Columbus Whig. (Columbus, Miss.) 1843-18??, 1844-04-11
C0LUMnIJs MEssIssIPPI. THURSDAY

a sword TO desetcy the happiness. the indds-
try and prosperity Of free coantry.
The delusi01llas been discarded By almost
every nation in Europe, and prohibitory Duties
are enacted upon rival commodities admitted in
to their ports.
England has well learned the tendency ofthe
doctrines Of pFufeetion, and her immense wealth
her vast influences, and colossal power, furnish
convincing proofs of the utility of their result.
Though prOdi&s1 Of her advice in conducting
the commercial regulations of other countries
she is ever too mindful of her own interest; TO
adopt the teuets Of those visionary SPECTATORS
in the region Of -metaphysicai abstraetions,"
who would rmpese upon the different nations
that ruinous policy which shs has always re;ec-
ted. She would indeed. rejoice at an event that
would open the parts ofthe world to her manu-
| features and Commodities generally, free of du-
| ty, but she could not be far blinded by the
extensive policy as to relax her restrictions. and
sanction its universal applicability. By subject
ing her interests to comp4iaucs with regulations
SO perncious in their consequences. Even in
the dark ages-in the early time of her first Ed.
wafds and Henrys, she Instituted the practice
of that system, which, through every vicissitude
Of fortune and circumstance. has extended her
resoalces, amassed her wealth, given protec-
ton to her industry, and with few irconsidera-
BILE exccutisi1 ssafising from extraneous causes,
secured the general prosperity of the Kingdom
When. now. we see that ambitious and polls
tic nation endeavsring to teach the people OF
this Goperhulent less6nH of policical economy
derived from the absurd spcculations and falla
ciotls DAY dreams of the author Of the "Wealth
Of Natljus,' we are sxhorted BY etsry principle
that has for its object the promotion of National
advantage, ana by every consideration of inde-
pendcnce and patriotism, TO examine well Info
the operation of the po!tlsy Of which she herself
is living refutation.
The American system as dthonihated by
the friends and advocates of protection to ma
tional industry, is deduced from the established
practice of the British Empire itself, and those
other nations of Europe, which have for cent?
ries, under the benign influence gifts oper atoms.
experienced the growth of their prosperity.
Russia, Prussia and Denmark, and even
China and Turkey have acted upon the princi>
nestle labor. Portugal too. in the latter part
of the 18th century enjoyed the political adj
vantages derived from the doctrine Of protec-
ton; until at length she embraced the fallacy of
free trade, and abolished her restrictions on the
commerce of England. Then it was, that the
face other prosperity realized hideous transfer
nation, and every feature Of industry waned
in decline
Florence owed her greatness and her splend
si-s suE,sI sOGiEy pa wo61en nnanufacTu~
res. which she supplied in quantities almost,
if not commensurate with the demands of tn
whole world The spirit of that species of In
dustFy has departed frsm its ancient seat, and
by kind of Pythagorean trsnsmigrations now
resides in the countries of France, Flanders and
England 1t needs not any extraordinary en-
dowments TO determine the cause Other decline |
in prosperity. 1t is to be found in the neglect |
of the protecting policy to herself, and the |
adoption of it by adjoining countries.
1t cannot be denied then, in the history Of all |
the past, that any nation that has not afforded !
sufficient encouragement and protection to the |
labor of it's citizens, has ever failed in prom u
ting her wealth. power, resources. industry and |
1t is equally lnconirovertbIe,
that different policy has done more to pros.
trate its strength and resources, than could we'll
have been done by an actual engagement in WIZ.
It is this latter policy which is permitted by the
wise nations of Europe at this time to moulder
in forgetfulncss and "Fester in the infamy Of
years"
O.J..,,A.,a Me- Ar-;i T0AA