The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-04-24
HON. S. S. PHELPS SPEECH,
ON THE TARIFF.

MIR. President, the protective policy has
met with violent opposition in a quarter
which | admit is, from its great expectation
of cotton, deeply interested. The planters
seem to think that the manufacturers could
not be true TO their own interests, without be-
ing at war with the cotton grower, and TO as
sumo that the manufacturing interests of New
England are inconsistent with their prospect
ty, This is, in my judgment, radical error.
1t is easily demonstrated that the demand
for cotton will be increased by the extension
of the manufacture. There is demand for
cotton in Great Britain for three purposes:
l. For her domestic consumption. 2. For
American consumption. And 3. For the
supply of other markets, foreign both to them
and TO us.
In regard to her domestic consumption, it
is difficult TO perceive how the manufacture
of the article by us, for our own consump-
ton should affect it. Cotton fabrics have be-
come there, as they are here, an article of
necessity. There is no substitute for them.
Flax has been superseded. To the extent Of
her own necessities at home, she must have
it; and if she cannot supply herself else
where, she must take it from us. If she can
obtain her supplies from her own depcnden-
cies, she will do it. But competition from
abroad in the growth of the raw material we
cannot avoid. No financial or economical
regulations of our own will prevent it. 1t
has been represented that the cotton used in
Great Britain, for the supply of the American
market, is very small in comparison with her
domestic consumption. If it be so, the DIFF
ference produced by manufacturing for our
selves will be trivial. So far as our own con-
sumption is concerned, the wants of our own
people must be the criterion; and the same
amount of the raw material will be required,
whether the fabric is manufactured here or
abroad. Suppose ten millions in value of the
fabric Is wanted for the American market,
would not the same amount be required If
manufactured at home! Sir, the demand for
cotton would be increased by the manufac
ture of the fabric in this country. If the
manufacture could be distributed throughout
the country, and cotton factory established
in every county in the Union. the consump-
tion of the article would be increased fifty
ner cent. Place it within the reach of every
agriculturist, where the surplus produce of
his farm would enable him TO purchase il,
and he would use it the more freely. There
are many articles of production, especially
in the Northern States, which will not bear
TRANSFORMATION, and some are of perishable
character. The establishment of manufac
lures in every section creates home market
in every neighborhood, and thus enables your
neonle 70 purchase the fabric in exchange for
productions which would otherwise be of no
value. The manufacturers become consun-
ers. not merely of your great staples Of ex-
portation, but of that species of agricultural
production which is never regarded as export
able.
It'll said, that by Withdrawing your sup
mort from the laborers Of Europe, you de-
priye them of the ability of purchasing and
consuming your cotton. Be it so. Will not
the employment of your own laborers con-
fer a corresponding ability upon them! If
one hundred thousand people are sustained
in Europe, by your demand for cotton fabrics,
will notthe same number be sustained here?
and will not their wants, both of the raw ma
terial and of the means of subsistence, be as
great? Nay, they will be greater, inasmuch
az the American laborer is better fed and bet
ter clothed than the European operative
Sir. the idea that the establishment and ex-
! tension of our cotton manufactures would
have direct and inevitable tendency TO de-
J strov the demand for the raw material, is to
me paradox, which would thank the hon
orable Senator from South Carolina to ex-
, plain. He has spoken of paradox which
troubles him, and which | will endeavor to
explain in due season. The Senator speaks
of min to the cotton interest from this source
of the necessity of giving up the cultiva-
; ,;on. because we are providing for its con-
sumption. He seems to think, that If we
, manufacture for ourselves, Great Britain will
, want none of the material for her eonsump-
ton, and we shall need none here. And then