Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1842-08-18

pClloC vi lltC COllSQluC 10 tlllo III
found in the Constitution But, if such
a thing could constitutionally be done,
is not Congress bound first to inquire
whether what the claimants of protec-
ton state is true or not? Has it been as
scertained that prices are too low to sus-
tain manufacturers, or that the protec-
ton demanded is at all necessary? In
stead of making these inquiries, the
manufacturers have been asked how
much duties they wish for; and not a
question has been asked on the other
side: thus allowing Government to be
made the instrument in the hands Of one
branch Of the community, for transfer
ring money into its pockets from the
pockets of the other branch Of the COM
munity. Such propositions have ever
had their advocates and their arguments
as they now have.
The real competition is, not with TO-
reigners, but with our own communi-
ty; it is between one branch Of home
industry and another. Cut off exports,
and there will be no imports; neither
would there beforeingn competition nor
home competition. It is asked that all
the exchange which brings in imports
shall be taxed for the protection of
manufacturers. The exports from the
soil of this country cannot be estimated
at less Than 100miIliOnS of do]lars--nro-
ceeding from theiabor and cultivation Of
the soil, going abroad, and reproducing
itself it imports. Here is branch of
industry, ten to one greater than that
from manufactures. But protection is
hostile to imports, and consequently to
exports: then it is hostile to the indus
try Of the ten, and fallaciously and ia
tally friendly to the one. He was not
hostile to manufacturers. He was no
enemy-he was an enlightened friend,
unwilling to see a course pursued which
would reflect back inJuriously on the
manufacturer.
He proved that the effects of protec-
ton were to run through in four years,
and then prove such fallacy as to
cause a fresh cry for increased protec-
ton; and that the end Of the necessity
for stimulants could no more be- reach
ed than the end ofthe drunkard's thirst
for brandy. tits in vain for him to pro-
mise that this bottle shall be the last
When he drinks it, he is more clamor-
Gus than before for another last bottle !;
and SO on, till he destoys himself.
Mr.. c. entered into many details to
show the fallacy of protection. But
arguing on the mass of productions,
and the effect Of this bill on agricultu-
raj industry, was not SO easily under
stood as taking a single item, and show
ing the effect on it. He would, there
fore, select cotton as an illustration.
This bill, by prohibiting, to certain
extent, imports, diminishes exports;
the cotton growers production must
be diminished, to meet his diminished
demand for expectation. AS he dimin-
ishes production, he must economist.
To effect this, he must restrict and les
sen his expenditures outside of his
plantation. He must raise his own
neeessaries oflife, and spend less upon
manufactures. Thus the great law of
retributive justice comes down upon
the heads Of the manufacturers, who
are the causes of all this cramping of
home industry from mistaken and self
ish views. There will be no part of
the community SO disappointed as the
manufacturers themselves. They will
destroy their own market. Part Of it
will be irretrievably destroyed. This
he farther illustrated, by pointing out
the effects Of such a policy in whitening
up the growing consumption for the
great staple of the country, resulting
from the foreign demand.
He showed that other great agricul-
tural interests would suffer alike-such
as the tobacco interest, the navigating
interest, and the sugar and grain grow
ing interests.
He would say to the opposite gen
tlemen-Encourage the foreign COM
merce Of the country; leave the home
commerce to itself, and it will flourish
more successfully without any stimu-
lants, than it ever can by protective du-
ties. 1t is only the country which can
export in competition with all the
world, that can outstrip other nations in
prosperity. Was not the struggle of
every other enlightened nation to throw
off those letters which are now to be
rivetted on the producing interests of
this country by this bill'
You must encourage a sound cur
rency and low taxes; you must encour-
age your commerce. Young as you
are as nation, you are fall-grown in
your manufactures. You must have
foreign market for the products Of your