The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-01-28
From the Phiia Spit ofihs Times.
THE TARIFF QUESriON--THE HOME
LEtuUE..TiifIRE IS NO NEED OF
pROTECTEuN.

As the subject Of the Tariff is at present under
discussion in Congress, it may not he out of place
to make few general remarks on the same head,
at the present juncture.
The Report of the Secretary of the Treasury
speaks Of the necessity for general increase Of the
Tariff, with view to the replenshmont al the ma
lionul Golfers. The Secretary adds, that "as long
as the policy Of other countries shall exclude the
products of our agriculture from their ports, and
thus deny to US the advantage Of fair reciprocity
in trade it would appear to be equally the dictate of
policy and justice to our people to secure 10 them,
us far MS may be done, II market Of consumption
for THEN produce in their own country"
Now this sounds very prelt:Iy on paper We
however venture 10 suy,a paragraph more deusl'e
and unsound in principle, was never written by
any political economist.
1t is strange that some Of our wisest statesman
should thus cling TO n doctrine so lnllacous and
contrary to every principle of reason ard truth 1t
seems to have taken possession ollhe minds of the
great mass of people, that high Tariff and Prolec
live Laws, are absolutely indispensable 10 make our
cation rich, prosperous and happy.
Now, with all Difference, we affirm the contrary
We deny that there is any need ola Tariff at all.
Our manufacturers and agriculluralis, require no
Tariff regulations, and our people would be much
better off if not single dollar was ever received
through the medium of Customs. We care not
what is the policy Of other nations in this respect,
the American people should set in example TO the
country We would soon see the glorious result
Of an unrestricted intercourse with the whole world,
if we would allow free trade and no tra!li regua-
tons to work their legitimate detail.
| Our readers are perhaps aware that there Is I'M
association in this country, called the Home Lea
cue for The Protection of Amcri.Gn Labor, and
The Promotion Of Reciprocal Commerce." That
able political economist ard sound thinker, Amos
Kendall well denominates the Home League IA
combination 10 tor american la6or, and destroy
foreign commerce."
| 10 show the practical effect Of the measures
proposed by the Home League, we annex the kind
ofuriirles imported into the United States--gi'e
their value, and add the proceeds Of! duty equal
to twenty-five per cent.
The articles impaired 10 the country are WOODEN,
silk, and cotton manufacturers, lace, cNrPcns
hats and bunnets, boots and shoes, leather cabinet
ware, soap, manufactures of iron and steel, cop,
per- brass, tin, pewter and lead, manufactures Of
flax and henp, enrlhen wnre and stone ware plated
gilt, and npRnncd wares, saddlery, worsed stuff
goods. watches, glass manufactures, cotton bag
ging, oil cloths, paper hanging books, hair cloths.
brushes jewellery, salipee, cigars, white aud red
lead, cordasc, twin corks, &c.
The amount and value Of all these articles is
$47,S70 ,SS3. OF the same articles, the United
States export S3,80D,5 $40 Consumption in this
country, $43, 5G4 1872 worth per annum,
Cos, Of the articles as above stated, $43,5G4 ,36l
And the duty OF Twenty-Five per cent ito
protect American labor" 1851 o9t
Cos, under the Protective System, 53,4l5,55:
Thus it is clearly por'cd that the farmer, me
chanic and the people generally, arc compelled ,'
pay annually about eierea million Of dollars, To-
the articles imported into this country, under lh'
dclusivc idea Of protecting " American labor"
How miichieyous then is the notion Of adequate
protecting duties. BY the scheme Of rs per cent
duty, the farmer, planter, mechanic, laburcr, an'
other would be compelled to pay twenty, tily, o
one hundred per cent. more for what they uu.
than they do ut the plescn! time,
If we do not wish to introduce distress into GU
fair land like ns we find in all countries where ih
product, md fabrics Of other countries nre inter
dicted we will forthwith repeu! all Tariff laws
By pursuing the contrary to all commercial rcstrc
lions we would eventually secure our people tn
highest and mos, permanent advantages becous
Great Britain (anc other counries) iuicls grlcv
,ious wrong upon her own industry rs wei as ina
Of her ncighhors, it is no reason why we shout
, initiate her unwse conduct in this respect lie
cause she thinks proper to cut Oft her right hand
we should not be so foolish rs TO cut oil our ell
We say, then, again, let there be no restrictions
2 whatever in commerce and trade, and most g!or
Gus result sill speedily follow this dictate Of poit
cal wisdom.