Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-05-17
DOMESTIC.
From Me Boston Boy STATE Democrat. J
,ruE ,rARIEE DI,EsTIDN-INn LII

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| Effects of Tariff on the exports Of a country
THIS point has been often and ably elucldaed that
we shall consider it briefly. il is well settled axiom,
that a nation ,chich mM not buy cannot sell. This IS
the result at which protection ams but, we certainly
ask what is 10 be the fate Of the and grain grow
ing sections Of the country, Cut off from all foreign
markets, they may seek in vain for market IN our
own borders; there is not State in our Union which
cannot produce more than il consume The indus
try and skill Of citizens and the natural advantages
of our country will always ensure surplus OF gram,
meat, cotton many kinds Of manufactures, and per-
haps wool, for winch must seek foreign market
| Now, if we cut of, materially diminish our I'M.
ports by onerous duties, it needs extraordinary
power to anticipate the condition of our manufacturers,
who even now find the domestic market too limited, as
we'll as that Of the ugricuuralss in the West. As we
must always be prepared to export more than we need
TO import 1t should be aim 10 offer every consistent
inducement 10 other nations 10 engage in reciprocal
commerce. Notwithstanding the enormous burdens
which Eng land has imposed on our trade with her,
the balance has been in favor. We now speak
of the direct trade between the two countries. Onr
ports from England, Scotland ard Ireland, in 154o,
were S33 631 699 while exports 10 those countries
in that year, S54 l76; showing balance IN
our favor of $50 All. Our exports 10 Great Brl-
tain i'll continue TO increase while imports will d.
mnish The meat Of The United States is beginning 10
find lis way those markets. and when the tariff laws
shall have undergone revision, we may reasonably e1-
pect an increased demand for flour and meat. So
great been the proficiency in the calico manufacture
in this country, that Great Britain has almost ceased
TO forward these goods
In the manufacture Of common cotton fabrics, we are
without successful rival in the world. AS long ago
as 1924 Mr. Webster declared in the House Of Repre-
senatiyes that he considered he cotton manufacture
only 10 have reached but 10 have passed The point
of competition.
We are much less dependent on England for cutlery
than formerly The best articles in the department of
manufactures, OF home production. Iron is becom-
ing of The staples of our country, not only for do
nestle use but for export. We are then to become
great exporting counry-producng al home all the ne
cessares of llr our surplus will purchase the luxures
Of every cme thus giving profitable employ to our
aCricuuralss, manufacturers, merchants and Daviga
tors 1t will be by the statistics OF The country, that
the exports have been increase ratio 10 the tariff In
lS0s, when without tariff, at present IN.
dersood, the exports 1880 per head. From clI
10 1898, nte the passage Of the act Of 1910,
the exports reduced 10 So per head from 1924 10
1883, under the influence of the highest tariff The
country has ever seen, the exports were only S650
per head; while from 1888 TO $780, the period Of the
gradual reduction Of the tariff under the Compromise
act, the exports TO 81 per head These facts tend
very strongly say the least, 10 establish the doctrine
that high tariff is unfaVorabe 10 expectation.
Effects Of TariE on Navigation. If, we have
attempted TO show this policy dimnshcs exports and
| impcrts it must also njure commerce. Although the
commerce Of our country has increased since the peace
Of lS4 it has no, kept pace with The general prospe
riiy which has attended other pursuits The reason IS
apparent So far the production Of the country has
been changed from its natural TO its unnatural state,
every interest has suffered The production Of sugar,
for example, which must be regarded unnatura has
injured navigation An examination Of the tonnage OF
the United States at different periods shows wonder
ful coincidence between IFS amount and the character
of our Tariff. In 1914, the registered tonnage was
equal TO ton for every Is persons-in 1890, ton
for every l2 persons-in 1880, ton for 10 "a per
sons, and in 1888, ton for every persons. We
thus perceive that under the highest, the amount OF
shipping has been proportionalely small-whe under
moderate or low Tariff the opposite result is observed
From 1924 TO 1884 inclusive, period Of ten years
of high tariff the increase of the tonnage Of the u
was Ii per cent per annum; from 1884 TO 1889, IN
elusive, under moderate system of duties, the
increase was 81 per anRuR, and in 1910 1t reached
] per cent.