Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-05-16
THE "fAIR pROPoSITloN.o-So. u.
THE TARIFF observation-disclosures.

WIN u'o 'ioWS ana opinions oil inc hrSt Congress
In regard TO THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND PROTECTION
OF AmERlcAN MANUFACTURES. Before proceed
ing with our historical account Of the subject, we
Deg leave 10 present one two ideas in regard TO
The doctrine " protection for the consideration of
the public. Whence arises the hostility of our
venerable neighbour to protective tariff! Is it
to the principle that he objects or is f, merely TO
the APPLICATION oil 1t to manufactures We
humbly apprehend it cannot be TO tho PRINCIPLE,
Tor nat lies at the root of all civil society," Co
Vernment Itself Is instituted for the PROTECTION
OF the rights OF persons and property, and this
principle is displayed in almost every act of le-
g'sia'lon. Every penal law is intended to PRO-
TEor the members OF society from the conse-
Yuences oil crime; and every other enactment of
the Legislative department of Government is de-
signed to ENCOURAGES that which is laudable, and
10 DISCOURAGE that which is vicious, or CONTRARY
10 the public interests-scan the provisions OF
your statute books, both State and Federal, and
you viii find this principle always standing out
In bold relief Why is it that our State Legsla-
ture grants charters Of incorporation, and partcu-
lar tinmnnities and privileges to associations of
individuals, TO construct railroads, dig canals,
erect hotels, or carry on manufactures? Is it not
TO ENCOURAGE and FOSTER these enterprizes, be-
cause they are calculated to advance the public
interests! Why is it that some articles are sub
Jected to heavy taXaton whilst others are entire
y eXemptirom such burthens! Is it not because
enlightened considerations Of policy satisfy the
law-inaking power that some articles such as the
wagon and plough, &c. of the farmer should 90
,ree' whilst others, less entitled to favour, should
be taxed! Why do we find in every tax law of
Virginia, provisions making DETERMINATIONS in
favour OF articles Of the GROWTH OR MANurAc-
TuRE OF VIRGINIA, over those which are the pro-
duct of other States2 Is this not PaorEcr,oN .ro
VIRGINIA INDysTRrs Why is it tina, Virginia
mas engaged IN The excavation Of canals, and the
construction OF roads in all parts OF her terrtory1
is not this done to afford encouragement TO I,r
agriculture and commerce We might 90 through
the whole policy of Virginia, from the ReyoiI-
'on 10 the present time, and we will find that
PROTECTION and ENCOURAGEMENT of her own great
interests, is the polar star by which her Leeisla-
ton has been guided and controlled.
But let us now turn TO the Federal Govern
ment. What Is the object of the whole system
oil Counties conferred by acts of Congress- in fa
your OF our fisheries, &C., Will any man pre.
.end TO deny that the effect, and the object of those
oouh'ies Is the protection of the particular branch
OF industry in whose favor they are granted |,
Upon what principle is it tina. all our yepisiyv
aces are founded and why is il that .ame, lean
sn'PS mare he monopoly IF coasiing trade? Is
H. not because 1t seemed right to our lawgivers TO
encourage and protect the ship-building and navi-
gazing interests of our oDn coun!ry2 And who
questions the wisdom of tn Sc laws1 Whv is
i. mat copyrights are secured to authors and mn
tents comforting exclusive privileges, granted TO
the inventors OF new and useful machines. &c
is IL not 10 encourage and protect the talent and
ingenuity OF our countrymen! Why is it that
ran road iron, and CON- and bullion, and articles
OF curiosity, and organs for churches, and work.
OF art, and books intended for seminaries OF learn
ing, &C., are, or have been suffered TO pass through
our custom houses free Of duty! Is il not done
10 encourage and promote the objects for which
they are imported? We repeat that our wh0h
system Of Legislation is a great system of profec
.tom' ana he VINO objects TO the principle Of pro-
N Ia nf -
laws now in force! But we forbear from fnrtber
remarks on this subject, at this time. We have.
we trust, opened the door for train Of reflection
which will not be Improbable. And we now
ieave this point, with one single enquiry If il
oe constitutional to pass registry and navigation
acts 10 encourage shp-buiiding and auigafing in
fcreSfs-if 1t be constitutional TO admit rail road
IRON, or church organs, or books FREE of duty, 10
encourage the agricultural and commercial inter
ests and to promote piety-if it be cons litutional
10 grant copyrights and patents TO authors and
inventors, ~ encourage genius and talent how can
IL ne unconstitutional TO impose high duties on
imported fabrics to encourage and protect home
mdnuJacfures! Protection is the end aimed at in
boln eases; and protection be afforded as effec-
iuaiiy, In the one instance, by lo,o duties. or no
a"hes, as In the other, by high duties. For our
Ives we can see no difference in the principle
Ihere may be difference about the poLey of le-
gisfaiIng in regard TO the various subj. cts, but
mere can be none TO the ,rincipLe of consfitx-
fiOnai poiuer them.
The second session o: the first Congress of the
y. >. commenced on the 4th of January 1890.
On the 9Th of that month General Wasb;no,on
delivered his annual address to the two Uonses
IN which he made use of the following emphatic
language: 1.-The safety and interest of the peo-
PIE require That they should promote such manu-
Jdcf'"es as tend to render them independent of
Others for essential, particularly, for military sup
plies.n ''P
On the 18th of January, Congress- made their
answer 20 the address of the President; i'm which
they responded TO his remarks on the subject of
the protection oil manufactures in the following
"oius we concur with you in the senli-
me"' mat agriculture commerce and manufac-
lures are entitled to Legislative protection"
on The 9th january, the House of Representa-
lives adopted the following resolution, Ordered
hat 1t be referred 10 the Secretary Of the Trea-
sury 10 prepare ana report 20 this House proper
plan or plans conformaby to the recommendation
OF me President of the United States, in his
speech to both Houses Of Congress, for the en-
couf"getnemt and promotion of such manulac,o-
ries, as Will tend TO render the United States in
dependent of other Nations, COR Ike essential, par
tlculaTly military supplies"
WI. hamilton made very able report i'm reply
10 thIs resolution, from which we will submit but
a single passage:
;" II Europe will not take from us the products
OF our soil upon terms consistent with our inter
ests, The natural remedy is to contract, as fast as
possible, our wants of her.
-" though 1t were true that the immediate and
certain effects of regulations controlling the COM
pe'liion oil foreign with domestic fabrics was an
increase OF prices, 1t is universally true that the
contrary is the ultimate effect with every success
lui manufacture. When domestic manufacture
has attained to perfection, and has engaged in the
prosecution oil 1t competent number of persons,
II invariably becomes cheaper Being free from
Inc heavy charges which attend the importation
of FOREIGN commodities /, l. n i