Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1842-07-09
HOME INDUSTRY,


received, and although The American character
IS famed t-r is enterprise, YET until within few
years, no eor, made to prove our ability 10
compete with those countries which have been fur
nishng Us with tina, fabric II was az experiment
ana j. is sti !, okel uPon such by many persons
tCaphalIsts are unwilling 10 embark in the busI~
ness unless they think there Is a probability OF
realizing more than ordinary interest or profit
on The 10 be invested. There arc many
old and mediums through which money can
De made, and those who have funds are no, wi.
ing to give certainty for an uncertainty. We
believe that So far our climate and the ingenu
.Iny OF our mechanics is concerned, can
compete with any country or any people. In
tact the peculiar organization Of our institutions,
exciting as they do laudablo ambition among
the mechanics, we believe Americans sur.
pass all others. But we have before said, the
people have not that confidence necessary to 10
duce them TO embark in the business. To ere
ate that confidence 1t would be wisdom IN those
who have the control OF the affairs Of this coun-
try 10 place such duty on the article of silk as
would convince the people tina, they would be
sure Of a fair interest for the funds they may
wish to invest in the manufacture Of that article
/
the ability TO manufacture all the silks
consume; no pro ecilon will be necessary further
than 10 protect the laborers from competition
with low wages of the operators in Europe. We
/ hope the day may never come, W hen those who
work in manufactures shall be compelled TO toll
as they do under other governments for tho mis-
cradle plttance of shilling day. Under jus,
administration of our republican institutions that
day will never come. Centuries will roll away
before country will become densey popu,
lated as TO render the poor the slaves of the rich
as they in Europe. So long the people
hold their present supremacy IN The political C
economy OF the government, they will protect
themselves. Patty spIri, and selfish ambition may
for time weigh down the energies Of the poor,
but they will finally, after duly considering their
situation, throw off the unholy shackles of party,
or IN their Indignation hurl from place and power,
the ambitious demagoguo who would usurp pow
er contrary 10 the genius of equal rights.
The suckers for free trade, as they call the
one-sided traffic they advocate, appear to have
hydrophobic dread Of monopolies, as they choose
to call all partnerships where wealth is concern.
trated for the purpose Of carrying gu, any great
or extensive work. And are not sure bu,
/
rae TO the ground every mandatory in the
country-level to the earth the labor and enter
prise Of every American citizen who has aspired
TO elevate the character Of his country in the me-
chanic arts, and TO acquire that degree Of wealth
which should enable him TO enjoy individual indie
pondeuce and contribute some thing 10 aid his
country IN her progress 10 national greatness
strip from their country every vestige of indie
pendence, and then throw themselves upon the
tender merces Of the Eur0pean monopofistS.-
What tribute would this country pay TO England
If we had to depend upon her manufacturers for
all our goods? The tribute that the slares
Of the East Indies pay to Great Britain. Not
merely tho tribute paid by her Canadian sub
jects, but the same those subjects who arc held
as shares by her arm Of power Would VIC not
be subject TO her power? Could no. her monop
oIlss dictate TO US the prices should pay them'
But this is speaking Of that which can never be,
and We have only alluded TO i. for the purpose of
showing the degraded position TO which these
lev eers would lead the country.
The manufacturing interests of this country,
which is as intimately connected with the hgr-
cultural interests is the rearing of sheep The
cultivation of grain, cannot be sustained without,
the protection of the government. The reason
iE plain and simple. The laborers and operatives +
in the English factories are siaves-here they I
are free men-there they work for shilling
day, and hero they must have something like a
dollar per day. Bring down our operatives TO
level with those OF Eng land and we need pro-
lection
Our object however in the commencement Of
this article was no, to discuss the tariff question:
but we have inadvertently fallen into IT. We
simply wished 10 say that the manufacture of silk
having but recently been attempted IN our coun-
try, and SO many millions of money having been
sen; away for sken fabrics of various kinds, we
think. that II 10 a q especial manner deserves the