Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-05-31

which necessarily implies much more intimate rea-
tons with that formidable rival, and probable enemy.
Destroy our manufactures and subvet that revenue
system which has, from our national infancy, been
the soul Of our finance and we are at once practically
reduced 10 state Of colonial dependence upon our
ancient oppressor Sir, it not for this that
fathers fell at Bunker HILL at Remington and at Sa
ratoga, and that yours bit the dust IN the hundred
pnrllzan conflicts which, at later period OF the
OF independence, dyed your sands with the bes, blood
of the South.
There is another point Of far deeper though less OBJ
vous interest than the mere question Of revenue,
the present pecunary gam or loss TO the consumer,
and which is most worthy the profound consideration
oil the philosophical statesman. refer TO the lnfu-
ence OF such manufactures as are carried on by ma
chnery, upon The progress of mechanical improve
ment, and The consequent multiplication and diffusion
OF both the physical comforts and elegances. and the
higher rcfneInents of life. The announcements
which inventive genius has received at the hands of
the manufacturer the principal OF the aston
lshlnc advances that half century has Witnessed in
practical mechanics and manlpuaiions, in the appli-
cation OF science 10 the arts and even in the progress
and dissemination Of the physical sciences them
selves.
The wants Of the dyer the beacher the sugar. rein.
err have led to curious Investigations and most impor-
iont results in scientific anal sis the necessities Of
the mechanisi have prompted improvements in sme-
ing, refining casting and forging metals and better
knowledge OF their ores, constitution, and properties
the demand Of British manufactures the parent of
improvements in mining, meteorological resear h and
gcOIoulca science; to them owe the invention of
the reclprocaiing steam engine and the nr oduction
of railroads, by means Of all which, NOT only are all
the operations of government immensely facilitated
but the convenences of life are multlp led and
chcapened, that as has been well SAID, the humble
cottager enjoys more comforts than an emperor of
Rome IN the days of her greatest splcndor. Know
ledge, too literally runs down the streets like river.
The power press sends forth lis sheets bv thousands
IN the hour. and books cost less than did the pa
per on which they are printed within the memory Of
members of this House. These arts emphaiicaly
the arts of peace these are the true philosophers
stone, that turns all to gold these the means
through whose aid alone the philanrhropst can hope
to level up suffering, depressed, and dehnsed HUMANE
~ Machinery must supply the physical wants Of
The INDECENT; the power press must furnish the pop
!nr instructor with his texibook,le missionary with
his bibles.
To the Improvements in the mechanic arts we have
contributed our full share. We have then a prop,ie.
lar,, paternal interest, in their prosperity To them
we, oil all the nations of the EARTH most deeply
indebted, and from them we have most to hope. Shall
we lay the axe to the root Of the tree which has borne
such noble fruits, and which is still rich with the
blossoms of future promise? What does not the Sou'h
owe to the cotton GIN and the power loom and
what would now be the condition of that mighty
West, 10 which we have so often appealed, without
canals railroads, and steamboats, which derive both
the motive and The means of their creation from the
progress of manufactures! Sir. she wond still re-
man howng wilderness, inhabited only BY savages
and wolves and the game on which they prey.
SIR, let us have no more idle speculation upon the
future consequences of the existing tariff Let il be
Judged by us fruits. Show what evil ii hath DONE
Prove that has augmented The current price or d.
mlnished he supply Of foreign article Of necessity
or extensive use Show that il has reduced the price
or curtaed the sale Of any important article Of do
nestic production but terrfy with prophecies
OF iu'ure evi from the operation of that which
b has crowned the past and the presen, with abundan.
blessings