Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1844-09-27
From the New York PAebian.
Meeting of the ShOemakerS against The pre-
sent Authoritative and oppressive
TARIFF,

- TARIFF.
Quite numerous and highly intelligent bo-
dy oil shoemakers convened last evening at
Mayors Concert Hall, to take into considera-
ton effect of the present tariff upon their
branch OF industry. They were organized by
the appointment of Mr.. ROBERT Wall
Kerr, as President; David Kilmer, Daniel
WltIer' Samuel kohler, Enoch Granger and
William Mackee, as Vice Presidents and Ira
Z. Munson and Henry Beeney, as Secretaries.
The committee appointed at previous meet
ing reported the following Address and Reso-
Iutions:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS An important crisis
IN national affairs has arrived. A right under
standing OF the great questions now agitatino.
the public mind is of vital importance to ali
classes OF the community; and to none more
so than 10 US. We earn our living by follow
ing an honest and useful occupation. The
happiness and welfare of ourselves and fami-
lies depend upon our daily labor. We have
been told that a high tariff was necessary to
protect the mechanical industry of the coun-
try, and particularly that branch of mechani-
cal labor in which we are engaged. We have
been told that the present high Tariff would
enable us to command better prices for our la.
bor' make MS less dependent upon the power
OF capital and capitalists, enable us to increase
our supply of the necessaries and enioyments
OF life, increase our ability to feed, clothe, and
educate our sons and daughters, and thus fit
them fol that high and holy destiny for which
they were designed.
Protection 10 american Industry is the ho-
MED phrase that has been rung in our ears for
the last twenty-five years. Thousands of our
fellow craftsmen have been deceived and de-
luded Into the support of taxes, restrictions,
and prohibitions upon the trade and industry
OF the country, by the false use of the term pro-
lection. Protection to the mechanic, protec-
ton to the laborer, in the shape of restrictive
and prohibitory taxes upon every article OF
food and clothing that is consumed in his fam
lily. has been echoed and re-echoed throughout
the length and breadth of the land. 49,.
But is the film at last removed from our
eyes; our understanding is captive no longer.
The so-called protective system has proved it.
self oppressive to our interests. It has failed
to increase our ability to clothe and educate
those dependent upon us. 1t has Increased
our expenses of living, while it has not in
creased, but rather decreased the wages of our
labor. We are compelled to pay more for the
cotton and woollen goods we consume, while
it requires every exertion in our power to COM
mand from our employers former prices paid
fof our labor. Prices paid s-were never low
er than now; though under the reduction of
duties effected by the act called the Compro-
mise act they were much higher.
We ask you, fellow-citizens, where is the
protection that was promised US under the pre-.
sent high tariff? If we receive no more for
our labor, and are required to pay more for a
large portion of the necessaries of life consum.
ed by US. are we protected by the tariff! II
we are to be taxed for the purpose of increas-
ing the wealth of few capitalists and veal.
thy manufacturers, in the name of Justice and
truth we protest against calling it protection
to our industry Call it injustice, call it OPP
preston, call it plumber. call il robbery, or by
any o:her and more mild term, so long as the
name indicates the effect produced.
If industry is to be protected or benefited
by acts of Congress, we demand our share OF
the benefits, while we are willing to contribute
our proportion of the expenses of government.
Equal protectionsto all classes of men, to all
branches of industry is-the only system of
protection that can long be endured by free
and Intelligent people. No prohibitions OF
the productions of foreign chimes can be bene-
fetal to US. Light taxes, and as little restric-
tons upon the trade and commerce Of the
world as is compatible with the wants of the
Government, is the only method by which the
industry of this great nation, can be protected
and made most prosperous. '<~
Even should heavy tax upon foreign shoes
enable is as class to command higher wage:
(which 1t does not Tit could only produce thi:
effect.by Increasing the price of shoes wher
maden and thus injure the great body OF thu
consumers Hsuch should be its effect upor
the produce of our labor it would not benei
us.ptFor, the same cause that increased TIT
price Of shoes would increase the Price of eve