Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1842-07-04
FOR THE vIRGiSiAS
To N, Editors of The Iuurbb,vp Rcnuj,Iicu,t

To The Editors ~ the IYirhbUg Rrpubiicdm.
G.ntiemen-The course which You have pursued,
and which you pursuing, on the subject of the Ia
rir "a which sincerely believe be in direct
conflict with the best interests of the country. which,
permit to say, think one has heart than
Yourselves, 1.-THE large circulation Of your paper
il this section of the coiniry--hc acknow lcdred ability
with which it is conluccd-,hc influence which il
it"~>ceccssary exert on large portion Of the cummn-
ny and the consequent good or evil effect Of It's upn
ions WILL trust, be- an ample apology for addressing
You the t,own g remarks
In your paper Of the 2Oh inst You say. .hc propric-
~ Of taking scmc action this suhcc, Uhc Tariff has
been suggested In the citizens Of this place hy the Rich
mmd Compiler and l,nclburg Nironian" and Yen
significantly ask the question, .'lt they hold public
meeting, pass tariff resolutions petition Congress to pro-
tcct home industry. will the people be benefited ly ii?
suppose they obtain all they ask, the interests of the
people to be ad,anccd?'' II with feelings of unaf
frctcd surprise tha, read your reply to that crroga'o
"; and deeply aud sincerely lament the causes
whatever they may be, that have influenced your
opinions on this ques,ion-and which, with every ap
pearanc, Of caror, zealously advocate Whether
you view its merits through the cloudd and distorted
medium Of party feelings and party prclu,llc's, IT
whether they are the consequence OF nprssl' ms re
Ceived in early life they alike to be regretted and
depored. The to your question is given by your
selves in the following words: "A protective tariff
would doubtless prove advantageous to the comparavc.
small nuur of citizens whoarc engaged in manlac
turing. but Just certain that its operations would
he most injurious the farming and planting in
trrrsts Of Virginia" This assertion has foundation
IN fact; but onihc contrary nothing could be
beneficial to the farming and planting interests Of
Virginia." than the adoption of tariff that shall afford
full and adequate protection to American manufactures.
Instead of draining the State of millions odoars annual
y pay for the manufactures of foreign countries with
,ie materials of which they composed at the same
time within our reach. and labor too, which now lies
ida and totally unprductive, fully sufficient to produce
them all, not only r the consumption Of the citizens
at State, but tor that of others asowoud not
"the farming aud planting interests be benefited by the
withdrawal Of a portion Of that labor which is now en-
poycd agriculture and devollng it to manufactures,
thereby creating home market. as well as tore'gn
onc for their prodncons,-and converting those that are
the producers of 10 dav INTO the consumers OF TO moroW
ask would not the inevitable consequence be to enhance
the value ofthcir lands and the price Of the productions
Of their so-frs bv reducing the number OF those en-
Ployed in that branch of industry. and secondly by IN
crcasing the number Of consumers? Thus. IN addition
to the market which they possess abroad they would
have that at home also-and all writers on Political
fcmomy agree tina, this is by far the most important OF
the two
But let lis look for a moment at the situation OF our
foreign markets. in order full understanding OF
this question. With the exception of our great staple
Of tobacco for the privilege Of selling which III fncign
countries we compelled To pay from 5Oo to I,Uo per
cent all the other productions of our State are prohibited
except when failure Of the British crop occIs here
shall Virginia find market for the surplus productions
OF her soil il she cannot obtain at home! But she can
never find il here, should the labor that is employed
IN manufactures be diverted from that channel aud turn
Cd INTO that Of agriculture Shut u tom the narhc
Of til, world, vrfou, ha' ne pursued Il wise ard Jud