, 1844-06-29
For THE RADICAL,
Mr.. Editor

t'S 'AtiS
lStry, TO submit 10 the same kind of
commercial intercourse with the pa-
rent country, which the advocates of
unrestricted trade now consider the
true policy of our government.
1t was to the interest of Britain
then, rs now, TO sell us their mafu.
fIctured fabricks rather than allow
US to make them for ourselves Then
they c0mPeled us 10 submit to this DO.
Icy. Noc they persuade usto do it.
by esta bIishing presses conducted bv
tlelr own countrymen among US, and
by bu! ing up our W editors, and
sending ship loads of free trade PAM
phlets and books on political econo.
my, which are designed 10 ~inculcate
the doctrine of free trade in the
minds Of American readers.
Why yer the revolutionary SOL
diers so badly supplied with the NUM-
tons OF war! Because the British
Parliament prohibited the manufacto-
ry Of iron in tho colonies. Why
were they so destitute Of clothing.
blankets, &c. &c.! Because they had
been compelled to support the manu-
lectures of England. Why were
the footsteps of that band of patriots
marked with their blood in the SHOWS
of winter? Because the making of
leather and shoes vas mostly %confin-
ed to the other side Of the Atlantic.
What would have been our state
of preparation for war in 1912, if the
protective thrill of 1889 had never
been established! Precisely what it
was at the dawn of the revolution.
We should have been destitute not
only Of the means Of defeace. but of
the necessary conveniences of life.
Does any one doubt this! Let him
turn to the history of the industrial
condition Of the L. States, from 1888,
1889, and his doubts will bs rcmov.
ed.
BE it remembered, that this first ia.
ritf law was the very first law made
by an American Congress under the
Constitution, after the law p~rescrib-
ing the oath Of the members of that
BE it remembered also, that that
evcnue or tariff law was enacted by
men who framed the Constitution,
and now, half a century has gone by
and the sons of those illustrious sires
have grown wise enough to under
stand the meaning OF the c"nstitu.
ton better than the giant intellects
that made it., and declare forsnoth,
protective duties are unconstitu-
Fudge.
From the revolution 10 the adoP-
ton Of the constitution, the "power
Of regulating commerce" existed in
each Of the thirteen sovereign states.
Hence, n. York might impose duties
Ior the encouragement or protection
Of the industry OF her citizens, but
Massachusetts, would admit melchan-
dize into her ports at lower rates Of
iuty for the benefit other merchants,
who could easily contrive to smuggle
i across the line with large profits to
Attempts were made
10 correct this mischievous state Of
.hings by voluntary associations, non
Importation resolutions, &C., but
without uccess The grand RENE.
ly was at length discovered. Each
state surrendered its privilege of reg.
its commerce to the general
government; the constitution which
provided that the rates Of duties
should be uniform throughout the U.
was adopted, and Mr.. Madi-
introduced the bill into the first
Congress under this constitution, le-
vying duties or imports, for, lin his
own words) the support Of govern
nent, the discharge Of the debts o.
The United States, and the encour'.
lgement and protection Of manuiac--
The bill was passed, without ..