New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-12-30
SPEECH OF HON. C. FURMAN
OF BROOKLYN,
In Defence of the Protective system.
At the Institute Fair

At the Institute Far
Fellow CITIZENS Viewing the numerous ar
ticles composing this splendid exhibition of Anne
rican skill and industry, the question naturally
presents itself to the mind-whence this grand
result which is thus exhibited to us, from the fine
and delicate needle, to the pondcrous steam.en-
CINE, used as the agent to propel those numerous
machines which at once excite our wonder and
our admiration from those beautiful specimens
of cutlery, (in some of which we now excel the
manufactures of that great nation which has been
engaged in the work more ages than we have
years.) to the most delicate productions OF the
loom To what is it owing that we are now
presented with articles which ten years ago it
would have been esteemed madness to have pre-
dicted the manufacture Of at this day
We owe all this, and much more to the great
and noble system of Protection to our own Manu-
features a system which has insured wealth and
power to every nation which has adopted it. For,
rely upon it, Political Economy resolves itself in
to one principle VIZ: Those maxims which retain
the people in any particular place. and give them
certain and steady employment with good remu-
ncrating wages, and draw strangers to come and
reside withthem, are the true maxims ioradvancing
the interests and prosperity of a nation; for the
greatness, power, and wealth of State arise from
the number Of its citizens, and their prosperous
condition All other principles are mere talk
These principles are peculiarly applicable to
the United States; and with every variety of
climate the world affords, capable of yielding
every description of produce, 1t must be owing to
nothing but false policy, If this nation is not
more capable of entire independence than any
other upon the face of the Earth,
1t would be almost waste OF time Tor me to
orove to such an audience, that's Protective Iarlt
IS the true system for our country, and indeed tor
every naton-unless the whole world should
unanimously adopt the principles of free Trade
"a contingency which never can be hoped for
But may occupy few moments IN showing
YOU the necessity that exists for our people to
think for themselves, and to look to their own
condition, in the question OF sustaining such a
system or not and for them to disregard all the
interested attempts made by the British Govern
ment and People, to mslead their Judgment in a
matter of such momentous concern.
Is it not strange that there should be differ
ence of opinion on this subject among the citi-
zens of these United States 1t is so to me; tits
passing strange that there should be one thinking
man in this wide region, who claims to be an
American-a Frecman-who should still be op-
posed TO protecting the Labor of his own people,
that people by whose eXertions he lives, and
whose toll ministers TO his happiness. However
this NAV be, thank Heaven, the number is so
immensely greater of those " no reason correctly
on this subject that we may hope that the Iaritt
system will still be preserved TO US. Why
should it not be so 7 1t has already conferred as
tonish:ng benefits upon this land; all feel 1t, all
know it, Just before the passage of the present
Tariff, in August, 1912, there We're 10000 unem-
ployed persons in the State of Pennsylvania alone;
and at that same time full ten thousand of the
industrious classes in the city of Philadelphia
were yainly endcavorlng to earn the means by
which to buy their bread. Our Tariff has fed the
hungry; and the blessing of those who were in
want and ready to perish, sanctitleS II as one OF
the most righteous and glorious measures OF a
Government founded for the good OF the People.
From our position on the Earth, 1t will not an
swer to depend alone upon our Agricultural pro-
auctions, although admit, as all must who have
examined the subject, that agriculture is inc man
stay of our country. To prove thus, take the
condition of the Island Of St. Chrlstophers s, IN
the West Indies, and that OF Rhode Island,
some little time anterior to our Revolutionary
contest, and before the establishment OF manuiac-
lures in our country-both equally well settled
and well cultivated, both equally fertile, and OF
almost the same size; yet, in commercial Light,
formerly, no two places could be more different.
The natural exports of St. Christophers were OF
great value, while the exports of Rhode Island