Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-07-01
From HINTS Merchants Magazine.

Mr.. Woodbury. has attributed a pape
on the general principles of free trade
written with his usual ability and goo
sense. We make an extract:
"To discharge an enlarged intercourse
profitable even t. manufacturers as wei
as agriculture and commerce, is short
sighted, aud is relic, in policy, OF sys
TENS and theories unworthy the presen
age No matter whether this intercours,
between fitferents nations, or dlffsren
portions of one nation, be carried on by
caravans, or ships OF the desert, through
the heart of Asia and the sands of Africa
or the lakes and rivers watering half q
conrineat; or by sea, doubling the siormi
est capes and penetrating the femotest isl
and,-sIil let it be iree-siiIl let it be I'm.
taxed, unicttered. 1t will then shower
down innumerable benefits, not only in its
progress by the way side, but benefit all
both producer and consumer. Again: il
is OF no consequence, in one view, wheth-
or these articles are iron for the plough, or
ostrich feathers for the ballroom; the OIL.
i've for peace, or arms for war; drugs for
heath. or gold for ornament; woolens and
cottons for The poor, or silks and cashmeres
for the rich; or sugar and salt for all clas-
ses, and the last for the whole animal ere.
alton; still, liberajty in trade blesses, like
mercy twice-b,t til him that gives. and
him that takes. On The one side, that is
parted with which is not wanted, or can,
without suffering, be spared; and, on the
other hand, that is Obtained which is need
ed, either TO supply real wants, minister
to our comforts, or crafty taste. Both
are &c ommodateJ, or both enriched; and
the industry is stimulated, and the facul-
ties sharpened, in search of more of that
which either promotes pleasure, or ad.
vances knowledge, or increases power
In fine, it is the theory which tends best,
in all countries, to develope the national
mind, as we'll as the national wealth. 1t
gives full and free play TO all the facul les
ana instincts Of man, while it is content
to Ike from the earth the gifts of Provi.
dence, where they are natural and most
profuse. 1t does not attempt TO cultivate
drugs in Greenland, or tea and coffee in
New Endlandg, or pine.appes in Canada
And should the Hlndoos strive to freeze
their own lie by chemical process, or
the inhabitants of New Orleans labor to
make their own stone arti6cialIy, or the
Yankees endeavor TO grow, for their gen.
eral consumption, pepper and palm.oil,
they would only Illustrate, in a different
form, some of the iolles and losses which
attend most of the departures from the
free-trade principle.
The moral and intellectual view 9th
subject is stronger than even The physi.
cal or the commercial one. II is a uucs-
ton going far beyond The ger--beyond
dollars and cenis-tne number Of bushels,
pounds, gallons, or yards produced, and
he value Of exports and imports, as well
rs amount Of tonnage. 1t concerns natur-
Al fitness, sociai Improvement, morals, and
he higher education and civilization, IS
we'll as happiness, OF millions on millions
Of immortal beings. That is circle wi
Ter than all others, reaching the future,
10 less than the present welfare of most of
he human race.
Intolerance in religion has been one Of
he allies of restrictions IN trade. 1t is
bred in the. same proscriplive school and
las sometimes injured even its coadjutors.
It helped 10 expeI the Lutheran mechanics
rom Spain, and drive across the Mediter-
'enean her best Moorish manufacturers.
By the repeal Of The edlct of Nantz, it long
etarded the prosperity of France; and, by
like exclusive spirit, poopled originally
several Of our own States from the perse-
,utng shores of England. Even at this
lay, by the union ofchurch and state in the
alter, thus doubling ecclesiastical taxes
m the seceders, and by high corn law du-
les, so oppressive 10 labor; it violates
ONE of The most salutary ofthe free trade
principles. A mass of human suffering
las thus been produced there oIlate years,
which is ill.atoned for by all her grea ness
nd glories. Though palaces rise in the
treets OF Manchester, and fertility clothes
he fields Of contiguous counties with gol-
en- sheaves, yet the laborer often starves
n sight Of them, or fingers out a mscra.
ne existence in some ne'gh5oring aims
ou>e.
What matters it TO him if the treasur res
# CHINA are captured, and conquering ar
MES are pushed over the SHOWS OF Aft.
hanistin, and heroic columns rise in Lon.
on to commemorate national glory, if he
nd his children suffer for bread, or freeze
rom half.nakedLess, or robbed of political
uffrage. and have their morals and intel
ects debased by brutal ignorance? I'm /
err like view, as TO the effects of such a
ystem on mind, morals, and progress,
lille high protection is yielded here to
it must be remembered that
is at the expense of agriculture and com. I
Il =. E.ac.I -. = l.. q.