Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-12-20

paratvely thin, and wages hish-can aouol ~. d
moment that agriculture ntusf Tor long seiicS
of wears, he The most profitable species OF eil-
ployment in which her citizens can eheasc.I
There can be no question, indeed Ihst sucn oidIen-
es of manufacture as are naturally adapteo 10
her peculiar situation, will gradually grow up
and flourish in America, without any artihcial
encouragement according as her population be-
comes denser and as the advantage which now
exists on the side of agriculture becomes less de-
cided But to force, by means oil duties and
prohibitions, the premature growth OF manuiac-
lures, is plainly 10 force portion OF Inc industry
and pitaI Of the country into businesses IN which
i, will be least productive.
"Such, however, has been for heightened Pc
riod the policy of The American Legislature
The exploded sophsms OF The mercantile system,
though renowned BY every statesman in Europe,
acquired noxious influence in Congress, and
were put forth with as much confidence, asii their
soandness neither had been, nor could be question
ed From 1916 down TO 1882, the object OF the
American Legislature was 10 bolster mp manu-
featuring interest, by imposing oppressive duties
on most manufactured articles imported from
abroad. We leave it TO others 10 de-
,ermne whether the absurdiy OF the system or the
cos,liness, be its more prominent feature. That
its influence was not more injurious, is solely ow-
ing 10 the smuggling it occasoned. With from
Tier Ike that OF mcrica, and with a half or more
of the population hostile TO the Tariff, it would
have been worse Than absurd 10 suppose that it
could be carried into full effect But il had enough
OF influence 10 render il in The last degree preju-
dieial-to occasion great rise in the price OF
many impor,an, arcles-to cripple the trade and
navigation Of the conntry-and to throw a
considerable part of il into the hands OF TO
reigncIs who carried il on in defiance Of the law.
In &c h0u n
verse system might have been maintained, but
for its political effects. 1t was principally palro-
nized BY the Northern Staics-We believe, in
deed that it is quite impossible TO show that they
did or could derive any benefit from it but at
all events, it is qnile certain hiatt il was highly
injurious 10 the Southern States-their staple
products are colon tobacco and rico, of which
BIZ far the largest portion is exported 10 foreign
countries, and the planters speedily found hat
every restriction on importation from abroad oc-
ca>ioned a corresponding difficulty ofcxporaion.
This led 10 a disnnion ofinerests, and 10 strong
er circumstances against the Tariff BY the South
crn States-these, however were disregardcd.-
Provoked By this treatment, South Carolina took
the decisive step of refusing TO enforce the Gus
toms acts and threatened il coercion were at
tempted 10 repel force by force, and 10 recede
from the Union this was deaih-blow to the
Tariff. Congress now saw what all sensible
men had long seen before, that il was necessary
10 recedc, that in fact either the Tariff must be
modified, or the integrity Of the Union be brought
into jeopardy. A law was accordingly passed
onthe Nth of July, 1882, which directed a consi-
dcrable deduction 10 I've made from the duties on
various articles after the 81 OF March, 1888, and
Il subsequent act commonly called "Mr Claws
new Tariff bill, was passed on the 2d OF March,
1888, providing for The gradual reduction Of the
duties. These judicious acts restored tranquility,
and there can be no doubt, will be, ir every point
OF view, highly beneficial 10 the Republic"
These 'judicious' acts. which would have
proved so beneficial arc, however, superseded by
the Tariff act Of -. And Mr.. Clay himself,
like Saturn is dcyouring his own offspring He
has solemnly repudated lin his letter to the Com
mittee OF Cumbcrand,) all idea Of any repeal,
any modification of The Tariff Of ~, which pros
lralcs in the dust every principle Of the Comrro-
mise Act.
agriculture, therefore, has right 10 demand i'm
mediate relief. The prices OF her productions are
kept down by the TaIifi-ibe demand and the ex-
poration being necessarily Limited Ky the lmiia
lion flhe Imports The sooner Of course the
modification is made, the better for her.
In the same manner, Commerce has right 10
demand immediate action-lhat her wings mar
be lei loose, and her agents may know en- what
measures she is 10 dcpena-wliat orders she is
10 send abroad 70: the supply ofour own markets.
The Manufacturers themselves have a right 10
expect it. Why keep them in suspense for an
other twelvemonth2 No occupation in the coun-
Try requires more stability Of operation. How
can they know how lar il is safe to invest capital
in new factories, until they know what system Of
duties is to be supported. Nearly the whole coun-
Try calls out, Ciansc Change! This oppres-
sive Tariff cannot continue rs il is. Is il not
then wise and proper 10 look ahead, and adopt
some measure, with the least possib. delay, on
which all may act as the basis Of their future
operations. But what sys,eia shall ii be We
shall, in the course OF a few days, take The liberty
OF making some suggestions on this subject,
which may approximate 10 some definite result.
We shall, for this purpose, introduce very able
letter, which we have received from a friend in
Congress who is pleased TO ask the opinion OF the
delegates OF his district, bnt who, in fact, has
given so wise theory Of his own, that il almost
superseded thenecessity ofconsuting them. They
have seen il, and fully confirm it, We, too, are
strongly inclined 10 adopt it, il shows every pro-
per regard even for the interests Of The manu-
i:c,urcis-so far, at least, as gradual return 10
The spirit of The 'jrdicious and beneficial" Com
promise may be productive OF that effect. II re-
commends, TOO, the other important element OF &C
Ton, VIZ: SldUlIlty oil uutleS.
In connection with this subject, we have read
over The debates in the House OF Representatives
on Tuesday and Wednesday la>t-on The bill ITO
provide for the remission of duties on railroad
iron in certain cases" Gentlemen from various
sections participated in it. Mr.. Phoenix, 4
Wing member Of New York, was in favor
of the bill Mr. Charles J. Ingersoll, who
stickles for the iron of Pennsylvania, was
strongly opposed to thus attacking The Ia
riff Of AZ, in detail and beginning, too, with
his own State He seemed 1--WE thnk) 10 go with
the Secretary's suggestion-at least be said, "lt
he understood the report OF The Secretary OF the
Treasury, he recommended a large modification
Of the Tariff act but in the latter part of the Gocu-
rent, he said, as il that had beenan aiterthought,
Not this year. do not let us do il now; let ms do il
on some future occasion. But, in The words OF
The gentleman from Ohio, Sufficient unto the day
is The evil thereof They were now upon coal
and iron, a laugh lat least upon iron; and, ever
since he had read Hudibras, he had rccollected-
"Many are the troubles that do environ
The man who NEEDLES with cold IRON
"He was opposed 10 the bill in every way; and
he wished TO record that opposition on the journal,
al The outset"
Mr. Holmes OF Charleston denounced the Ia
riff in eloquent ierms-and commended thai "at-
lacking it in detail was The only way" In which
sentiment, however, as at present advised, VIC
have the misfortune of differing with MIR Holmes
The whole system ought 10 be taken up al once
and regulated upon the wisesl principlcs-a Ger
tain but gradual return to the ma ximum of The
Compromise Act, and discriminating under that
standard, among various articles for revenue sake
with such incidental protection only as that rule
may furnish.
"Mr Preston King said, he was not in "a vor
Of the passage of this bill because proposition
10 change the Tariff Of 1912 BY details was not
the proper mode of accomplishing this object
During the recent canvass, if any body had said
that the first proposition 10 alter the Tariff Of 1912
would come from the Wing side OF the House.
it would have been denounced as caumny.-
'rhev the Democratic party, had said that the
Tariff was defective that it required change in
very many particulars; that it had been got up in
haste, and did not promote the interests of The
country. He was graliiicd st The introduction of
this bill, because ii was evident .herefron now
thot tho dust and smoke of the pOltical cuntnSt