The
country be defended against aggression? Shal
the material OF war? Shall we rely on such
precanous resource to supply our emergencies
Shall go there for the clothing OF our armies
their blankets and tents? If so, what would be
our condition in the progress of a war OF Ordinary
duration ? When we so forget ourselves, and &c
disregard the high trust confitled to rare a:
to leave the Atlantic between and the means Of
defending the country, shall be unworthy oil
that trust pnd trencherous to that country. The
pages OF history have already recorded our dis.
IL.
sources suitable supplies, aud leaving our gallant
soldiers to suffering aud sickness as TN inevitable
consequence of such improvidence.
Must we forget the deprlyalons oil the people
arising from the deranged state of foreign trade
Must we draw the pail of oblivion over the orders
and DEGREES Of foreign belligerent states under
which we were insulted and despolled of oui
property, aud the prices of foreign commoditic:
so raised, as 10 he grieyonsy burdensome? Mus
we forget that the people, in their Indignation a
such injustice, cut off all intercourse by perpet
nal embargo, and afterwards modified and res
trained trade by OF non-intercourse, reerrinl
To encounter all the suffering incident 10 such
state ofthings to dependence on resources, whc!
could only be reached through insult, and enjOyet
on terms eXorbitantly onerous ana dlshonorabe !
Must we forget, that the country turned will
disgust from these scenes of treaehery ana extor
ton, and excited its patriotic energies upon lis Owl
resources, that it might rescue liz independents
from such peiious contingencies, and place
where foreign contentious and rapachy should no
seriously disturb it?
Must we forget that, during this period of tra
and the war which followed when we were thrown
almost exclusively upon our own resources, tha
the manufacturer was welcomed MS the saving an
gel, who had come 10 minister 10 our most press
ing necessities? That he was cheered un
beneiucior OF the country by lofty tone OF pat
riots,n, which deprecated moriiying depend
ence on foreign countries for necessary food o
I,.lnf htst mt "a Inv f!ti
manifestation OF public sentiment, and the pressing
necessities of the people, great number of OH
citizens embarked their capital in manufacturing
10 supply demands that could not be postponed
under the tirmest conyciiCn that the most absorb
ing selfshness could not be blind 10 its own in
teresi md so I'm ust 10 the laborers as 10 deser
ihem-nny, TO mediate their overthrow
Must we forget that the spirit of injustice ma,
again preside in the councils of Europe; tha
nothing is more probable than conflicts. wbicl
may agan involve, not only neutral rights, but mn.
again force us into war, producing II ecurrenc'
OF the same necessities, the same melancholy
proofs of inprovidence, and disregard OF our high
est interests?
Yes an oblivious night must shroud all this il
It's dark folds, before we can embrace the doctrine
that it is both more lawful aud expedent to encour
age aud assist foreign labor, than own. !
such selfish sentiments embraced III our da!
of peaceful sunshine, to whom shall we look whc'
the dark clouds of adversely gather around lis, ant
the storm bursts upon us !? II we are thus trench
erous, and disregard the obligations of good fni!li
if our patriotism is mingled only WIN tile cries
of disiress,-if fling from us with scorn ou
benefactors, like the rich mnn in the parable, We
shall entreat in vain for drop OF waer to COO
the tongue. What sympathy can The laborer have
with such policy or such people? What res
pect or attachment Gun he feel for government
that sacrifices him and its own Independence il
pursuit Of gold? Are we willing 10 say, that like
The subject OF despot, he is TO he used as an in
sirument Of war only3 That he is to hive nc
rights except TO fight hnliles, and 10 labor 10 m
pale distress Bring him 10 this condition, ana