Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-07-12

the report, that reduction OF duty is re-
ductlOn of price to the consumer, he will
find that few families would save fifty dollars,
the laborer, probably, not ten. But, on the
other hand would not this gain be more
than over-balanced by the inevlts bic reduce
ton in the price of his produce, resulting
from the loss of market which consumes,
annually 500, 100000 Of the products of
the non-manufacturing States! Sir, where
the western States would save one million,
they would lose ten. But, ] repeat it, it is
not trne that a dimnuton of du'y lowers
the price. Reduce them so as TO destroy
domestic manufactures, aud do you think
that the British artisan, when relieved from
American competition, will sell you his
wares as cheaply as nowl viii he not
rather take advantage Of his monopoly Of
the market, and compel you both to buy
and to sell at his own price
Attempts have been made 10 excite the
jealousy of the South aud West, by inflated
statements in regard TO the profits of the
manufacturers 1t has been proved, by cal
culations, emitting only the use of capital,
wear and decay Of machinery, fixtures, and
buildings, taxes and insurance, and the nu-
merous contingencies to which these estab-
lishments are pre-emnently liable, that the
eastern manufacturers must have cleared
not less than twenty or thirty per cent. per
annum for series Of years. We have the
best authority for saying, that the profits OF
the cotton manufacturers have for years not
exceeded an average fisk per cent; and as
to woollen mills, it is within my personal
knowledge, that there is scarcely woollen
factory in New England, which has not lost
sum equal to its entire capital, since 1887.
Under the tariff of 1912, these establishments
can live, but they never can be means OF
the rapid accumulation of wealth
] wish to present another general con-
sideration refer to the importance Of do
mestc manufactures, as an essential element
in a system of national independence and
defence. Gentlemen need not TO be told.
that during the late war with Great Britain,
the Government was forced to connive at
an illicit trade with the enemy, as the only
means of supply of such articles as neither
Government nor the people could live with
out. Shall we again subject ourselves to
the inconvenience and shame of smuggling
from hostile country the very blankets
which cover our soldiers; and while slack
ing fire, that the smoke of our guns may
clear away, shall we negotiate with the
enemy for the purchase of powderl
| am sorry to say, Mr. Chairman, that
am not among those who discern in the
signs of the times sure tokens of abiding
peace. The age of conquest, it is said, ha.
passed away; but at moment when oui
own administration is meditating war o
conqu, st, and has already virtually declared
hostiities in that unholy cause, it lies no
in our mouths to say, that such wars are NJ
longer possible. Sir, have too much re
spect for the cool Judgment Of our states
, men, and too much confidence in the re
gard Of our people for the principles OF jus
tice, and the integrity OF the Union, to be
ieve that they will assent to the consuma
ton of project, which, under the circum
stances can only he characterized as supreme
ly unwise, and pre-emnen,ly hagitous, an,
which must necessarily result not in dIssen
sion, but in disruption. do not therefor
e apprehend a conflict with Mexico, or il
necessary corollary, an immediate war wit
England; but | cannot he blind 10 the fact
that we are in constant danger Of a ruptur
4 with the most formidable power upon earth
S Great Britain, sir, holds Canada on tn
! North, her fleets command the Atlantic o.
7 the East on the South, she has extensive pos
i sessions in the West Indies and on the con
tineni; aud she occupies, TO say the least
an equivocal position on the West. Blu
; this is not all. Her ships are traversin
| every sea, and seiZing upon every ad
vantageous position, which is either unoc
: cuped, or whose pOssessors are too ieeh!
t to resist her encroachments an America
: whaIer can scarcely bring off keg of waite
: or boatload of coconnuts, from cora
y reef in the wide Pacific, without payin
It tribute to the outposts of England. lknow
j. indeed, that she has disclaimed that atrociou
r outrage the lorcible seizure or the sove
h reignty of the Sandwich Islands, but | hay
II not yet heard, that she has hung, at til
}, yardarm of his own ship, the piratical lore
n ling who perpetrated it. Sir, | charge nc
!; Great Britain with cherishng dreams
$ widespread conquest, or aiming at uniyersi
e empire but he must he blind. who doe
e not see that she is striving for no less
IS prize than the control of the commerce
If the world. America too is ambitious. Sh
Il disputes with England the sovereignty
e the northeastern shore Of the Paciic-w
o are rivals in the same branches of trade, an
s. the red cross and the stars and stripes foj
e side by side in every harbor of every sea-
IS With all these points of contact, dare "
II hope that we shall always escape collision
D and is it wise to doff our armor while OF
of adversary is lacing his helmetl
n Sir, on this subject let me not be mi
2, understood No man can more cordial
= detest the practice, or deplore the necesslt
Or of resort to arms none can more deep
a. abhor the hellish passions, the awful crime
IL that constitute the very being of war, thu
N myself; and am not prepared TO say, III