Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-11-09
THE TELEGRAPH.
s0UTupORT. ". T. NOVEMBER 9, Isn.

United States, either ii their individual or
collective capacity, than that Of Home In
dustry. The practical rules for the &C.
quircmeI Of wealth, and advancement in
prosperity, apply to nations the same as 70
individuals. The farmer, the mechanic,
and merchant, keep an account Of the bust
ness connected with their respective pur-
suits, and each may by due attention 10
their affairs, exhibit to their own satis(ac-
ton, or to the public the progress Of their
financial affairs. The government Of the
United States, makes a yearly exhibit TO
the people of The condition Of the national
treasury, and the result Of commercial op-
crations with foreign countries. Every
ore is therefore enabled 10 Judge whether
the balance Of trade is favorable or unra-
yorabIe TO our pecunIary advantage as
nation.
Various theories have been proposed,
designed TO ensure a system Of successful
trade bat no plan has ye! been adopted
which has fully answered Interpretations
Of its friends. Among the diversity OF the
orists on this subject, there IS one class
who discard all restraints upon trade, and
who insist that commerce should be lcftto
regulate itself. Such persons manifestly
affect TO be wiser than were the trainers Of
the constitution, which instrument among
the powers vested in Congress distinctly
recognizes the right "to regulate commerce
qciLh foreign nations and among the sereral
States" Z" 10 lery and collect tGIes, duties,
imp0sis, and erciseS." There is 10 power
granted 10 Congress, which is more clearly
set forth by the constitution than that Of
regulating commerce. What this system
Of regulation should be in It's various parts,
or what restrictions should be placed upon
some articles Of Importation, is not SO much
our present purpose 10 explain, as to show
the raIlacy Of those who deny all constitu-
tionaI right Of the nation, TO establish the
basis Of commerce with our foreign rela-
tons. The right TO regulate commerce is
rccognized'by every civilized nation on the
earth, nor does any government fail 10
legislaie in accordance with the right in
such manner as is deemed most conducive
10 its national interests.
The doctrine Of free trade is splendid in
theory, and it holds to view prospective
condition Of things ardently TO be desired
We are the advocates Of free trade, ard
would rejoice to sec its pGncipIes adopted
by every commercial nation. No system
Of tariffs or impost duties can be devised,
which would operate so equally TO the mu-
tual benefit Of all parties, as a free and uh
restricted trade. But many people greatly
err in their notions Of what constitutes free
trade. No trade is free except that which
is reciprocal-whcre one party pays the
other a bonus for the privilege Of trading,or
where one party is restricted within certain
limits and the other not, trade cannot be
,ermcd free. If our nation receives the
surplus products of another, which restricts
the introduction Of ours in exchange, the
basis Of our commerce is neither free nor
equal. Every nation of Europe has its
system Of impost duties-no nation has yet
put its CONNIE rcial footing OF the tho prin-
cipc Of free trade. There is therefore
danger that in our ardor for free trade, that
VIC adapt our policy to a prospective con-
diton Of things-to a state Of affairs which
ougM to exist throughout the commercial
world, bG: which has no where yet come
into being. The policy Of foreign govern
ments is uncompromising-thcy hold out
professions Of free trade, while they tax
our leading exports with restrictions equi-
vulcnt to prohibitions.
Home industry is the sure source Of a
nations prosperity j: is therefore true
policy to foster and encourage it. Labor,
corporoal and mental, is Promotiye Of viz
tue, the precursor wealth, and the safe
guard OF the peoples liberties :-itsinter-
csts should therefore be the primary object
of nations care. No people were ever
great or prosperous, where labor was de-
spiscd or held dshonorubIc. There is a
wide difference between that kind Of lcgis
laton, which tends to the benefit Of capt.
tai, and that which encourages labor. The
former is capable of taking care of itself,
and should be left to devise its own ways
and means, while the latter should be enti-
tied the special regard ofthc government.
Legislation which invests capital with spe-
cial privileges, has an undue influence in
widening the distinctions in society,to make
Il - Il. IL