The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-03-11
THE TARIFF.

A certain class of Wing editors, are determined
TO make this question strictly party one, and are
loud and yOciierous in their denuncmtions Of all
who hold opposite sentiments TO themselves, as
4" demugognes, and -" Ienegades." Now, we are
for one. perfectly willing such gentlemen should
ap?ly these terms TO Us, they are beneath con-
tempt. We have yet TO be convinced that we are
wrong in our opinions in regard TO high tariff,
merely for the protection ofdomeslic manufactures,
We have examined this subject as far AS care
able with II sincere desire 10 form correct judy
ent in respect to it. and for our lives we cannot
see that duty of one hundred per cent. on the
products of foreign manufacturers affords adequate
protection TO the manufactures of our own Coun-
try, it, as has invariably been the fact, banking ia
ciIries alc increased in the same ratio 1t is not n
high tariff that our manufacturers need, but a
sound currcncy-a currency of gold amt sHrer,
or lis full dnd squir0lcm. Excessive banking
renders nugalory any larIf Of protection, and blind
must be that individual who cannot discover it. A
country with a cheap and deprecated currency can
not compete in manufactures with country manu-
flcturlng upon dear or specie currency; and the
English manufacturer Gun as well afford to pay a
duty of 80 or 100 per cent, if we manufacture Oh
sound currency. All augmentation Of the cur
rency augnerls prices; for though no article is rem
rescn,alyc of its value ls rendered less so, grea-
ter amount of this representative or measure, or IN
slruments Of exchange, is necessary 10 represent a
given amount Of property Thus If Il yard oic'olh
be worth one dollar with a certain amount Of cur
rency, let The currency be doubled, and the cloth
becomes worth two dollars, not because the cloth
II worth more, but because the currency IS worth
less. No intelligent manufacturer can fail to see
this The result Is inevitable, that five double
our circulating medium, the cost Of manufacturing
will inevitably ncreusc in proportion. The only
sure and certain protection to the domestic manu-
hcure Is Il dear currency or n currency so nnch
dearcr than that Of the country from which compe-
ttiion is to he expected as to keep prices connu-
ally jeiOw the standard Of that country. Thus If
England manufactures on n cheap currency, she
cannot Import goods to this country if we manu-
feature on specie.
II il an inconroverlible fact, (and on tina; es-
tab'ishes our posllion,) that ms great nm amount Of
foreign manufactures have been imported in,o This
country, when our tariff has been at the highest
point, as when at the lowest, land for this reason,
oar currency has been inflated in the same ratio
the tariff The one nuiies the other. Therefore,
the only protection our manufacturers need, Is 10
abolish paper, and substitute specie. This country
has decided advantage over England in manu-
hcrurlng in every respect except capital, and that
can and will soon he overcome. England il obliged
to imEort her cotton, and wool, and we produce
them.
We shlll resume this subject at 4 future time,
and express freely and fully our sentiments in re-
gard to the justice Of taxing one portion of COM
lnuni,y to benefit manufacturing corporations: we
nie not Of that make to be deferred from express
ing our views for fear they may be unpopular, or
of offending certain Interested few. The people
are capable of approaching slang and bombast,an
aro not often moved by t.--TermOnt Ga:ehe.