Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-01-26

" Conscious OF the extent to which, for more
than quarter Of n century they have engrossed
the time and attention of the national legislature
and of the people as though " the people" had
been annoyed by the manufacturers, with whom
they had no community of interest and OF the
millions upon millions which have, during that
time been collected from the latter, nvewedy to ia
ciitate and give speca! advantage TO the particular
pursuit in which they are engaged, not only TO the
exclusion f'but at the immediate cost OF those oil
cttcrs; hero is tho stereotyped ant.protecon
argument which has been a thousand times an.
sweredl sensible, as the most observing among
them must he, that tho period has passed away
when taiiff designed for protection can be kept
dip in this country without doing more Injury 10
every interest by the commissions and revusions
which it cannot fail to produce in public opinion,
than it can confer benefit on theirs, they would
themselves prefer that the protection secured TO
them by The legislation Of Congress, should he that
which is incidentally derived from revenue ia =
riff"
Where, let me repeat are those "considera,e,
observing" manufacturers, who have abandoned
the idea of keeping up a protective inrlh! what
authority has Mr.. Van Buren, for putting such
language as this into their mouths FOR thus CIV
ing up, in their name, and as by their authority,
atarf " designed' for protection ?the only kind
OF tarifftha did ever will, eilectuay secure
10 the country the benefits OF the protective poll
cy.
But 10 proceed. Mr.. Van Buren, goes on 10 adj
monish the manufacturers to an ucquiescence in
his sort oitarifi, by reieNng 10 The danger which
he processes to see that the whole system Of rails
ing revenue by impOsts will be superseded by
resort 10 system Of direct taxation in connexion
with which he says:
"Tbe manufacturers cannot be ignorant Of tie
fact that prejudice against direct taxation SPRING
ing, in some degree, at least from supposed a
buse OF the power in times past, may yield to time
and reflection, or may be suppanled by new and
stronger antipahy. [Antipaiby against protec-
tive tariff, he evidently means And what could
be more likely TO awaken popular aversion than
the sight of a great and aifluent interest in the
country, [meaniDg the manufacturing interest,"
standing out amid the general gloom, perIinacous-
ly exerting lis influence in the councils Of the ma
ton, not only to save itself from the mislortunes
which had oyerlaken all other clssses, but TO secure
lis own ACKNOWLEDGMENT by new and unjust impo.
slions on community already borne 10 the earth
by the adverse course OF events"
NOW, why parade the manufacturing interest as
"great and affiuent amid the general gloom" bu,
TO create the impression that lis prosperity
sarily depresses the other interests, and produces
general gloom? And why is this "ailluent in
teresl presented in the attitude Of pertnaciously
exerting its influence in the councils of the nation
TO secure lis own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT by new and I'M
just lmpositions Oh an already oppressed commu-
nifty" but TO awaken The very "popular aversion"
which he affects 10 deprecHte? But the most d-
rect thrust is yet TO be made:
individuals and their families" he adds, "nlny
be, and in oil other countries are, permanently
biletted on the public Golfers; but ali experience
has shown that, with at least, it is not in the
power OF government to secure permanent advan-
tages TO the business pursuits of one class over
those of ali others"
And thus, Mr.. Van Buren, deems the pension
systems OF the governments OF Europe, by which
families are billetted on the public Golfers fitting
illustration OF the encouragement afforded by Il
thrill Tor protection, to The business" of nanu-
featuring in the United States AIr. Van Buren, |
knows that this is representation Of the case rank
with the grossest fraud upon the public mind for
he knows that measure Of protection which |
shall establish our manufactures upon firm basis |
will, by necessary consequence, give vgor and
activity 10 The energies Of all the producing class.
es. Such has VIGOROUSLY been the result md
such will, manilestly, always be the result, OF adj
connected, as Of course it should be, with protec-
lion TO the raw materials, when it is in our power,
or Tor our interest, to produce them.
might proceed with similar extracts from this !
remarkable letter; but enough has been present
ed to show what it is, and to exhibit lis author III
his true misunderstanding Of the rankness and |
manness becoming MISUNDERSTANDING 10 con-
ceal from common observation, by cfcumocu-
lion and qualifications his real hostility TO protec-
tlon,-uslng terms which seem to be expressive of |
The true doctrines that subject, aud yet skiiully
throwing them into such connexions as entirely |
change their bearing and destroy their force.
ITO be continuedl