Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-10-14

SPEECH or Hos. WILLIAM SMITH, OF VA,
~

In the House IF Representatives., July y, io4-.
Mr.. Chairman: the question under consideration D
one Of the highes. Importance It's object twofold
Ist TO raise for the support OF the Govern
ment I'd. To protect manufactures. The trst ooJec
is Legitimate and indispensable duty. Inc secohe
object IS unwse, nexpedent and destructive oil tne true
interests o the country.
There are four modes Of raising revenue:
First BY Intermediates This mode has prevailed, "a
some extent for about twenty years OF the last ity OF
our Federal existence II is recommended: Isl. be
cause the property, and not the consump ,ion
of HE country Cd. Because it is honest tax, levy
ing directly, upon the people the necessary for Tile
support of Government; and TINS, in effective way
keeping the pcopl. informed Of the millions collected
from them for taxes. Sd. Because, flowing directly
from the pockets of the people, they will exercise great
er vigilance both charge ard expenditure, secure
srcer economy and responsibility, and thus arrest TO
considerable extent, the prngrcss of corruption 9TH
Because il will subject our collecting officers 10 lever
corrupt temptations 5h Because it respect leads
to The corruption of the public morals 9th Because II
is less liable dealcatons, when they occur, 10 loss
of tie public money. 9Th. Because, by it, our reve
nue. will be more cheaply collected Sih. Because II
places rs near as he, the burden of Government
upon the whole people and upon each in proper
ton his property 9th Because il gives to our do.
nestle industry lis widest scope and span; the mar
kes of the world and the friendship Of all nations; Sc
cures The largest amount of excangeable values, and
The most bid accumulation Of wealth 10Th Because
brings into premature existence no branch OF indus
try. 1ih Because it leaves every man to that occu
patton or pursuit, TO which his taste judgment
may incline him; relieves the country from one source
OF agitation and excitement, and thus tends 10 strength
en- and consolidate free institutions. For these,
and other reasons, which time will not allow me to
enumera,e !, speaking only for myself, under due
sense of my responsibility, declare my decided prefer
ence for direct over indirect, internal over cxernal
taxes.
Secondly. BY imposing duties upon foreign goods,
the like whereof not made grown in this country
Thirdly. BY imposing equal, uniform duties upon all
imports This is the principle OF the Compromise act.
Fourhy. BY imposing duties mainly upon such I'M
ports only in conflict with factory system
Thus using great and essential power OF the Con-
s,ution for the purpose Of disturbing the industry OF
the country; pamperng one interest at the expense Of
all the rest exciting the hostility OF foreign powers and
breaking up that equality OF right, without Whch, lhe
Union cannot be preserved
This is protection, and this IS the character OF the OIL
now under consideration.
lam aware, Mr. Chairman, that protection as such,
is not generally contended for 1t is revenue only
which gentlemen profess TO desire II this were So
why was reference made at all 10 the Committee on
Manufacturer Why not have referred, at once, the
whole subject Of duties TO the Committee OF Ways
and Means, the appropriate committee, as its very
name implies? The truth is, protection IS the great
object md revenue the incident merely invertng the
legitimate powers Of this Government and making u
the instrument of wrong and oppression, and not Of
prosperity and freedom.
OF all The nations which ever joined in the march Of
time this Republic possesses, in preeml degree
he elements of real greatness blessed with Con-
s,i,u,ion formed BY union of the purest patriot.
ism and the most enlightened wsdom-witha popua-
ton that mingIcs beneyoence with enterprise, and mo-
raity with desire for gain-that possesses an industry
that never tires, and enterprise that earlessy en-
counters every perl-a courage that dares TO meet
foe, and nlagnanmity that readily iorg'Ves MN
with country fertile the Nile, and embracing
the capacities of almost every clme-our young en-
erqies untrammeled, and our substance yet our own
nothing is wanting 10 enable 10 realize the
dreams Of Utopan philosophy, but to let our INDUS
trin pursuits alone But this, fear, is not to be per-
miited The high prerogave OF freedom-to buy cs
cheap as cam and sell as dear as we can-is not TO
be allowed The doctrine that the selhshness OF man
is the safe counsellor in the selection of his occuPa-
ton or pursuit, is 10 be exploded. And government
wiser and shewder than individual man. is to prescribe
and regulate the different branches OF industry
This Outrage upon the intelligence Of the age is vim
dicated, however, upon variety of reasons, which
will proceed TO consider.
Ist Reason for Protection.
That 1T WILL CREATE A HOME MARKET FOR OUR
SURPLUS.
The value Of home market, created by Legislation,
may he more than questionable may be denied. IL
depends upon the muable opinions OF men, ne po
lcy of to-day may be abandoned tomorrow. a nome
market, which springs into being under The operation
Of natural causes cannot be too highly appreciated.
is but little subject TO changes-is seaoy as the "a"''
OF man-and may be safely counted on, 10 the opera
tions Of labor and capital.
But any market created by lao is dear one-Ih's
truth is established by the law itself You create .
home market, by refusing TO our people the privilege Oh
buying in the cheapest market and compelling them
to buy what they need at higher prices, Of portion OF
people, who, in consequence thereof have been m
duced 10 engage in manufacturing industry. Wtnout
duties, we will suppose get from foreign ma
nuacurer hundred yards of cotton cloth for bar
rel of -four. But own manufacturers, under sPc'
cious idea of home market, prevail upon US to impose
upon the foreign article duty of twenty per ccnt-'n
consequence whereof, we get from our manufacturer
only eighty yards of cloth for barrel OF -four Inc
object is atiaincd-we have home market-but is II
not dear one'
From the adoption Of our present Constitution, up
to the late war, our manufacturers were aided By The
imposition Of light duties From the war, up 10 .he
present time. they hu ve been aided with high duties,
amounting in many respects TO actual prohib',lon-
Let us SEE the sort of home market the manufacturers
have given US:
,r;oos in Roefnn in the wears