The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-02-18
From the Journal Of Commerce.
TALKSABOUT THE HOME LEAGUE.

RodgerS.-You said when we last met, that
Tariff raised the price of things, and this was the
same as lowering the price Of wages. And as you
thought, you made il out that the aborer had less
encouragement than before. Now | admit this
would be so, if, while the prices OF other things ale
raised the price OF labor were 10 remain Inc same,
But contend that while tariff raises the price Of
cloth and other things, it raises the wages of labor
still more so that it acts as stmulous and en-
enlargement to industry
WIiie-I should like to hear you prove what
you assert.
Rodsers.-A good many men will be wanted in
the business of manufacturing and employers will
bid up.
White. You forget that as much as the demand for
labor is increased in department it will be les
sened in another. If the demand for laborers in
manufactures, left the previous demand in other en-
ployments the same, grant that wages would rise.
But when You prohibit foreign and engage in home
manufactures, you throw out of employment those
who are engaged in producing commodities 10 be
exported in exchange for foreign manufactures, and
those engaged in transporting the same Thus
while YOU increase the demand for labor in one
quarter, you diminish in another.
Rodgers. But don'ta Tariff, on the whole raise
the wages Of abor:'
Uhiie-Wages will rise only when the ratio
between the amount Of capital, and the number of
laborers is increased.
Rodgers-Don't talk so much like book and
| shall understand You all the better.
Uhite.-Wel suppose a country with one mil
lion of capital, and one thousand laborers; wages
will be at a certain rate, Suppose million be
added to the capital while the number of laborcrs
remain the same. There will now be competition
among capitalists for laboreIs aud wages will rise.
Suppose the capital be dimidsled one half while
the number of laborers remain the same. Some
mus. be thrown out Of employment or all must
work cheaper; wages will fall Thus the greater
the amount Of capital compared with the number
oflabo, ers, the higher will be the rate Of wages. In
order, them that tariff may raise the rate DIVA
ges it must either add to the capital of the country
or diminish the number Of laborers; and it does
neither Of these.
Rodgers-What you say may be true, and
suppose is. but still tariff raises the price Of
cloth and other protected articles, don't rise of
price in these things cause similar rise in all 9TH
er things, and wages among the rest
Uhiie.-Eyen ifthis was the case, (Which
DENY, )there would be no gain TO the laborer. Sup
pose his wages were twenty five per cent. and the
price Of all commodities raised in the same proper
ton; he has gained nothing.
Roagers-But the country has
Uhite.-It will be difficult to make it appear
that the country has gained, when no individual in
it has gained.
Rodgers- do not believe but that domestic
manufactures, even though they are u little denrer
nj first will IN the end be enough cheaper TO make
IN. Let manufactures DO established all over
the country, and competition will bring down pri-
ces.
IVhite.-You admit, when you demand pro-
tectiye Tariff, that the cost Of manufacturing the
articles at home, is greater than ahroad'
Rodgers-Yes.
IVhile-Can competition reduce the price Of
my commodity below the cost of production.
II it costs dollars TO make plough, will COM
petition reduce the price 10 five dolarsl 1t is pos
sble indeed, that for time said poughs may sell
for 5 dollars, hut at that rate they will cease to be
produced, and the price will Use. You may de-
pend upon it, men will not continued TO manufacture
goods and sell them under cost in order TO render
Mr. Clay's argument sound.
Rodgers-Wha has made cotton cloth cheaper
since the Tariff
Whiic.-Improvemen in machinery and other
causes have reduced the cost eff production. SO
far rs the Tariff has had any effect, it has been TO
render them less cheap than they would otherwise
have been.
Rodgers.-What would you Free Trade men
have, 3,
White.-We would have every man honest and
industrious, and allowed to make the most Of his
capital and labor; we would not have one part
of the community taxed for the bcnoiit oil anolh-
Rodgeys-Neher would |.
Uhite.-Bul when You make me pay Fyc dol
lars more for my coat than is necessary, am in
effect taxed five dollars for the benefit OF the man
ufacturer.
Rodgers But ough, you not 10 submit to it for
the good Of the country
Uhiie.-No person, believe contends that Inc
pro6,s of the manufacturer should be greater than
the profits Of those who are engaged in other de-
por,men,s of industry. lie makes no more than
he mich, make in some other employment, In The
mean lime all others are taxed to make his bust
ness as GOOD as theirs. They are poorer, to The
amount they are taxed, and he is no richer than Il
he had been employed in agriculture. i he Is no
better of, and all others are worse oil, can
see how the good of the country has been promo
ted
Rodgers.-You would not have any manuidc-
turers at all then! You would have us all 60 lc
raising grain, whether we can sell IL or mol!
JtIiie.-That Is II false view Of the case, one
which the advocates Of the restrictive system com
monty uscribe to us. We would have our coun
trymen engaged IN manufactures when they can DC
IN with profit and not before. We would not have
them invest their money in manufactures, when
they can grow rich faster investing in agriculture
or commerce This country has peculiar advan
,opes for manufactures, md the time VIII soo'
come when they will be profitable. In regard to
great many things, the time has already come =, :,
If we leave industry and capital free, men WI
find ou. when they ale profitable and engage II
them. .,.
Roigers-But should not nation be ndePen
dent, should not nation produce, II possible al
that she consumes
JVhie-Ought not the carpenter TO be ihdepen
dent: Should he no, produce all he consumes
Shoul ID he not raise his own wheat, make his owl
cloth. tan his own leather, aud make his own tools
He thinks that by sticking to his trade he can ge
what he wants, by way Of exchange, cheaper thar
he can make them himself; and when he is able
10 buy all that he wants, and TO pay for the same
he thinks he is independent; but according TO your
doctrine, he is moi The principle applies 'c
nations. .,uh-
Rodrers.-But il we do not manufacture all tina