Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1842-03-08
THE PROTECTIVE TARIFF POLICY.

I'm the House of Representatives. on the 9Th inst
the resolution that the committee Manufactures
be authorised to send tor persons TO obtain iufor-
nation upon the subject of the tariff being under
consideration Mr.. Wood of New York, submitted
the following propositions, and gave notice that he
would at proper time, express his views in full
which he was then prevented from doing BY i'll
ness These propositions worthy Of the careful
reading and reflection of the people =
|. Laws granting exclusive privileges or encou-
ragement to particular classes or professions, are
unequal, and consequently UNJUST and in violation
Of the genius OF institutions. protective tariff
of tins class.
,. Protective duties and high duties are laid up
on fore gn products whether manufactured or raw
to prevent their Importation at prices less than the
same products OF our own country be had, and
must, to be efiectual, be mostly prch bitory. Now
as the mpost system OF taxation was originally
adopted to revenue To defray national expen-
dtures, and high tariff is an abolition of revenue
some other mode of taxation must be devised. hai
shall this mode be
,. But If tariff for protection W. consistent
with tariff Tor revenue, and both would follow the
same regulation of impOsts yet II would be inluri-
Gus 10 commerce. For although decreased mpOr-
tations By the operation OF increased duty, }.
pay the revenue, yet commerce must suffer
additionally, from the fact, that the excluded =
tons would seek other buyers, and of course, other
markets for purchasers
4. high duty tax upon the consumer, TO
the amount OF duty paid upon the foreign article.
and whilst 1t increases the price Of the home madc
article that of the foreign, yet, IN the latter N
stance, the increased price goes INTO the pockets OF
the manufacturers. and not into the treasury there
fore If the object of protection fully obtained.
of excluding the competition OF the foreign cOmmO-
dlty, and supplying It's place solely with home made.
the seventeen millions OF consumers would be extra
! IA a. ,f
the government, TOR the benefit Of the less than
eight hundred thousand engaged IA the manuiac-
lures and trades.
! . Protection is injurious to manufactures IL re-
stricts It's market to home consumption; for other
nations Will retallate the policy Of exclusion and If
they did not, the enhanced pride Of manuflc-
lures would prevent Competition with other
countries. and would rl.se vigorous, specializing
competition at home. winch would destroy the pre-
sent progressive prosperity, by inducing 10 enter
the business men without pie or fortune.
g. Commerce Is the greatest protection OF nanufac
lures and high duties are destructive of commerce.
For high duties discourage importations, induce
nations - turn 10 manufacturing winch before were
content 10 purchase 10y cxchaugc Of raw materals.
encourage smuggling aud other eyasons OF the reyc-
nue. ilw--nduce similar restrictions upon onr pro
ductions Of the sol, and onerous port car-es aaG
vexatons IN maratIme regulations.
= The protective policy hostile 10 tho prosper
ty aud good condition oflhs ,aborng manufacturer.
II is an extended commerce winch coeqaaay cx-
tends the field Of labor, free untraminelled IN
terchange OF commodity y ia the whole universe.
and 4 IS IN the entire absence Of al legislative IN
reference bouuties. that labor VII ind best
reward. and industry It's best protection.
:. The spirit OF the age is tending towards free
trade. The nations Of Europe have recently be
come ANXIOUS enquirers into IT. social and political
advantages. The general assimilation Of customs
regulations and the mutual dependence OF an un-
Id ,fa ftl aud a-t
working of general system, uncontrolled By ambi-
tion or avarce, would IN time cement mankind u
bond, OF amty good VIII. and peace. driving wal
and fam lie from the wo.ld.