The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1842-01-08

Iol Vic pun PoSO VI pio'otti'S NV '"""
interest; ami they are compelled to pay
all advanced price, not only on the grain
produced in England, but on that which
is received from other countries.
In this country, the amount OF agricul-
'tural produce is much greater Than will
supply the home demand, and the sur
plus is sent abroad to contend for the
market of the world. The projections,
whether of the land or sea, or'of domes-
tic manufactures or mechanical labor
which are exported to foreign markets
require no protection, and can receive
none, from system Of duties and res
trictions, But all who are employed III
producing the various articles, which now
supply the export demand, would lose a
part of their profits by being compelled
to pay higher prices for whatever they are
Obliged to use or consume; and their cap
i.al and industry would be taxed and dis
,couraged for the purpose Of ensurlng
greater profits to those who have thought
proper 10 engage in other pursuits.
The protective policy dimnishes the
value of land in two ways, first by less
ening the profits OF cultivation, and Sc
condly by diverling capital from agricul-
tural investments.
1t reduces the value Of labour, by tax
ing the means of subsistence; and dlmin-
ishes the amount of goods consumed,
without lessening the amount of money
paid for them by the consumers.
1t encourages smugylin g, increases the
number of revenue officers, and mullplies
crimes and punishments.
The protective policy, in this country,
operates unequaily on dinereRt interests
and:on different sections of the country,
and falls more heavily on the business Of
the country than of the towns,
1t shackles the commerce of the United
States, and operates as a bounty on the
trade of the neighbonnng British pro-
Tlnces.
1t causes sudden extension of the
manufacturing business beyond the exis-
ting capital of the country, which cannot
he Immediately Withdrawn from other
pursuits; and fictitious capital must there
fore be supplied by new banks created for
that purpose. New companies, without
skill or xperience, and trading on Dor.
rowed cap tai soon begin to be cmbaIras-
sed; and then ii is found that new tariff
is required to remedy the defects of the
old. The tariff of 1924 was thus follow
ed by the tariff Of 1928; and the effect Of
these measures, upon various interests of
the country, may be inferred from the en-
'eouragment then given to ship building; Il
branch of business, which gives employ
Gent and support to- greater number of
mechanics, tradesmen, and lsborers, than
all the manufacturing companies of the
United States. Previously to 1924, cop
per, iron, hemp, sail duck, and other ma
,erials, for ship building, were charged
with oppressive duties; which were rails
ed by the tariff of that year to so enor-
nous rate that it seemed to be the deter
mination ofthe government to drive our
ships from the ocean. According to the
statement, made by Mr.. Webster in his
speech on the tarif'bill, The duties on the
materials used in the construction and
equipment of 4 ship Of $50 tons, with
copper fastnings, but not with coppered
bottom, amounted to fourteen hundred
dollars. This tax of nearly four dollars
O. ton did not afford sufficient encourage
ment TO other branches of American
industry, and it was raised TO the proper
scale OF protection by the tariff of 1923.
1t has been seriously commended, that
the extensive cultivation of cotton in the
Southern States is the effect Of the Ameri-
can system; though no explanation is Civ
en, why duty at home should create
foreign demand fer it. The sugar of
Louisiana has certainly been protected by
the tariff because the quantity produced
was not sufficient to supply the home de-
mand. 1t is doubtful however, whether
the sugar planters lasve gained as much
by the enhanced value of their crops, as
ahey have lost by the higher prices. which
they have been compelled to pay for 9TH
er protected articles. 1t is hardly neces-
sary to show, that the duty on cotton is
entirely imperative; and that no article,
which is cheaper at home than elsewhere,
and isssent abroad to find better markets,
can receive the least protection from du-
ties and restrictions. Cotton might be
brought into the Omitted States from Tex
as or Egypt, without affecting the inter-
ests of the Southern States; because it
would only be making circuitous voy-
age to France or England, instead of be-
ing exported directly to those countries
drom the place Of its growth.
The main principle of the protective
policy is. that every country eughtto pro-
duce at home, whatever is required for the
use of its inhabitants; and to provide
home market Tor the products of its own
industry. If this principle were carried
into practice, all commercial intercourse
between nations would cease; the great
cities of the world would be converted
into ruins; ships would no longer be seen
frAyerSInO the pcaap. opJ irnnranco and