Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-07-04
ooMMUNIoArIoN.
run EDITOR OF TnE ENQulRER a TnE rARl

rus EDITOR OF THE enquirer 4 the TARIFF /
I have carefully looked over the article in the /
Literary Messenger, on the protective policy, in
der to ascertain Il OF the sentiment imputed to
the author by MIR Richie and his "young Sampson"
,cho slsc G0liah were correctly represented; and 10
my establishment find that the little s,tiplns" was
20 busy with his sling and pebbles, that he has been
betrayed into palp,ble and positive isquotntiop,
and that his venerable hacker has totally perverted
the writer's meaning. Now for the proof. "SAmp'
son" makes the following quotation from the Essay,
using inverted commas to signify that'the same is
verbatim ct httTatm; "Thc success and prosperity
Of the single facory OF Lowell, indeed of all the
factories OF the No IN, is conclusive argument in
fsvour OF turning the United States into n manuflc-
turing country at once, by the imposition of pro-
tective du,ios." And again: "The TauG," says
the writer, "srors foreign importation, and pcodu
css stable and uniform currency" Now, will the
reader believe possible. that there is not ono syl.
Liable of truth in these quotations., and that they
purely inventons OF tho critic HIMSELF wondered
II the writer in the Messenger could have possibly
recommended tas,ii ON tho ground tia, it r,rrED
all inporiatcn; but find he has been guilty OF no
such absu-dity. lie does indeed contend ths,
rarif would diminish tresssipe importation, and
at home as bNsis of Bank circulation. But this
is more than what experience has fully proved,
and wha, every rightly cons tu,-d mind must be-
! lievc. Again: Both Mr Richie and his young
prodigy represent the author OF the Messenger ar
iicle, as describing the factory girls at Lowell rs
livng in luxury. Haunting in fine dresses and en-
joyng high wages. Now this IS most unfair aud
dsingenuous. The author Of the essay referred to-
cited the factory at Lowell, standing reu.
tation of the charge, that even well conducted
manufacturing establishments were nurseries of
crime and disease. lie says not a word about fine
dresses, high wages, or luxurious ivng-but the
contrary, alleges it as proof OF the sourd moral
and virtuous pursuits of the female operatives that
even with their scan,y earnings they not only
able 10 lay up somethn, for after life, but that
their "intervals OF toll" are devoted TO books and
music. | envy not the feelings Of that man, who
could deem it encroachment upon his arisioero;ic
privileges, that poor factory girl should have some
relish for mental enioyments.
| Mr. Richie SAYS tina, he brought his free trade
principles into the Office of the Richmond Enquirer,
as tar back 1904, and that he first imbibed them
from the profound pages OF Adam smith. do
not know precisely whit may bc MIR RS taste on
the subject, but | certainly should not look to n
British Tory writer, for opinions and principles TO
guide me in Judging Of the wants and interests OF
my own country. IL stirs my American blood
when see men, whose duty il is TO watch over the
interests of their nation referring matters OF
home policy, to the authority of English Books,
which were written for the express purpose OF pro
noting British interests ut the expense Of every
other nation. II Adam Smiths work be the unnn-
swerable oracle which Mr. Richie represents why
does it happen that British $ atesmen have uni
formly spurned and secuted ut it's doctrines in the
business of practical legislation | presume that
Fox and Pitt, and Pueney, and Pelham. and We'll
ington, and hundred others, were just ms good
practical Statesmen Adam Smith; ard vet these
men never pretended to adopt in practice the wild
theories and specious faces of that ingenious PHI
losopher. Oh but says MIR Rilchie-Ensland is on |
the ofbrehking the letters of her restrictive system
and returning TO the bmc doctrines Of free trade
To my certain knowledge and recollection Mr. (
Richie has uttered this prediction every now ard |
then, for the last thirty years and yet hts never
been realized. Whenever the American Congress |
has had the Tariff under consideration, the British
Parliament has Immediately taken up the same |
subject, and by some cOntemptible manouvre or |
dslngenuous profession OF liberal principles ndu- |
cod TIE American people TO believe that British !
Ports were To be Immediately opened 10 American |
products. The game has generally been played so /
skilfullY rs to produce lis effect. In 1892 49, Hus-
kissOn and Hume, made vast professions about free
trade; bu; the folly and treas on Of South
Carolina succeeded in bringing about the C7mpro- |
mise Act, 1.-The principal source, in my humble Cpl |
Mon, Of most of our pecunarY distresses) the En-
gliSh Parliament became perfectly mute the
subject The late miserable attempt of Sir Robert
Peel gull this country will recoi. upon its cunning
author. He came into power upon the strength of
his high restrictive and corn law monopoly notions;
he carried the cleo ons against Lord Melbourne,
upon the very ground that the Administration of
the latter too favorable the doctrines Of free
trade, and vet ne has hid the machless eilroncry
come into Parli1ment and recommend q revision of
the tauif as to admit manufactured fabrics from
abroad at a duty of 30 per cent. Not word does
he say about the produces OF foreign agriculture
the Tobacco If Virginia and other ST tes-ihe Cot
ton OF the South or the lumber of the North. Flour
10 be sure, may he admitted when the nation is on
the brink Of Starvation, and till then; and as TO
any subs snol benefit 10 the or ing sections
Of this country, from the modification of the corn
ls~s-thc expectation is idle md rd cu!ous in the
extreme The tar # of Sir Robert Peel, however,
appears by The latest accounts has not yet passed
the House Of Commons. They have only promised
to pass Il, and will venture the prediction that
they will not, and that they dare not pass it even
upon the recommendation of the Premier. Lord
knniard SAID, but the other day, in the House of
Lords, tina, the whole affair a humbug.
IL is astonishing that MIR Ruchis, either cannot or
will not, see The broad dsunctIon between free trade
among Independent E1tions, and as between the Sc
p1rate parts Of the same nation. The States Of this
Union have free and unrtstric ed IN ercourse with
each other, rs guaranteed by The Constitution and
laws but Is that any reason why should open /
our ports freely 10 fore IN nations who do not Grant
10 US the same advantages he same freedom OF /
Intercourse} Can that bc ca led fee trade which |
IS altogether one side7 II | allowed nv neish- |
hor TO come upon my grounds and enjoy The fruits
OF the earth and the fat Of tie aud, al trh 0g cos
and he on the o'her hand to prohibit the use
OF his own products except Il an enormous pre |
MUM would that amOunt TO free md rccprorni 1
intercourse among friendly ne'ehbors7 That rannOt !
be tree and equal Commerce between two nations
which yields al the benefit 10 one and denies all |
advantage to the other and Eng and would no more
relax her system so as 10 admit the products Of /
foreign labor 10 interfere with her own, than she |
would consent Ia the universal conf isrntion Of her
manufacturing townsville Blowing M of her sbiD.
ping, or tie ravasing Of her far and fruitful and !
beautiful ngrcuitur'l domain. The truth is, that
The doctrine oflree trade with foreign nations is now
considered, nmong enlightened men, as a most pre-
moon. struck poiucIans or hockreyej dcmsgogues
would have the hardwood to defe d. Even Nj
Wise, who processes 10 be 6nti-tarin man. said
IN late speech which he delivered in Congress,
that-"the doctrine Of universal, otetnll equality /
among nations was q sort OF free trade which he re-
pudlated with scorn; Il was oosmopolIe. imprncti.
cnble, utOp'an: but domestic. home equality was
what he should ever contend for" (Sce lnteh |
gencer Of 23d June) Mr. Cushing, on the same o.. l.
ca5iOn, enafges upon The idea, IN tho following
beautiful passage, which Mr.. Richie, with his an,
tqu1ted pre- idiccg might receive some benefit from
reading. Here Il is. "Mr Gushing was no cosmo- /
polite. lie went gainst oil cosmopoli.e Commerce
and cosmopOite all else, which wos against AMg-
LtcAEIsN. II wns the interests Of these IT, States
which he was sent TO that Hall TO promote. Tle
should sacrifice his duty-dcscr his trust, add VIC.
late the spirit Of the Constitution, could he consent
10 throw oil tho innumerabic rdvnntaree potsrserd