The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-05-20
From The NORTH Star.
LAME EXCUSES.-WHO IS RESPON.
SIRIE!

The Repor, of Mr. Satonslall, on the Tariff. i,
received with but little favor, by a large propor-
ton Of the people. Even the Wing papers, with
but few exceplions-journal, which favor, in a
general sense the highest pro,ecton-do not en-
doTse ii fully. The praise bestowed upon it, is to
say the least. equvocal. They are sensible tho
Report is not what it should be. They know /,
hsors manufactures too much; and they are also
aware, that snch policy can ne, or become popu-
lar,
And yet, Notwithstanding these dc ubts and mis-
glvlngs, frivolous excuse Is framed in order that
the olium and responsibility may not res, upon
the Committee comprising as it does, n majority Of
Wings, headed BY u politician who was a princi.
pal actor in the Hartford Convention. The plea
is, Ignorance. The Committee, say the VI hs
journals, did not know what the farmers wanted
had no meas of iniormntion-no facts, no agr.
cultural statistics, &c. Admitting this statement
to be true, what excuse does il afford How
does it tally with the specious doctrine ayowed by
certain wing leaders. that the bes! mode Of pro,sc-
ting agriculture, Is TO protect manufactures How
would 1t correspond with the sentiment Of Henry
Clay, that agriculture wants but little protec-
uon J" We believe the Committee acted on this
principal, and knew ut what object they were aim
ing. viz, exclusive privilege. They were Ear from
naely they had little or no sympathy for him.
Think you, reader. that this committee comprising
men of intelligence and capital, and headed by
representative from one Of the New England States
did not know the general character of our frmers'
Could they have been ignorantly blind 10 the fact,
that New England raises vast quantities Of wool,
constituting her staple product! Were they not
aware Of the fact that this article needed protec-
lion? Ies-but the committee WIS willfully blind
--uvariciously oodwnked-selfsh hy ignorant
They did not wish 10 see things in their true light
! In connection with this subject we turn to the
Report Of the Committee, from which we propose
to make one or two extracts, in which allusor 10
had TO wool The public, after reading them. can
Judge whether the plea of ignorance is well foun-
ded. The first extract is as follows:
1.-THE great interest connected with wool, is
growth and manufactures, require the continuance
Of the protective policy orihe Government. Those
vast interest (Ior they may By considered as den-
ica) are in a state Of great depression, as will be
seen by referring 10 the statements Of Nj Schenck
and Of Mr. Cuts, one u committee from Windsor
county. Vermont. There ave now in the United
States, according TO the census, at least O,O0O,-
900 sheep. The capital invested, estimating the
sheep at SO each. and the land necessary for their
subsistence (being at the rate Of one acre for three
Sheep at Sl2 per acre, would amount 10 $780,
900 1000; - which should be added the invest
lnen,s necessary for the support Of those engaged
in the care of tho sheep, the clipping OF the wool.
SC. amounting TO some millions more. The an
nual product Of wool may be estimated ut MY
millions Of pounds"
Does the above extract look like want oil infor-
nation on the pait Of the Committee! Does "
not disclose the vast amount Of agricultural capt
ial invested in the wool growing business, soeins