Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-12-08
POLITICAL.
PROTECTION TO DOMESTIC MANUFAC.
TURES ONE OF THE CHIEF OBJECTS
IN PENNlNG THE FEDERAL CON
STIrUr TON

ilON.
We annex here from Mr.. WeJsters Andoyer
Speech tie opinion quoted from DR.. Franklin
Mr.. w. thus Introduced them:
GENTLEMEN A native of Massachusetts, GER
fanny INFERIOR 10 none III sagacity, and whose
name conlers honor upon the whole county,
Dr.. Benjamin Ffanklin-in l757 expressed his
sentiments upon these points in a very remarkable
manner. The Convention to deliberate upon the
formation of the Constitution was held in Nav,
el7o7. DR.. Franklin was then, If remember
Alright, the Governor Of PENNSYLVANIA, and also
member OF the Convention. AS the delegates
were assembling, he invited them to his house
aud read TO them paper on this subject which
was subsequently printed and to extracts from
this, would call your attention.
"There are, in every country, certain impor-
ant crises when eXerlion or neglect must pro-
duce consequences of the utmost moment. The
period at which The inhabitants of these States
have now arrived, will be admitted by every at
tenllve aud serious mind To be OF this description.
o. Our money absorbed by wanton CONSUMPTION
OF imported uXurles, fnctualng paper medium
substituted in its stead, foreign commerce entirely
circumscrlbed, and federal government not only
ineffective but dsjointed, tell indeed too % lain.
y, that further negligence may ruin us forever
Impressed with this view oil our affairs the writer
OF tho following pnges has yenured to Oblrude
upon the public But us neither his time nor his
opportunities will permit him to treat of all the
great objects which excite his apprehensons or
engage his wishes, he mems principally to confine
himself 10 TINT part OF them which have been
most subjected 10 his observations and inquiries
In country blessed with fertile soil. and
climate admitting sturdy labor, where the cheap
ness of land temps the European from his home,
and the manufacturer from his trade, we are led
by few moments OF reflection TO fix on agricnl-
lure as tho great leading interest. From this we
shall find most OF our other advantages result so
lar as they arise from the nature Of our affairs,
and where they are not produced by the coercion
Of laws-lhe fisheries are The principal exception.
la order to make a lrue rstiumte o. The magni-
tude OF agriculture, we must remember that II IS
encouraged by isw or no duties on the lmporta-
lion OF foreign produce that II furnishes outward
cargoes not only for all our own ships but those
also which foreign nations send to our ports; or,
in other words, that it pays for all our importa-
tions-that il supplies part OF the clothing OF
our people, aud food for them and their cattle
that what is consumed at home, including the
materials for manufacturing, is four or five times
The value of what is exported-Iha the rumber
Of people employed in agriculture is at least nine
paris in ten of the Inhabitants OF America-lhat
therefore the planters and farmers do form the
body of the militia, the bulwark of the nation
that the value of property occupied by agriculture,
is manifold greater than that of the property en-
poyed in every other way--ihat the settlement of
our waste lands and subdiydug our improved
farms, is every year increasing the pre- eminence