Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-10-05
To Ire Editors o( Me Enquirer:

Ger. lst, 1914.
Nessrs. Editors regret that the Democrats
have assumed 10 themselves name That does mol
represent their prncipes-and consequently ena-
b!es the Wings, by coupling Free 1/o"c WIN
E1ir prOirc,i0R 10 gain, in many instances, an
unwarrantablc ascendancy in political discus
sions and artfullv written letters and newspaper
presses The words FIRE. TRUE are inconsistent
with the mos, moderate revenue duties, as we'll
rhc highest duties for Protection. II will he
well. therefore TO disabuse the minds of those who
have become confused by tins unfortunate misap-
picaion OF terms, and put the matter rccHs IN en-
ran. if NAV So say, before an cnquring and agi-
ta,cd public. many Of whom are honestly dis
messed and wish 10 vote undcrslandinglv, and with
q view To promote the best interests Of the coun-
try. in the approaching election, now nearly at
hand And imagine the best way 10 effect this.
will lie to state the creed Of each as simply, and
as in,ciligiblv and as briefly us the best chosen
words will enable us 10 do.
The Democratic creed then is this: We wish
the Government irusally administered and deem
the aggregate sum Of - millions, raised by inn
post duty on all taxed imporiations on foreign
goods amply sufficient 10 effect that purpose and
therefore will extend 10 home industry an impair
lia incidental protection, Just sufficient To meet
the demands Of the Government; and We deem an
ad ra'orcn. duty OF 30 or p per cent sufficient 10
accomplish this purpose And here let it be borne
in mind, that duty Of % per cent levied strictly
for revenue purposes, Affords incidental Procc-
ton to home industry 10 that amount; and there
fore the word incidcnt0i, claimed by the Wings
as peculiarly their own, only when used by them
conveys the idea OF higher protection extended To
peculiar in,crecls and favored classes.
The Wing creed is this: Let US tax every ar!i-
Gle coming from abroad, when similar articles
are manufactured or produced in our country, as
high as the article will bear il, regardless of the
economical wants of the Government, or the az
gresale sum that may reach the Treasury, whe-
lher p or 10 millions The redundancy can do
us no harm for, the foreign producer and not the
home consumer pays il, or the greater part oi it
the ;,eorem being now practically established, that
high duties make cheap goods.
And now | will adduce one instance among
many, where the Wings have practiscd imposi-
ton bv constituting the words Free Trade" &c.
comins 10 their literal import Mr.. Clay, in his
recen, letter 10 Mr.. Cooper of Philadelphia, who
had made him present OF some kid gloves says
THe question is mar depending before the american
people wictkcr The doctrines Of Free Trade ar f1,,
protection 10 American industry shall prcrail"-
| The question is no such thing and, being pur-
posely misstated by Fl. Clay, should sink him in
| the estimation Of all honest politicians. The
question is, whether the fair and incidental pro-
lection TO American industry offered by the De-
mocras, or the exorbitant and unequal protection
of the Wings shall prevail, contend, that this
is the true question al Issue, and thar Fl. Clay a
the present juncture, should he ashamed TO misre
presentit ii. ! would pity any man, more partieu-
larly one so distinguished as H. Clay who would
thus artfully mislead the minds OF his country.
men, to promote his own political aspirations :
! Shame, where is Thy bush2 y LEGS.