Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-02-17
From skc Baltimore Aaasrieas.
THE TARIFF In VIRGINIA.

Weattn 0l virginia. tItf ptoEscSs to'
some years past has been in no way CON-
mensurate with her means OF improve
ment. If we may judge, however from
the tone and spirit which now begin 10
Distinguish many oil the leading Journals
10 that State, we may believe that the
time has come for general awakening
throughout her borders in reference to
subjects which concern her most impor-
iant interests. The negatire policy so
long enforced by political abstractlon'sts
has proved its own worthlessness. Il has
shown itself to be sort of Chinese poll
CIV which provides for standing still and
deeming that the perfection OF statesman
ship was attained same time IN 70, re.
solves all political wisdom into the arr
Of doing nothing.
We, who are out Of the Old Dominion,
should be the less disposed to complain
OF this if il were not that the same sys.
TEN is applied to the General Govern
ment, and the glory of strict construction
is made to consist in limiting the power
of Congress in all possible ways. To de-
bar the Federal Government from the ex.
ercise oil authority is to exalt State sove-
regn,y. The exercise of the power in
question may be highly salutary IN ITS
nature--n may be essential to the efil-
cient action of the Government-n may
be power which the States themselves
under the Constitution cannot possibly
exercise-yet these are all regarded as
secondary considerations. To restrain
to prevent-are the objects Of the ul-
ira abstractonisis there is in their doc
trines nothing progre nothing ex-
pansive.
We did not start, however, to discuss
these general topics-bui to allude to
meeting of iron masters and golfers held
not long since IN Richmond, for the pur.
pose oil taking some measures IN behalf
Of the great interests in which they are
concerned, and which are now anguish
ing under the imperfect policy OF the
General Government. One oil the reso-
lutions adopted by the meeting was that
committee of six be appointed to pre-
pare memorial to the present Congress
on the subject Of the Domestic Coal and
Iron Trade, setting forth the importance
ofthose interesis-,he extent of their pre-.
sent depresslon--.he causes which have
contributed to that depressioE-and ask
ing for such modification of the existing
Tariff as will secure reasonable protec-
ton Of those important branches oil de-
mesiic interest. Another resolution re-
commended that the people OF every sec
ton Of the commonwealth interested in
the sale or manufacture Of coal and iron
be invited to hold similar meetings, with
view Of publishing their own convlc-
tons OF the duty Of the government TO
foster those interests, and Of urging the
subject upon the attention of their Repre-
sentatives in Congress.
The Richmond Wing, in reference 10
the proceedings Of this meeting, speaks
very plainly Of the necessity OF protec-
tive Tariff. II remarks:
1t is very common TO hear people say,
that Tariff is ruinous to the SOUTH
This is one of those stale ipse dirits of
the Richie School, which people have
given into without closely investigating.
1t is not sustained by experience. On
the other hand, it is fatty contradictcd by
the entire history OF the country. What
might be the effects Of real free trade
i. o. a free trade on both sides-the in
PRODUCTION into foreign countries OF our
products free of duty, and the admission
of theirs on the same terms, is very diff
fercnt matter. II may be, that such a
system might be beneficial TO US. Blu,
such system has not existcd--does not
exist, and there is not the remot st proba-
biIiiy that il will ever exist. The free
trade is all against US now, aud it will
continue so. We admit English and
French Goods free of duty-and the re.
ward we reap for it, is duty amounting
to almost a prohibition upon our Flour
and Tobacco, with the addition of expos
ing our monetary system to all the nuc-
t,iaions and COMMISSIONS Of the old world.
We have never yet seen man, who
could point out a solitary evil which
would r,sul, to Virginia from high Ta-
riff. lf there be one, we should be OBJ
lged TO him for the Information. We
can see many and important benefits
from protection. The Coal and IRON
the 1--WE grca, sources Of national wealth
and strength-which now lie dormant in
our mountans--would, under the health.
full influences Of protection, give new life
to the entire western portion ofthe State,
and, by furnishing market for the pro-
ducts Of the East, enrich the whole.
THE Ice CRoP HAS FAILED.-A great
deal has been said within the last year on
4 4 &