Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1844-06-07

creased they have been largely reduced. Eve
ry species of manufactured goods. cotton.
WOODEN, and IRON, sold a. lower pri-
ces to the consumers than they were before
the tariff of Isi2 adopted. There has re-
! Gently been small advance IL the price of do
nestle goods. This rise has been occasional
principally By an ads ance in the raw material
and an increased demand for labor. This fur
| nlsnes TO argument against the tariff, but rather
one in lis favor. The agrculturalist finds an ai-
vantage from the increased price of WOOL and
/ cotton. 1t should not be the policy Of our Gov
/ ernment to adopt any system which viii have
the effect of depressing the price OF labor. Tho
honest !aborlng portion of the community, who
toll for q subsistence, arc much entitled TO the
fostering care of the Government any portion
Of our citizens. One of the strongest arguments
in favor OF protective tariff that i gives add
tional encouragement and more active employ
mant to this class of foIlow citizens. And
yet the prices of those articles which the western
agricuturalists compelled TO purchase, are
lower than they undor the lowest duties of
tho compromise act.
| would ask you, then, Mr.. Chairman, how arc
the people of the wost taxed by the operation of
this tariff If it has imposed burdens upon my
constituents am satisfied they arc unconscious
of it. 1t has been repeatedly admitted during
this discussion, by those who oppose the existing
tariff, that the prices of tho protected goods are
now lower than they wero before the passage of
the act; but they endeavor to account for the
ductIon of prices upon other grounds than tho
true ones. We have been told that this roduc-
ton is occasioned by improvements which have
been made IN manufacturing machinery. What
vast improvements have been made in ma.
elmer ysince 1912 which at;ll competent TO
such results! | have heard of nono nor do be-
licve any can be specified.
The gentleman from Virginia (NIr. Steenrodl
stated that it was evident that the tariff had not
reduced the price of goods, because the goods
which admitted duty free have fallen in the
same proportion those upon which the duties
are imposed. If this position be true. that the
prices both of goods imported free of duty and
those upon which protective duties imposed
have fallen in tho ratio. it furnishes a con-
elusive answer to the position that the duties
have increased the prices.
1t IS idle sir, than idle, to talk of a pro-
toctlvo tariff operating IN urlousy to the agrlcul
tural portion of the Community. No class OF our
citizens derives moro advantage from it-none
iiiUIU d0oIly i.to-oo.od "a i.s prosor~at.on
than they. We have heard much defamation "a
bout the improperly OF protecting tho wealthy &
arlstocratlc manufacturers of Now England. 1t
has been repeatedly assumed that the object of n
protective tariff is to benefit them the expense
OF the balance of the community. Without wish
ing to JON IN the QulXotic warfare of the dema-
goguc common in these notwithstanding
times, against an mag mary aristocracy, | will
say, that II the effect OF protective tariff was to
turers should be the last to give If my support.
desire to promote legislation which shall
confer exclusive privileges upon the capitalists of
New England, any other portion of the coun-
try 1t is not the capitalists alone who are TO DO
benefited by this measure. Tho thousands of
humble aborers and operatives who depend upon
their daily toll for their subsistence, have as deep
an interest IN the success OF our domestic
features those whose capital IS invested in
their operations. Break down and destroy our
manufacturing establishments, and where will
these laborcrs find the means of subsistence Let
the principle be established that cur workshops
shall be in Europe. and what will become of the
numerous mechanics now scattered through cve-
ry part of the country! If we arc to buy and
wear boots, hats, and clothing made in Europe
how will shoemakcrs, hatters, and tailors
now found in every village proftably employed
be able to prosecute their business and find
the means Of subsistence! If, in carving out
the principles of free trade, shall look to En-
gland to supply us with iron and all the various
implements of husbandry. what Is to be the con-
dition of our miners, forgers, blacksmiths, and
others engaged in the various pursuits connected
with tho making of this valuable metal! If, from
the fear that some Of our people may become
wealthy by prosecuting tho business of manufac-
turing, we shall PROSTATE our manufacturing IN
forests. may find, like Sampson that in pulling
down the pillars of the temple crushed be-
meath It's RUNS.
The view which | have taken of this question
is sustained by facts, and the constant experience
of the country. Instead Of the farmers of the
west being oppressed and injured by the opera
ton OF protective tariff, they are benefited III
eminent degree. The advocates of low duties
may still insist upon their speculative theories
they may still urge upon the people that protec-
tive duties act as drain upon their resources and
q tax upon their industry-but the experience of
every of observation will convince him that
their theories are false and unfounded. Not only
does the experience of this country, but that of
every other in which the system has been tried,
lead to this result. Look It's effects in Gerna-
ny. For many years the people of that country
were subjected to ruinous unrestricted compe-
titon with the manufacturers of Great Britain. |
The country was flooded with British goods,while |
German grains were carefully excluded from