Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-02-24

An extrac; from the speech Of Mr.. Nc
Duffie on his resolution to restore the CON-
promise act.
] come, now, Mr.. President, to consider
The arguments by which this systern OF
protective duties, in the various stages OF
its progress from 1924 to the present time,
has been supported. The principal argu-
ment addressed in the commencement. TO
the national prejudices, and still urged by
the supporters Of the system is. that 1t pro-
tects domestic agains, foreign industry, as
if Il were a conflict between the pecuniary
interests of this and foreign countries.
Now think can show that this is a
total mistake, in point OF facts that there is
no conflict at all between foreign and do
nestle industry, that foreign manufactures
cannot come in competition with our own,
but by means Of the domestic productions
of this country which are exchanged for
them; and that the conflict is really not be-
tween the foreign and domestic industry,
but between one branch Of domestic indus'y
and another. What is it to the manufac-
turers here, that the manufacturers OF Man.
chester, Leeds, and Birmingham. shall
shall make manufactures 10 all unlimited
amount and sell them at the lowest imagl.
nable prices, if the domestic industry ofthe
United States furnishes no productions to
exchange for ihem1 As long as they are
the properly Of foreigners, that is, the pro-
ductions Of foreign industry, there can be
no possible competition. When they are
exchanged for our domestic productions
they become American property, and to
all intents and purposes, the productions OF
American industry; and i is at this precise
point that the competition commences. II
is the exporters Of cotton, tobacco, rice,
grain, and meat, and the consumers Of the
foreign manufactures obtained for them,
who are the true competitors Of our domes.
tic manufactured Il is upon these, and
not upon foreigners, that the burden tails
of that suicidal policy which regards for
eign commerce as a national evil, and Tor
eien nations as natural enemies.
Another prominent argument by which
This system has been vindicated, is its ten
dency to increase the national indePend'
ence; and, having maintained war Of Sc
ven years, full Of priyations and sacrifices,
to achieve that great national blessing, il
i not wonderful that the very words ina
tionaI independence" should have charm
| for eyery American heart. But, sir, there
never was more nlischievous and fatal
1eIusiou than that which is propagated by
| those who maintain that foreign commerce
diminishes the independence Of the nations
bv whom Il l. carried CT. Il Is en- idea
which riginaied in the dark ages, when
nations were regardei as natural enemies
and plumber and rapine were the sources
Of national income; and has been ProPaa.
gated by ambitious conquerors, who wouic
keen the nations Of the earth involved IL
| everlasting wars TO crafty their iawles'
ambition. But, sir. the idea is untoundet
in truth as il has been fatal 10 its influence
Mutual dependence between nations crea
ted by the exchanges Of an extensive com
mercial intercourse, 10 tho highest state 9
political Independence that can exisi Dc