The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-03-22
From the Journal of Commerce.

MeSsrs. Editors Are our citizens
aware how much this boosted country oil
freedom is behind the age! Are they
aware that IN the face of public opinion
founded on the most careful collation. of
economical acls--we have been guilty of
increasing the restrictions on commerce
Shame, shame to us as nation of indie
pendent lree-thinking men! Let US look
at the facts. We are now supplying
England herself, the "great workshop Of
the world" with not merely raw articles,
but the products Of mechanical skill.
What sort Of an outcry should we hear if
England were now sending US new staple
commodities "Ruin to our manulac-
tures'-"lncrease the Tariff" These
would be the war-cries of interested would
be monopolisls. Industry seeks no pro-
lection bu, equal laws. 1t is manly
asks no aid-begs no pitlul alms-does
not whine and shipper i'll the ear of legis-
lalion like blind beggar, but depending
Oh lis own honest energies, fears no COM
petition and asks no iavors. Clocks |.
England is overrun with Yankee clocks.
How is this ! Is labor cheaper here than
in England! We have undersold Eng
land in cotton goods. Is this on account.
of the "cheaper labor" of Europe p! and
greatest result of approaching free trade
as evlneed by the lowering of the English
tariff we are now sending to England
boots and shoes! A shpmen! was made
a short time since, which must find a
profitable market, on account of their en-
ceedng cheapness compared with the
same article of English manufacture.
Farther: Are our cNlzens aware that
LEATHER in considerable quantities has
been shipped hence 10 England! With
Their duty of fifteen per cent. Cess than
half of ours it is sel-evident that we can
furnish all England with leather; and un-
less our abominable "black tariff should
cause the English legislature 10 rclaliale
by counterva:ling duties, ii is perfectly
certain that the Northern States of this
Union, and particularly the Empire
State mast be, IN a rey short time, the
grea. producers Of leather for the English
marke,.-'rhe manufacture of leather is
with US one Of the natural occupations,
which we can pursue with advantages
greatly superior to other nations. We
have almost inexhauslible supplies Of
bark, abundance of water power, and the
proper mechanical skill. England is obi
gel TO send for her bark IAN article very
bulky, and consequently expensive in
ransportaion,) TO all parts of the world.
We, having the bark at our own doors.
will transmit it TO her, snugly packed in
to the hides of cattle, nj little, if any, cos,
of transportation over what she how pays
for hides alone. Let the citizens of this
great Stale reflect on the immense advan-
lages now offered TO them, and ask them
selves whether they are prepared to meet
England on liberal terms, OF to raise in
the bosoms of her legislators those feel
ings of resentment which 50 often amongst
nations lead to restrictions, and all the
other humbugs Of ignorance and miscall-
ed "patriolism.'
| presume. Messrs. Editors, that the
Leather manufactures consumed in Great
Britain must in amounl be as large with
perhaps one or Two exceptions) as any
other product Of her home consumed IN.
dos,ry. Absolutely. his immense item
in her hitherto domestic trade, is offered
10 us; and by the chapness of the arIl-
clio we can send, we can increase her
consumption of i, very greatly. Ought
we not, in return for this liberaliiy. to
make some corresponding concessions