Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1843-03-16
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And now, Messrs! Editors, we come 10 the
Pfolective Tariff. Il will be remembered that
the Democratic meeting denied The constitutions
aliiy Of this measure. Our writer, presume.
has yielded this point She certainly makes no
effort 70 mainIain il. This is something gained
As 70 the utility Of that policy. l believe public
opinIon-yes, Democratic opinion--is so fast
rushing TO that point that II were better 10 check
4 Than TO encourage Jest il be carried toe xcess
will admit at once that The principle Of Free
Trade is beautiful iheoty-and more, il is
true theory; yeiitfis but theory The great
misfortune IS, that our politicians read Ireasices
upon political economy;Eare captivated with The
noble and liberal principles Of the author, and
without stopping for one moment 10 inquire
whether they can be applied 10 ihe.exisling State
Of the world, seize the shadow, hold on 70 thai,
disregardmg the most important question the
great question cf practieabiiity,
7 Now, il all the nations Of The world had inst
sprung into existence, and were aheu, settling
the principles Of their commercial intercourse.
beyond ALI doubt il would be the true interest of
alto agree TO bnyof and 10 sell 10, each other,
without the least restraint This is state Of
things deyoully 10 be wished for but is not the
actual reverse OF This the present condition Of
almost the whole civilized wprld I And is there
the leastlpoSsfble hope that The combined efforts
of all our AnIl-Tarif politicians, aided BY the
efforts of ten Thousand such writer's as sOne o:
lEe Committee, by any possibility, can induce
foreign nations, all, or one Of them, 70 abandon
a policy they have adopted and adhered 10 for
eentufiess ltwere justas easy TO remove noun
tains Let US inquire what is our actual eendi-
non with Great Britain, with whom we carry
on the tpnsI r;--- rs< z : : -
staples Of this country are -four and tobacco -
Does England receive our aour 10 payment for
the Immense amount Of The manufactures we
purchase Of herr We all know that such is the
amount Of duty upon Ii al article, that not one
single barrel can be taken there BY an American
shipper and'sold with profit, unless il be az
period when many Of her poor subjects are upon
the point Of starvation. When this can be done,
We say here, her ports are open; al all other
times we say they are closed Isit much better
Than, this with cur tobacco Her rate of duty
upon that great staple is nine hundred per cent
upon It's FIRST cost, or MAE times as much as the
planlerin this country is paid fer III; and Il is
fact that the amount Of revenue collected in Eng
land, by duty upon that article. is more than
the whole revenue collected In The United States
This staple, though NOT cultivated ID lhe upper
portion Of Virginia, Is most important one in
The middle ard lo-ser portions Of The State. If
i were admitted into England, and upon The
Continent Of Europe, upon a reasonable and
moderate duty, there can be no doubt but the
consumption Of that important staple, the uses
Of which in some form or other is supposed 10
be an almost universal appetite, would be in
creased almost ten fold, and our interests irthal
production promoted in The same ratio. Our po-
siion with respect 10 France and the continent
Of Europe is about the same as il is with Eng
land. When We have the fact before our eyes,
that al other nations are al wotk 10 cripple our
4
we not 70 take some measures of self defence
and attend 10 The protection ofourown interests I:
When We know that none OF them will,receive
any of our products at all which they eau posi-
bly, do without, and even then only upon the inn
position of the most onerous duties, is il proper.
IS itrighi,is il treating our own citizens with
justice, TO take no measures of self defence and
protection In my first piece, stated that the
effect of a Protective Tariff was in short time.
after lis operation. to reduce The price of the
projected article One Of the Committee passes
by lhats,atement with very lutte ceremony in=
deed, and takes not the least notice OF the facts
OF reasons BY which proved that sla,ement.--
Well, il he Is COMMENTED to pass over facts and
seasoning after that fashion, will moi complain;
and will neither repeat the facts nor the argu-
ment. Az .ttffI
Is il not degrading aud humiIiatpg for any
independent nalion TO- be compelled TO depend
upon foreigners for articles Of common use and
Indispensable necessity, when they can make
them for ihemselvesi And such is our situation
Il has been said, and believe with truth, that
during The last war with England, we LOST more
soldiers fof The want OF blankets, than by ihe
bayonets Of the enemy. Indeed such was ahe
deficiency Of that article so essential for the sol
der. that our own government was obliged 10
wink at the smuggling Of blankets and coarse
cloths from the shops Of cur enemies. Would il
not have been better 10 have made Them and
furnished ourselvesi This, | think, is The liue
American policy But il il said the pauperism
Of England and Europe issto be traced 10 their
policy Of protection; and though this is asserted
with The boldest efEfoniery, vel The writer has
not eondescended 10 state any fact. OF to give a
single reason in support Of thar ridiculous asser.
tion n he had even superficial knowledge o.
he operation Of KinRly goveFnments upon theii
subjects, he would have found another and /
better reason. Aud what, let me ask, would b,
The situation OF England Al this mon eni, II hel
manufactures we've desiroyedi What a fright
fal spectacle Of panperism would she no, lhel
pfesenlf A population Of thirteen millions on !
ierriloIy bui liitie larger Than yIrginial 4
Would be idle 10 talk on ghisS1bjecs any more
| am accused By s0ne Of the Commilsee' ofbein,
al enemy 70 foreign uade.
What said was this: "Thai in proportion 4
The Increase or our domestic trade, our loreigl
trade might diminish ,, thai Is. the more We pnf
chased Of each otke,. The less we would purcbae
! Of foreigners- and his I thought would 5e J
benefit. as ihefe would be less drain Of our spl
i Gle. Ard Is there one man in this world VII
/ can for one momepf doubtits
4 And this subieci has afforded One Of he Con
mi,tee, One oPpprsunity q glFine % ne yorl
4 full specimen Of he deplh q his hls,orles err
dilion. Happy, happy mani! How delehu'
il is 70 recall your recollection 70 Babylon