The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-03-12


nshes necessares and comforts to each from the
rest, which hostillties would endanger, if not
destroy and thus makes the free interchange of
them pledge and bond of peace. go as far as the
iarthest for national independence. But plausible,
and indeed the most plausible argument for the re-
strctve system, is, that II promotes Independence
but 1t overooks and confounds the distinction be-
tween political independence very desirable, and
that independence OF all others in society not so de-
sirable-whch can exist in perfection only with the
hermit or the savage Enlightened, civilised, social
man should not seek to initiate the solitary oyster
his mud or the grub in his vegetable blanket-both
Independent OF the rest of the world--but draw CON-
forts and happiness from all around him. and derive
from society the mutual benefits for which society
was made and each nation, longing in like
10 the great family of nations should inter-
minsle the advantages of each for the good OF the
whole. Another prominent view OF the high discri-
mnations IN the tariff, seems TO be inequality and
partlalty II seeks to interfere with the private bu.
siness OF the people, and TO encourage one class
such manufacturers-and TO do this at the ex-
pense OF others-agricuture and commerce. Such
narrow policy looks more in keeping with the
monkish bgotry of the eighth century, than the
light and craftsmanship of the nineteenth and am
happy to admit is dlsavowed IN theory by many OF
our opponents, though inevitably introduced in
practice by their system as system
When such principles as are disguised in a high
tariff, imposed in times likelhese, are avowed in
Egypt or in the Celestial Empire Of China, or in
such place the Fegee Islands, little surprise is
excited. But this enlightened republic ought hard
~ 10 De the tneatIe IOI sucn inconsistencies as 10 IN
crease taxes to relieve those embarrassed! To close
some of our existing markets when prices already
ruinously low! 10 assist our navigation to compete
with other nations by taxing it higher In age
boasu as an age OF progress and in country proud,
as among the most advancing, and under rulers
promising enlightened reforms, and amidst taunts
against other nations as illbersl, intolerant and
mon0polislDg, ought we to be summoned to witness
a measure OF inequality among classes seldom sur
passed. and one subverslve in its consequences, not
only OF all constitutional BARRIERS but OF those great
principles of free trade of which have heretofore
held ourselves ont to be the champions' II is diff
cult to characterize such steps, however well meant
in plain and truthful language without making i Of
tensve, beside their conflict with the just principles
OF free trade Let us go little further and con-
slider some of the signal examples and features of
this high protective system staring us IN the lace
One OF them the case OF Span, the more striking
her natural commercial advantages were so very
conspicuous. She had some of the finest harbors IN
| the world-her borders washed by two oceans-her
| colonies in every latitude. almost, from the
equator TO the poles, yet resorting most unad
vlsedly TO prohlbitory laws, and mady per-
sIsilns in them, have sunk her to third rate power,
reduced her population more than hall, caused the