Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-06-10

mass Will see and ieel the rulnous eHectS
of Toasted protective policy, which aP-
pears to be so dear and deserving only OF
the few.
0T The following are two extracts from
The reply we sent to friend, who wanted
to know what our option was respect
ing The tariff question, and free trade, as
connected with the politics of the country
and The next presidential election.
81 have not a single doubt in my mind that
The tariff question will have controlling
influence on the next presidential election. p
This influence will be overwhelming in
the southern and south .western sIa;es.-
The nothern and western states will be
divided on the question; though the free
trade system is gaining ground in those
sections of the union; and | am convinced
! that in few years the shipping interest
of the north and the agricultural interest OF
the west, will much more be opposed to
the protective system than we are In the
south. The reasons is very obvious. In
the present condition Of the country, and
may say Of the world, the largest free.
dom of trade can only promote two vital
interests Of the natl n. A restrictive pol
icy suited perhaps some countries, as Eng
land, when other nations were considera-
bly, behind in enterprise, industry, and me-
chanical improvements. But 1t IS now
otherwise; the restrictive policy must
prove ultimately fatal to the nation that
resorts to it. Experience, since 1912,
sustains me in this position; and tbs this
experience which in England and. IN our
own country has added so many friends TO
the list already large to the free trade
system. In the nolhern states opposition
to protective tariff is becoming stronger.
not only among the commercial class OF
the community, but among tho most en-
liphtened OF the manufacturers. Even IN
the western states, where protective TAR
,ff had once so many friends, owing TO the
influence exercised in that section OF the
union by Mr.. Cay, this opposition to
protective tariff is rapidly gaining ground,
and il will be uncomfortable next season,
should their crops be as they have Teen
for few years past, and they find their
produce worthless by the restrictive policy
of the government, which obstructs
fair and profitable exchange ofcommodi-
ties with foreign nations. In New York,
the commercial emporium of the union,
Boston. Philadelphia, and Baltimore, some
of the first and most enlightened of the
merchants have admitted that in the pres
ent condition OF the country the protective
policy IS most injurious to the best inter-
ests of the country. think then that l
am warranted in the conclusion, that an
overlooking majority of the people OF the
Unied States will soon speak, in terms
not to be misunderstood, against high
protective tariff, and, in few years,
against all restrictions in trade, except the
LAYING OF such rates OF duties as may DO
absolutely necessary TO produce suffi-
cient amount of revenue Tor the support
of government.
"The change which has taken place
in the public mind for few years pat in
those sections of the country which, were
more decidedly in favor of Protective
tariff, cannot fail to exert cc,otroling in.
iuence on the next presiden' ,ial election
and firmly believe that the candidate
who will come out IN expl .cit terms agains,
the protective policy, will stand the bes
chance in the conte st. Mr.. Calhoun, 9:
tar, is the only one of those spoken of 70
that high stat .on, who is known to b,
r openly and u .,equvocally opposed to pro
, lection. re will therefore BE supported
by the FJuthern and south western states
aud h'rs chance in the northern and west
ern. states is as good as that of any one o
rne other gentlemen. Besides, is pretty
1 we'll conceded in the north ana west, tina
the prosperity OF the south is identified
IS with the prosperity Of the other sections
A, of the union. However much more Mr.
r. Calhoun may be inclined to cherish thu
l. prosperity OF his own section, than that o
m any other secion, The enlightened states
IS men cannot fail TO perceive that, in tn,
a. event that gentleman should be elected Il
Q, The presidency, no measure can be adopt
Ie ed tor the exclusive benefit of the soulk
Mt because of the identity existing betwee
= the interests of all the sections Of the cour
Re try. The fact is, that ever since tn
IN foundation of the government no mea:
IN ure has been adopted which exclusivel
er benefited the south. 1t is true that hig
he tariffs have been injuriously felt in th
al south; but while they were adopted to ber
he EFT particular sections Of the union, "
es have yet to learn the advantages that ha,
nd been derived by those very sections.
r. those high tariffs were injuriously and O.
ow pressively felt in the south, am certa
COS that the north suffered equally by the I
en-, in their effects produced in the south.