Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-02-28

tne great manufacturing and dependent ihterestsj
but do say that f it had been understood at the
commencement of the session that this subject
would have been referred to that committee, il
would have been differently constituted. And |
will now say that, it this subject is to be commit
ted to it, it ought, forthwith, TO be reorganized
The Committee on Manufactures has, very
properly been formed with view to this pnrticu
lar subject 1t is understood TO be composed of
six members in favor oflhe protecting system, and
three against il. This is as it should be and this
is the reason why the gentleman from N. Hnmp-
shire wishes to take this child from the arms of
its natural guardians, who will nurse md AXE care
of it, and put it into the hands of committee,
constituted, to say the least, with no reference to
It's claims to guardianship and protection.
Under existing circumstances, consider the n
mendnent OF the gentleman from New Hamli-
shire, If it preva Is, antamount a declaration
on the part of this House TINT it will institute no
inquiry into the subject OF observation-disclosures
in fact TO nbolishing the Committee on Manuluc
lures For sir, what lins that committee to do to
carry out the purpose indicated by lis name, un
less i acts with reference to the tariff of duties
on imports? This has, hitherto, been the mode,
and the only mode, by which protection to Amer
lean industry hos been effected. The Committee
on Manufactures, them is to be, in effect abolish
ed, and all examination with distinct reference
TO the subject OF protection, is to he dispensed
with. Aud now let me appeal 10 gentlemen on
all Sides and of all parlies-East, West, North,
aud South-to say whether they are prepared 10
come to vote which shall speak such language
ms this. The gentleman from New Hampshire
may be prepared for it. lie may be prepared to
abolish the committee, and shut the door against
all examination into the great interests which so
deeply concern the prosperity Of his own, as they
do that of the Green Mountain State" As this
is evidently his object, by does he not come out
boldly and avow it? Why did lie not second the
motion OF the gentleman from Virginia Mr..
Smith TO lay the resolution of reference the
tnl1 oil n y IN nIn Ipun Yps "a
10 abolish the Committee on Manufactures But,
no he neither makes seconds any such mo-
ton. He chooses TO get AT the result by tnduec-
ton If rec0llect right, sir, that gentleman once
offered series of resolutions here, (the famous
"Atherton resnutons'O one of which declared
"that Congress has no right to do that indirectly
which it cannot DO directly" And now here is
the gentleman violating his rue--seeking to
do indirectly what lie dare not attempt directly
but which the gentleman from Virginia is willing
to do openly and whut disguise.
As it is thus rendered apparent that the success
ofihe geniemap's motion WILL in effect, abolish The
Com. on Manufactures, aud indicate DISPOSE
ton ON the part of this House to abandon the
protecting policy, propose to examine the origin
and the history of the policy to urge the duty Of
its continuance, and to call the attention OF the
House to the crisis which is impending in refer
ence to the interests for which it established.
The nature and necessity Of the policy in ques-
ton indicated by lis name. 1t the protecting
policy. 1t supposes the existence of policy
,, which is to he counteraced--of attacks which
are to he repelled 1t acts on the defensive, aud
ceuses to act only when foreign legislation ceases
to render its action necessary. That necessity has
existed from the very commencement OF this Guv-
I eminent. The achievement of our independence
did not change The policy Of the mother country.
That policy had been to prohibit the manufactures,
to discourage the navigation, and TO restrain the
commerce of the colonies Tor give single direc-
lion to their industry, and to make it tributary 10
F, British wralti, ard power. The triumphs Of the
Revolution relieved us from the power of British
arms, hut 1t did no, emancipate us from the pow
es of British legislation. Tint legislation, it i.
true, had ceased 10 act us directly, but it still
reached 1t prohibited our trade with British
colonies it discouraged our navigation, by i'm
! posing discriminating duties on our tonnage and
, il prohibited or hurdened with excessive duties
, the importation OF every production of our indus
, try which could come in competition with British
industry. Ii was then, as il is now, the policy Of
Great Britain to supply herself and the world with
the creations of her own industry-to buy moth
ing which she could produce, end TO sell every
thing which she could induce others to purchase
Such too, was substantially the policy toward.
us of all Europe. II is needless to say that under
> its operation, manufactures anguished, unt
. our commerce and navigation were crippled ant
, Frustrated. There was but one remedy for al
this. Ii proiective legislation. To this thu
Government OF the Confederation was inconpe
, as 10 reach tue evil. Ii could lay no imposis Il
check the flood Of foreign manufactures, which
. wers exhaustng the country TO foster the indus
q try and augment the wealth of others. The STATE
: Governments could not act in concert, aud were
, therefore poweress. Their disconnected eiior
. were unava,ling
E A sense of this great defect pervaded the coun
/, try, and aided in irnpressng upon it conviction
, of the necessity of n new Government. Said Mr.
Ames, in the debate, in the first Congress, on th'
!, revenue BILL To which | shall hereafter refer -
81 conceive sir, that the present Constitution dictae
by commercial necessity, more than any other cause !he da
Of efficient Government The manufacturing Interests
commerce, long by iudg
men and pointed out by patriots soeou to promote our gen
1t was in this state of things that the Conslitu
to ton was formed and this very state of thing
$ constituted one OF the chief reasons for formin!
!, it, In this respect, above all Others there wa
=, need of "a moie perfect union j for, in aolhinl
,, was the old one more imperfect than in this.
If The new Government was hailed US the instru
i ment of deverance from commercial ihradom
The people recognised in its power 80 regulnt,
= the commerce with foreign nations and 10 "la,
u and collect taxes duties, impOsls and oxclsss Il
: pay the debts aud provide for the common de-
. fence and general welfare" the power to perform
= the Indispensable duty of protecting their indus
J, try in the great departments Of agriculture, com
Is merce, and manufactures.
Q To enable us to enter more fully into the view
= in which the protecting policy originated, as wei
" TO show how the question OF constitutional pow
u er was regarded by the people, at the moment TN
y new Government went into operation, it may b.
useful to recur to some OF their petitions, presen
i ted to Congress at its first session under the Con
" stitution.
u | have before me "the petition of the trades
J. men, mechanics, and others, of the town of Bal
70 timorc," TO which find appended the names o
e seven hundred aud thrty-two citizens of tina
d town, and which humbly showeth :"
That the close of the late and the completion
he VOnT
greet the manufacturing and trading interests OF the country rap
u idly declining while the wealth of the people hath been prod
gay expended purchase articles from foreigners
which citizens if properly encouraged, we've fully comps
tent to furnish
! "To check this growing evil applications were made by
Is tons Legislatures. These guardians q
tho people the nteTposed their
Laws We're by enacted, with the view of subdung