Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-06-10

depressed; the manufacturing interest is
depressed, and so far as | am able to per-
ceve, the agricultural interests of both
North and South is equally depressed. III
look at the price current in the gran-grow-
States of the West or in the plantation
States of the South, | perceive again
great depression and no great encourag e-
ment to activity and emulation. What is
there in our condition--what is there in the
intercourse between the two countries to
justify an attempt at the arrangement |
have mentioned?
Well, gentlemen, on this subject speak
without any authority. 1t is not for me to
assume to speak Of sentiments Of persons
abroad upon this subject. But it is true
that the opinion has become somewhat cur.
rent that with England an arrangement
might be made favorable to our great az
ricultura interest. That agreement must
of course be founded on an adequate con-
sideration. But as to the objects of the
agreement which it is supposed may be ia
vorable to the United States. may men,
ton the admission into ENGLAND for con-
sumption at lo1Cer rates Of duty Of several
Of our large agricultural products. 1t has
been supposed, for example, that England
may be induced to make important reduc-
tons in her duties on tobacco, | confess
have never been able TO see why not. The
tobacco duty in England is mere matter
Of revenue. There is no collateral or ute
rior obiectin it. The question, therefore, in
the minds of English Statesmen as it seems
to me can only be whether reduction of
the duty will diminish the aggregate of
revenue. We all know that it often in
creases this aggregate--and in regard TO
this article if reduction Of duty ORe-half
should augment importations one-half, it is
clearly of equal benefit to the English rev.
enue. 1t is supposed, too, that the duty on
rice may undergo a material and beneficial
change. And this is an article now as much
depressed as any other.
Then again, is this great product of our
own in the United States--Maizc. or, as it
called, Indian corn. | have not heard a
suggestion from any quarter that England
would be inclined TO a modification of her
Corn Laws, properly so called--I mean her
duties on wheat and -four. But it has been
suggested-I know not with how much
plausibility-and beg it may be received
as merely suggestion of my OWL have
heard it suggested that, in regard to thi.
article of wholesome and cheap food, Eng.
land might be induced to place upon its i'm
portation a low and fixed rate of duty.
Now it is at least worth inquiring what
will be the value of this admission. Corn
is the great grain product of the United
States. The statistical tables show that
five bushels of Indian corn are raised in
the United States for every one Of wheat;
and the surplus of this article beyond the
wants of the consumer al home, even if it
were out small surplus, if it could be
introduced at lower rates of duty, would
make wide difference in the aggregate.
| am aware, gentlemen, (and many of
you know all this subject better than do)
that this is an article of heavy freight: and
yet it is brought from Mary land and Vir-
ginia and Carolina to Boston and even to
Maine. The question is whether it would
not be worth while to entertain the pur-
pose, to try the experiment, of arranging
with England for diminution of the duty
upon this article. In considering it, every
body asks what is the quidP quo-what
is the equivalent for this concession? For
what inducement may we hope that even
this possession may be obtained! Undoubt-
eddy, the only inducement we could hold
out to England would be modification of
the Tariff of the United States. This
proposition may seem unwise, because the
Tariff is not only for Revenue only but for
Protection also; and how far both or either
of these objects could be firmly maintained
under any modification Of the Tariff, is 4
question Of great deicacy and great diff.
Guilty. My experience has not given me
clear knowledge of it, but this | do know
that by making the Tariff stable and firm,
we shall render it healthful and iudicious.
If by any great operation that should unite
the interests and opinions of all parts Of
the country, we can place the protection
Of American Industry and American Labor
on permanent foundation, that is a much
more important consideration than the de.
gree to which Protection may be extended.
(Applause) Depend upon it, gentlemen,
it is change and apprehension of change
that unnerves every working-man's arm
in this section Of country. (Applause.)
Changes felt, or changes feared, are The
hane of our industry and our enterprise
(Applause) live in a quarter Of the
country full Of industry, with some capita
and great activity; and when so among
my neighbors they ask, for Gods sake, tel
US what to expectl Lay down your law
prescribe your rule; let us see what vii
be the course Of the Government, and We
will apply our industry and our capital anc
our skill 10 the state of things, be it wha
it will. Cool us, warm us, freeze us, scorcl
us---do, what you please, but let us know
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