Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-02-24


vious that the circle must be very small.
As faras il goes, il is mutual monopoly.
No one can compete with either the iarm-
error the manufacturer, because the ex-
penses Of transportation prevents it. The
manufacturer deals with the farmer, be.
cause he takes from him what he has to
sell; and on the same principle the farmer
deals with the manufacturer. So far, il is
true, there Is mutual benefit. But both
parties can stand alone. They are indie
pendent of government protection. Every
party furnishes me best market; and that
is free trade. Upon this principle, the
salt works Of Virginia defy all competitor
from foreign salt, 10 certain distances, de-
pending on the cost q transportation. Now
let me ask the senator from Maine TO adopt
the golden rule-to edo unto others as he
would that others should do unto him. ~
Let me tell that senator that the agricultu-
raj producers of the South and Southwest
stand precisely in the same relation to the
m nufacturers OF Manchester, Leeds, and
Birmingham, as the farmers Of Massachu-
sets, Connecticut, and New.York do 10
the manufacturing establishments in their
vicinity. Distance makes no difference.
Our natural markets-derived, not from
human charters, but from the providence Of
God-are Manchest'r, Birmingham, Leeds
and the other manufacturing towns Of Eu.
rope. When you cut US off from these,
you perpetrate the same injustice rs it
you were to prohibit the Massachusetts
farmer from dealing with neighboiing
mandatory, by prohibitOry duty on their
exchanges.
There is another argument, Of which,
| believe, the manufacturers keep con-
slant supply stereo,yped for the use Of
their customers: that high duties upon tor
eign imports diminish, instead Of enhanc.
ing prices! Now, this is ono Of those in
comprehensive paradoxes which they can
successfully address only 10 The blind faith
Of their followers. They gravely tell US
that a revenue duty of 20 per cent. which
will cert,inly enhance prices go per cent
will not enable them to maintain q compe.
tii!pn with the rival manufacturers but il
you vii add 90 per ceLt. more to the duty,
They can then cell their manufactures ehca-
per than they could before! Exclude the
competitor who undersells them, and they
will imme lately be able 10 undersell him!
Now, sir, thigh duties produce low prices
il would seem to follow that low duties
would produce high prices; and the manu-
facturer should 60 s,renously for reduc-
ton.
Mr.. President, there yet remains ore
more comparative illustration, quite differ.
ent in its character. to which ! must ask
the attention Of the Senate. l shall sup.
pose then, that the catastrophe to which
we are Fastening, under this suicidal poll.
cy, has actually occurred, by the total de.
struction Of that great branch Of our for
eign commerce which alone gives value to
six.sevenths of our staples Of expectation,
and mainly supplies the government with
revenue. What would be the inevitable
RESULT Can it be supposed that we should
still persevere in producing staples 70 per.
ish on our handsi Certainly not. What,
then, should we dot Why, sir as we
should have the slavish privilege Of doing
what you had not yet prohibited US from
doing, we should follow even the example
of our oppressors in oil excepting their op-
pressions; and divert our capital and in
dustry from agriculture to manufactures.
For this change, let me tell you, we have
great and abundant facilities, SURPRISING
those Of any part of the Union, In many
respects. The raw material would be
cheaper, for we should make our own sup
DIV, and take care to make none for our
rivals and oppressors. Labor would be
much cheaper; for, notwithstanding the
absurd theories Of political economists in
Europe, who can know nothing about ii
the labor of African slaves, trained, ted,
accIimated ds ours are, is the cheapest 10.
Dor In the world for its efficiency; not ex.
ceptinp that Of the white slaves of India
We abound in water-power; and extensive
regions of our poorest land are covered by
thick and lofty forests, furnishing mex.
haustible resources for steam power. Let
Il be supposed, therefore, that some patriot
standing amidst the RUNS oil our commerce
and observation-disclosures at the 6Ppres-
sion thai had produced, and mortified at the
patient acquiescence that had so long en-
dured il, should say to his fellow-citizens
and fellow.sufferers, "Behold around you
tire monuments Of oppression, in your d.
Iapida.ed cities, and your desolated fields.
There now remains 10 US only the priv.
lege Of making the most Of our condition,
BY improving The means NOT yet destroyed
by our oppressors. Abandon yonr fislds
for their crops are blasted as they rise.--
Sell and sacrifice your lands. and aPpro
pirate the proceeds to the establishment
Of manufactures. As we have not MAJ
the spirit TO resist oppression. let W =
least have the wisdom 10 repair iis rts