Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-06-07
some considerations why Congress should not des.

some considerations why Congress should not des-
troy this great interest
First From considerations of pecuniory inter-
est This country is almost exclusively an agricul-
tural one and much the largest part of it is grain
and provision growing country. So much of it as
~ or shall become wool-growing country is d-
vertod from the production of grain and provisions,
and they become purchasers and consumers instead
of being rivals and competitors If we turn our
attention to the returns Of lS40 we shall find that
Vermont, with all its sheep, produced less than two
bushels Of wheat to each person and in wheat rye,
and corn, it produced only six bushels to one per-
son.* Now we we'll know that this is entirely in.
sufficient for its supply. have taken some pains
to ascertain what is the amount Of flour imported
from other States and consumed in Vermont which
l personally know to be very great; and according
to my best sources of information, find that while
farmers directing their exertions to the rails
ing of wool, we actually import and consume at
least one hundred and fifty thousand barrels of flour
annually. Is it best for our wheat-growing States
to destroy this market?
1t is generally calculated that what Will sustain
ten sheep will sustain one cow And the grazing
of cattle and producing butter, cheese, and beef,
was formerly our pursuit. Now, can 1t be best for
our provision growing States that Vermont should
abandon the growing wool, and instead thereof keep
16l, 16l more cattle than she does, and thereby
come into the markets of this country with so much
more beef against the beef of our provision pro
ducng States This view is to be extended to
the whole wool-growing employment and interest
of the country. ga
Secondly. It is exceedingly unkind and unjust.
l have already shown that this business was enter
ed upon by our people by placing confidence in the
encouragement Of the Government. 1t was enter
ed upon under the influence of laws passed without
their solicitation votes, but conformed to by us
as an obedient people. Shall that confidence be
betrayed? Will our countrymen, and especially
,s.b, ,JoJ o,,J 10 tlorp
content themselves with reproachng us as robbers
and pltudererS, for conforming our action to the
laws of the country which we did not procure P
The system of Protective Tariff has shaped the
destiny and moulded the form of society in New
England. We changed the condition Of our agri-
culture, covered our hills with ocks, erected facto
ries, villages, and even cities on our streams, and
though still small, we now solicit that the icind may
be tempered to The short lamb, and that the plough
share of destruction may not be driven over us.
Thirdly The prosperity of this interest does in
jury to no one. 1t is no monopoly, for all may en-
ter into it; and it is capable of being extended to
most States in the Union. But even if it were true
that to some parts, and for time their cloths were
to cost little more than if obtained, under light
duty, wholly from abroad yet that is considera-
ton entirely unworthy the legislation of great
Nation. Is there left no patriotism or love Of ma
tional independence in this country? Are wo ready
to return to the bondage of colonial dependence
upon England, even for our cloths-our necessaries
of life? Shall we permit our manufacturers and
artisans to be deserted and workshops be trans
ferred to Europe? l cannot but hope our Nation
will not voluntarily shear off its locks and grind for
the Philistines.
The condition of nation dependent on another
for its supply of necessary manufactures is forcby
given us by the sacred historian in describing the
situation of the Israelites when subjected by the
Philistines
II No, a. on;tb cnund
throughout all the land of Israeli flor the Phsne said, lest
the Hebrews make them swords OF spears.)
20But all the Israees down to the Phsnes
sharpen every his share and his coulter and his and
his mattock
Verse 22-So pass the day Of bae that there
neither sword spear found in the hand OF OF the
pie that with San and Jonathan.
l..