Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-03-29

what Then, let us consider, consti-
tute the resources Of this country, and
what are the effects of war on them?
Commerce and agriculture, till lately
almost the only, still constitute the
PRINCIPAL sources Of our wealth. So
long as these remain uninterrupted,
the country prospers: but war, as we
e now circumstanced, is equally des-
1uctive to both. They both depend
foreign markets; and our country
placed, as regards them, in situa-
ion strictly insular. A wide ocean
rolls between us and our ma 'kets.
Our commerce neither is nor can be
protected by the present means OF the
country.
What, then, are the effects ola war
with a maritime power--with England!
Our commerce annihilated, spreading
individual misery, and producing ma
tional poverty; our agriculture cut off
from its accustomed markets, the sur
plus product Of the farmer perishes on
his hands; and he ceases to produce,
because he cannot sell.-His resources
are dried up while his expenses are
greatly increased? as all manufactured
articles, the necessaries, as well as the
conveniences Of life, rise to an extrava-
CANT price. The recent war fell with
peculiar pressure on the growers OF
cotton and tobacco, and other great
staples Of the country; and the same
state Of things will recur at the event
Of another, unless prevented by the
foresight Of this body. If the mere
statement Of facts did not carry convic-
ton to every miLd as he conceives, it
is calculated to do, additional argu-
ments might be drawn from the gener-
al nature ofwealth. Neither agricul-
ture, manufactures or commerce, Ia
ken separately, is the cause Of wealth,
it flows from the three combined; and
cannot exist without each.
The wealth of any single nation or
an individual, it is true, may not imme-
diately be derived, from the three;but 1t
always presupposes the existence otthe
three sources, though derived imme-
dlately from one or two Of them only.
Taken in its most enlarged sense, with
out commerce, industry would have no
stimulus, without manufactures, itwould
beuncertain without agriculture neither
the others exist. When separated en-
tirely and permanently, they must
perish.
War, in this country, produces, to
great extent, that separation; and hence
tho great embarrassment which fol-
lows in its Etrain. The failure of the
wealth and resources Of the nation ne
cessarily involved the ruin of its fnan-
ces AMI its currency. 1t is admitted
by the most strenuous advocates, on
the other side, that no country ought
TO be dependent on another for its
means of !e(ence that, at least our
musket and bayonet, our cannon and
ball, ought to be domestic manulac-
ture.
But what, he asked, is more neces-
sary to the defence Of country, than
its currency and finance? Circumstance
ed as our country is, can these stand
the shock Of war? Behold the effect of
the late war on them. When our
manufactures are grown to a certain
perfection as they soon will, under the
fostering care of government, we will
no longer experience those evils. The
farmer will find ready market for his
surplus produce, and what is almost
Of equal consequence, a certain and
cheap supply Of all his wants. His
prosperity will dilfuse itself 10 every
class in the community and instead Of
that languor Of industry and individual
distress now incident to a state Of war
and suspended commerce, the wealth
and vigor of the community will not
be materially impaired. The arm Of
government will be neryed, and taxes,
in the hour Of danger, when essential
to the independence Of the nation, may
be greatly increased; loans so uncer-
tain and hazardous, may be relied on;
thus situated, the storm may beat with
out, but within all be quiet and safe.
To give perfection to this state of things
it will be necessary to add, as soon as
possible, system Of internal improve
ments, and at least such an extension
ofour navy as will prevent the cutting
off Of our coasting trade. The advan-
tage Of each is so striking, as not to
require illustration, especially after the
experience of the recent war. 1t is
thus the resources Of this government
and people, would be placed beyond
the power ola foreign war materially to
impair.
Washington Republican Of 1923.
A little occurrence in the House of
Representatives, few days ago, Gre
4 i 1 NJ