The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-06-10

In the first place think tho question has been nd
mirnby discussed in Congress at its present session
The whole subject has been explored with new in
dpstry and with great talent, by members Of Con-
gress from ths State and other States, among the
foremost in debating and in Legislative talent in the
country. The sources of its Constitutional power
have been explored. Tho question has been traced
to the times of WAsHINGToN-to the times OF the
Constitution and TO the times before the Conslitu-
ton; and from all this il has been that, from the
times Of tho dstresscs Of the country after hep peace
of 49, TO the adoption Of the Constitution, and after
wards through all the early administrations Of the
Government an acknowledged object Of tho Con-
sttulion the protection of the manufacturing and
other industry of the United States against the cheap
or labor and the greater capital Of Europe.
IN the next place I asrribe much Of this influence,
much OF this happy influence, which has procured the
defeat Of this measure in Congress, 10 tho gcncrous,
the enlightened, the manly manner in which the
Southern Wings have come out and manifested their
opinion this subject They have felt, and they
do not see that all their cotton fields have been
hlighed by the TarilT-that all the hopes Of the
Southern planter, and all the comforts OF Southern
life have been destroyed by the system OF Protection
Of our National Industry. They have mnntnincd
their ground in high, noble, saiesmnnlike manner
They entered boldly into the dscu sson, and they
posed their own high characler--nnd on the mer-
its of this great question ITSELF and on the intelligence
of the people Of their own States, sustain the opin
ions they have held, and TO answer for the public
policy they have pursued. And their reliance is
proved to have been in vain.
In the third place, believe that since the subject
has been more discussed, the great body Of the iurm
ing interest of the United States has 10 under
stand il great deal better. 1t has been charged eve
ry where that the protective policy inrors TIE rich
manufacturers the corporate bodies who have large
investments. the capitalists who have employed orc
ratiyes under them. Now do not suppose there is
a more plain proposition in the world, n proposition
more capable of truth and demonstration than this,
that in the condition Of things IN this country poll
cy which in protecting the manufacturing industry
gives employment to persons who are not producers
OF agricultural commodities, but who nre consumers,
is highly and substantially beneficial To all parties con-
cerned in the farming interest. Without going into
any great theory on this matter, without laying dcwn
any general propositions drawing general iniercn-
ces let me address myself to this assembly, mostly
composed Of the Turning interest Of n. J. The great
interest of New Jersey is a farming interest The
interest Of next importance is the manufacturing
There can he little chance Of mistake in assuming
that these two interests made mp the aggregate Of
New Jersey pursuits.
The appeal false and deusive "a it is, is always
made TO the farming interest, that the efet OF the
protective policy is tho prices of those arl-
ccs which the farmer has to purchase u ih's were
true il would answer ony half the question: because
every farmer is Interested in the prices on both Sides
the price Of what ne has TO purchase and the price Of
that which he has TO sell If 1t were true that the
Tariff policy enhanced the price of that which he
must purchase, that would not settle the question:
lie would enquire and ask whether it would not
have corresponding greater effect in enhancing
the p,ce of hat he has 81 sell.
But now appeal to you, and to all men every
where. who will Weld Il emselves TO fnct-who will
give up dogmas Cor truth appeal TO every
man here it. in point Of fact those articles which nIe
required FOR consumption in New Jersey cannot be
procured cheaper now than AT the commencement oil
the protective policy in the United States. Is not
the cloth you need for your wives and children as
cheap: | suppose there is no doubt of that They
cheaper cheaper not only in regard to the money
price, but in comparison 10 what you have TO eX-
change for what you wish 10 purchase And now,
gentlemen what is the great interest oil the great body
of the farmers Of the United States take tho body
Of New Jersey farmers as ar illustration of all the
rest.
What is their INTEREST," Undoubtedly il is to have |
fair price FOR that which they raise by tilng their
own lands-n reasonable prce-a near and perma- /
nent market for the products Of their labor now how
IS this to be secured We know it cannot be found
abroad As for talking of finding such market a |
broad, it is idle, it is mockery. There Is no such
Where then shall we find ii Where hut IN these |
of persons WHO are not producers them
selves, but who consumers-those who manuIac- |
ture cloths and fabrics OF all descriptions and 10 bring
them to pay for the agricultural products OF other |
pats of the country II seems TO be the most de- |
sructive policy in the world, to check ms domestic
industry of the country, put down these domestic
mann fCturcs or seriously TO diminish their success,
because it will annhla,e, il will suppress, it will OBJ
litcrdte, that great market which IS most important
for American farmer That ne snoulu PoSSes-'-
WHY is it nothing to the farmer Of Western New Jer-
soy that the arznns and manufacturers Of Phinde'-
rha are ourishins aud able TO buy and consume the
produce they have TO sell Is nothing 10 those far
mers of New Jersey who live near Newark and Pat
erson, whether the manufacturing establishments OF
Newark and Paterson 80 OR, and give TO them what
they have to buy and furnish market for what they
have TO sell And VIVA, is true in this respect Of
neighhorhoods of Counties, Of Statos, must he seen
to be true for the whole growing produce rails
ing, agricultural part Of the community, and OF the
whole country.
There is more, gentlemen, 10 be said on this topic
than could think of passing before you iiut there
one thing will remark. Taking your own State as
an exampler-and it is n fair one-ior consider New
Jersey on the whole agricultural commrnity-her
people living by their industry in the cultivation oil
the land the times, the progress Of events, The gen
eal improvements which are taking place IN Soc'ey'
in regard to those who engaged IN other pursuits
have made II peculiar 1t has beon Wen sal"
that agriculture is not steam engine OF IN t''c Ia"
lure Of farming pursuits, i, is thing incapable o,
such improvements the progress oil inc ar'S ana
the use of mnchncry have conferred on oher depart
nents of labor. You cannot p!ow ny steam, you
cannot hoe your CORN thresh your gram or make
your haryests bv steam. All tho labor OF ngrlcul-
lure il substantially as it was hundred years ago,
a mammal operation Agriculture thus shares not
half The benrGs-,hn saving of expense and other i'm