The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-04-05
1t. in a colonial dependence upon Great

| Dut we are lOlu Oy Inc opponents 10 pro-
lection, that the amount of duty upon an article
Just so much enhances the price 10 the consum-
or; and it is bounty TO the manufacturer,
which must be paid by the people at large. In
some cases, when great skill is required in The
fabrication, this may be true. Bat experience
| has shown, that in nine cases out of ten, after
a moderate lapse of time, the reverse is the
fact. Encouraged by The protection afforded,
The home manufacturer commences operations,
and comes into the market in competition with
the foreign capitalist, who is consequently
forced 10 reduce his price. Then comes in
the competition between the home manufacture
ers themselves; and in the conflict, the price
OF the article is depressed far below the orig
lnal standard. As instances 10 illustrate the
truth OF our proposition, We will take the i'm
port ant articles OF cotton and woolien goods,
as shown from public documents by Mr.. Hud-
son. Cotton shcetings, which, in 1916, sold
for p cents per yard, could be bought now
/ for IA cents. Broad cloths, costing in 1919
81. in 1882 could be bought for 81 so. The
observation is true with regard 10 hardware,
nails and all other articles where the home
manufacturer has come into the field. Protcc-
ton stimulates competition; and 10 COMPETE
ton va owe those facilities ard inventions
which are the natural offspring Of industry.
But even upon the supposiiion that the price
of The article is enhanced TO the consumer; if
his ability TO pay is increased in far greater
proportion, he is an immense gamer in the
end. 1t is Of far more importance to look af-
ter the number and price of the articles we
pay, Than 10 The price Of the article we pur-
chase. If the farmer pays the manufacturer
twenty per cent more for the small quantity Of
broad cloth, which he purchases in wool and
produce, and often in garden vegetables, po-
iatoes and coarse grain, which otherwise would
not be marketable al any price, at one hundred
per cent in advance, he would gain ten dollars
where he would lose one by the domestic ex
change.
Regarding the system of protection as e
qually beneficial 10 every State in the Union.
it is TO be regretted that the question has as
sumed sectional character. We do not de-
sire rha, tho shepherd of The Green Mountain
should fatlen upon the spoils of the planter of
South Carolina: far less can we wish to make
two thirds Of the Union a victim 10 the re-
mainder, as for years has been true, since the
policy OF the country has been beneficial TO
cotton growers alone, whose crop is Of far less
value than the annual productive Industry OF
the stale of Massachusetts. An enlightened
view of the subject, however, we believe would
satisfy any candid mind, that neither of these
results need be anticipated from the adoption
of The system Of protection. There is not such
diversity of interest between the different
Sc tons of this Union, that within moderate
period. oil may not be blended in perfect Lur-
mony. The dssimilai ty in the climates, pro-
auctions and pursuits of these two grea, src
lions Of our country. are calculated for mutual
benefit. by mutual exchanges OF commodities,
and make union necessary for the pio<perly
strength ard glory CT both. The plague spot
Of slavery washed out. no obstacle would re-
main 10 The indiSsolHbic union Of regions dcs
tined by heaven 10 embrace one prosperous
nation. Every enlightened statesman UNDER
stands that Great Britain meets every foreign
article which can be produced in her own do
mnions, with prohibi,ory duties. She will not
take the products of our soil, our mines, our
fisheries and our forests. whenever they inter-
fere with her agricultural and navigating labor,
or that of her colonies. Our cotton will STARE
the same fate, whenever ii can BE- Superseded
with safely 20 her manufactures. by the rapid
ly augmenting productions of her Indian pos
sessions From lis successful cul'ivaiioa in
Bengal, ii may soon be anticipated hat cotton
will speedily be put under the ban of prohibi-
ton. Where then will the South 20, but 10
the North. The North are now spreading
wide their arms for reciprocal protection. The
South cannst COZ sisiently spurn the policy
which embraces the whole Union rqurllv in It's
benefits. The Northern manufacturer already
successfully completes with England in coarscr
fabrics from cotton. Encourage him, and lie
will soon acquire The facilities which will en-.
able him TO meet his competitors in finer ar
licles all around the globe. and consume an
amount of raw material equal 10 that which
Britain will eventually be willing TO receive
in her ports.
In conclusion. we would congratulate our
fellow citizens, that the attitude OF stern hostil-
ity 10 the tariff, which the South have hitherto
assumed, is fast relaxing under the pressure of
the overwhelming evils which have come over
every section OF our common country. Indeed
The friends ofproleciion have changed location.
Recently. south of Mason and Dixon's line,
its advocates are multiplying. and in public
meetings. newspapers and memorials TO Con-
gress, are speaking language which augurs
the mos, harmonious results. The cry for
protection is proceeding from Virginia as well
as Pennsylvania: from North Carolina, Geor-
gia, Alabama, as well as New England, New
York and Ohio. Congress is told in language
not to be misunderstood, that the time TO strike
off he shackles of party, and give full scope
te the enterprise and prosperity Of the whole
confederacy. by full protection to American in.
dustry, has at length arrived. And then, and
not ill then, will peace. contentment and abun !
dance crown the dwellings of our popula
ton.