Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-04-26
COMMUNICATIONS.
FOR THE E-TQUIRER.
TIE PgO1 ECTING SYSTEM.

Inc object OF The protecting system IS, the iavoring
oil home manufactures, system OF partial legislation
false IN theory, oppressive and Injurious in It's operation,
ana utterly inefficient TO accomplish the purposes Tor
which IL was designed 1t is partial legislation, as II
iaVors particular branch Of industry, no The neglect
and prejudice of other industrial departmenis-as II
shows preference 10 the subordinate cllims OF one
CLASS OF individuals, instead Of consulting ana ecvan
eng The interests OF the nation at large In lis opera
ton, violates the best settled principles OF political
economy, which point to the interest which every one
has, IN purchasing commodities at the cheapest rate
his rule IS so obvious, that every complies with IT,
as far as ne is able. But the projecting system, by dis
couragIng lmportations of foreign commodities restricts
The ability OF each individual 10 act upon this rule by
compelling him to pay to The "home manufacturer,
for "home manufactures" more than they are worth
The object Of such system cannot be accomplished
The manufacturing industry cannot be fosered and
built up by legislative protection; il vii but impede
its progress and destroy it's vigor Freedom from
legislative interference, is an essential element in
the progress of all industrial pursuits. The expe-
rence Of the past attests this truth The manu-
acture of silk was introduced into England in the
fifteenth century, and progressed with rapid strides
10 great importance and improve until near
the close of the venteenth-notwithstandmg that
at this period, foreign silks freely admitted
and from fG00, 900 to E100,000 worth were annually
imported. Bot. in 1857, the projecting system
menced, at the suggestion of the Huguenots, who Ind
been driven from France the revocation of line Edct
,ation of French and other European silks vas pro-
hibted, and which subsequently extended to the
silk goods of India and China The change thus ef
fected in silk manufacture, was Marked and visible.
Before this of Restrictions and the trammels of mo-
nopoy had commenced, the silk manufacture had adj
vanced with great rapdty, aud had become of great
Importance. But the onward impulse which it had
acquired, when free from legislative interference,
now arrested 1t could not be nused by monopoly and
it languished unit! new era From 1900, down to
1924, We have nothing but budget Of complaints
the part Of The silk manufacturers. No body but snug
slers grew rich, and Parliament mpo,pn, in afford
ing relief Vicisstudes marked the history of the
Tx manufacture, until final Stop put all far
Their improvement, by reason OF the monopoly and the
Sptnlsield Act, regulating wages in 1913. The saga
cious mind OF Mr. Huskisson The evils and mpo-
Icy of this system, and, in 1876, he dissolved the
charm, by the Introduction OF law admitting foreign
manufactured silks, on payment of duty of 30 per
cent, dd ratorem. From this period, the silk manu-
iaclure has advanced, and has become strong in the
heahui struggle of competition, and England is now
enabled by the introduction Of The late discoveries and
improvements al the continent, TO rival the beautiful
fabrics OF China and France. We thus discover, that
the protecting system avail nothing. Competition
the soul and life OF industry and lie influence should
not be trammelled. True industry needs no bounty,
no proteclionit asks only freedom from interference
The Austrian Government has also adopted the sys
tenn Of high duties All foreign manufactures sub
ected to duty OF SIXTY per cent al raiorfm eqniva
lent most cases 10 prohibition. One OF the
quences of tbs system, is the smuggling of English
Swiss aud French goods-whch extensively carried
along the extended frontier Of the Austrian terrific
~. Switzerland having re- ected the protective sys
TEN, ls made The point appui for the operations of
the smuggers and many of the inhabitants Of the SWISS
cantons subs ST entirely by smuggling goods into Aus
tria And TO such state o! perfection has this snug
Cling system arrived, tina. goods purchased with
the guarantee of the seller that they shall BE- delivered
safely 10 the purchaser; the being insured
houses established for the purpose at rate varying
from fifteen per cent Spain edheres ths;sys
tenn. Her duties foreign fabrcs nre ssiye, or
are prohbit've altogether But mpoent these re-
s.rctions; and SAID, that Englshman can find
any town in Spain any Manchester article he may
want. Bands oil sinugglsrs from Portugal supply The
Northern and inland parts, while Gibraltar is attentive
In all wants The Mediterranean. In Austria and
Spain conviction is almost impossible, for ready made
vouchers always produced to show that the de
nounced articles are OF home production. Now, what
are the results OF this SYSTEM Loss the Govern
ment, the consumer, and the people large The Go
yernment would derive revenue from moderate du
y-,he consumer pays higher for goods which he must
use and the people must maintain al vast expense,
crowd of useless officers Another result is,
perjury, and evasions of law. 1t produces drssa,is
faction and hatred of Government by foreign monopo.
lies, which are subyersiye Of the interests Of large
mass Of the people. How long will il be before our
Legislature will listen to The voice of experience and
10 The suggestions Of wisdom The protecting system
is now hateful in the eyes of the people-they have
fell lis Fife cts, and cleary discern lis injustice and u.
tty. The silver veil which lis al vocates had thrown
around il, has been cast asde and the odiouC features
concealed beneath have been exposed 10 the indignant
condemnation Of an oppressed people. b.