The Arkansas banner., 1843-12-02

'Aiih5 WIOuitls III lilio lIlG gcUtTdl interests of society will not be best promoted {? what answer dc we hear' Who advocate the cause of freedom of action, and who not 1? It is here the same controversy arises be- tween force and freedom-between avarice and equal justice.
 This resort to organized power, through whose mstrumentality an absolute central power might be established over the money concerns of the country, was presented be- fore the people in the attractive garb of a great public institution devoted to the public welfare It was to stake care that'' the com merce, the exchanges, and the revenues of 'sthe republic should receive no detriment" It's fate, however, has been decided by the American people,; and only mention it now, to illustrate the position have assumed-that power will not fail to try us and our princi- pies at every point, and will ever borrow the name of liberty and equality, or of the public good, in order to undermine the foundations whereon they rest.
 In no form does 1t present itself more per- suasively to us than in the form of protecting certain pursuits and branches of industry for the purpose, they say, of promoting our na- tional independence.
 It is false and delusive view of the sub- ject; yet in this form it is urged upon the country. It's simple name is taxation, and so it is in fact But this, its true feature, is lost sight of; and partial system of legislation has been urged upon the country, under its name, that is alike unjust and impolitic. It operates injuriously on various classes and interests, but principally on agriculture and commerce, and confers undue advantages on others. Here allow me to remark, in order that 1 may not be misunderstood, that the democratic party approve the present mode of raising the revenue of the United States, by tariff; but that approval is limited to it as system for revenue solely, to be carried out by the strictost regard to justice to every section of the country, and without the slight est partiality between the different interests or parts of the eonfederacy
 The protectiue system as such, is at war with common right, pertect freedom, and impartial legislation As such, it is resisted by the democratic party.
 It never fails (if it operates as protection) to transfer part of one mans labor to an- other, without an equivalent, which is not consistent with common right It is not re- garding the freedom which belongs, or ought to belong, to every citizen, if he is not per- mitted, after being burdened with his share of the public expenditure, to trade with all mankind with whom his country is at peace Whether the article is made in one place or another, Is no just reason why he should be compelled to purchase or reject it. It may be said that patriotism should induce him to buy of his own countrymen, even at higher price. If so, let his patriotism be addressed, and do not deprive him of the power of choice. Let him reason, and be reasoned with, and not forced by unjust legislation. It is said, forced prayer is not good for the soul; one would think forced patriotism would be worth but little to the country. Suppose the manufacturer of the East should appeal to the patriotism of the Western pur- chaser, and urge him to pay him the advanced price afforded by protection; and suppose the latter should appeal to the patriotism of the former, to sell him the article as low as he could buy it elsewhere-whose appeal would be the most national, most just, most patriotic True, every man will feel-and ought to feel-inclined to buy of his own countrymen, if he can do 1t on as good terms as elsewhere; but if he cannot, let him be free to go elsewhere, with no other restric- ton than the proper Government revenue But 1t is said that our national independenct requires these restrictions. Nothing coult be more erroneous. At this moment, we art the most independent nation on the globe. speak from reflection Our taxes are below those of most other nations-though on this subject, it must be confessed, many of ou States need reform. Taxation has been alarm ingly on the increase for the last few years but this has no direct application to this ques ton, except so far as 1t affects the price 0 labor, and operates on the cost of production Every nation of Europe is more or less 1T debt England, Holland, and France owe immense debts; the two former owe debts that can never be paid by a full equivalent Other states of Europe owe very large debts and, indeed, we buy of no nation that is no more indebted than we are, unless 1t be some inconsiderable states of Europe or Soutf America, and perhaps some Asiatic Govern ments, with whose indebtedness pretend no to be acquainted Venezuela is out of debt and is the only separate Government in tho Western World that is ss.
 Our people have more enterprise than any other people. They have the advantage O Englishmen in this, that the latter {except il commerce) are more stationary, more subjec to fixed habits of thinking and acting; ant have not the spirit of adventure, enterprise and experiment., which hso highly character izes our people,
 The mechanics of the United States have skill, science, and capital, that compare wei in contrast with those of England and France l Our 4eanital vested in cotton manufacture. three years since, was $51, ,000,00t
 That invested in wool, 15,765,0O(
 :" metal, inclnd-
 ing brick and
 i lime, 2O,6OO,O0(
 leather, l2,800,00(
 hats, caps, &
 bonnets, 4,500,00l and the number of operatives employed il these manufactures was little, if any, below 100000; and, for their skill and industry thav arc onual to the mechanics of EpUland