The Arkansas banner., 1843-10-21
P o LITIC < L..
From the Democratic Rerieao.

Dur subject is free trade. It is at all times aeat one; but recent events have given it 1ore pressing interest. The minds of men, 6 and low, are getting filled with 1t. At he and abroad, it is working it's way into Dularity. Statesmen no longer, in their fol- End ignorance, disregard it; for the cries @he oppressed, on whose heart 1t has been
 5ressed by the agony of ages, have reach Gheir ears; and Providence, by its severe &ipline, is bringing home to the conviction
 hll minds, the necessity for nobler and n systems of policy than have heretofore
 railed.
 Much has been gained to the cause of truth ] hm the last few years. The experience of | ihy nations-an experience written in tears M blood-has come to the aid of the sim
 Ihearted advocates of right The friends 4estrietion, the enemies of their race, are
 ing way, they have abandoned the field argument; they shrink before the develop ents of circumstance; and in their despair, gn to find that their only shelter is in the pst narrow and disgraceful selfshness.- he day for reasoning has almost passed, and F approach the moment of action. Every 5ng in the aspect of the world indicates Pmentous change. Irrepressible longings
 higher order of things, are every where knifesting themselves; workmen, scholars,
 iticians, editors, are all laboring with the 9h of great principle; the signs of the 4es point to the advent of period of more aarged freedom.
 we needed any evidence of this, it might
 found in the document whose name is
 ted at the head of this article. It is do-
 hent to be studied. Full as it is of dry
 hlB, of dull statistics, 1t is yet fuller of in
 Rst. No work of science or literature that
 have recently seen, is more worthy of at
 hon. It is the offspring of grand move
 ht; the first fruits of a rich harvest; the
 cursor of a mighty, world-embracing re-
 utlon. On its face, 1t purports to relate
 to narrow question of revenue; but
 ked at more closely, it discovers far deep
 and broader relations. It is connected
 n great question of political and social pavement; with the elevation of depress- millions; with an expansion of the sphere
 human activity and happiness; with the Rgress of civilization and refinement; and
 n the establishment of universal peace over
 globe
 hls document consists ot' a report and evil bee on the operation of the tariff system,
 sented to the British House of Commons.
 was made in March of 1S40. The names the persons attached to the report, and of 'se whose testimony is detailed, on many
 ounts impart to it a title to high respect. fe committee by whom it was prepared, composed of some of the most distin-
 shed lntellects of England; and the wit Fses, ol whose experience and knowledge fy avalled themselves, were among the Pst competent men of the nation. Of the mer were Mir. Hume, MT. Villiers, Mr. La uchere, Mr. Ewart, Mir. Duncombe, and Sir fn1ry Parnell; and among the latter were Fluded members of the Board of Trade, of efs oi the customs, manufacturers, mer- Eah's, practical as well as theoretical philo- EPhers-nen selected from classes whose isui's amply qualified them to give an ac- ' un! oi the working of the principle of com
 lclal restriction. The investigation was hprehenslve and minute, no pains seemed
 nave been spared to get at the truth; the
 Jec' was examined in all it's bearings |e propose to make the document the basis ,T, 1ollle remarks on the general subject. .,;. no ies'rictlve system had its origin in c,l- [uv' operating on the folly of man. In ra ,se oays' which with singular propriety Eee1l called the dark ages, it sprang up simui- Peously with the more selfish spirit of com gree Two notions were at the bottom of winch were both false. The first was, |rs, v wealth consisted exclusively of gold and csa; Isef' and the second, that the prosperity of P.auon Pa depended upon the excess of it's ex- {, ,S over Its imports. It became great ob- bb;s,a. uieh' to restrain importation. Public s'aaon ens a4 and private enterprise alike work 'n' ,ot '1ls end. Exportation was to be en- q 'a'aged' and importation impeded. Boun- ,s' uiawoacks, treaties of commerce. and CO., ss' 'ohs were resorted to for the former; and ss 1A,ollory duties, for the latter. Nothing
 -. undertaken or allowed, that did not tend ,mmpus ol the Select Committee of the House of ncc on Import Duties, with the principal Evi- "'e' London, 1s1o.