The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-09-20


aud capitalists enable US 10 increase our supply oil
the neoessares aud enjoymenls OF life, increase our
ability 10 feed, ciohe, and educate our sous and
daughters and thus nj them ior that high and holy
destiny for which they were designed.
Protection 10 .fnsrteaa Industry the honied phrase
that has been rung Tor the last twenty 1--WE
years. Thousands Of fellow craftsmen have
been deceived aud deuded INTO the support Of taxes
restrictions, and prohibitions upon the trade ana IN
dusry Of the country by the false use OF the term
protection Protection 20 the mechanic, protection
10 the aborer in the shape OF restrictive and prohb-
TORY taxes upon every article OF food and clothing
that is consumed in his family, has been echoed aud
re-echoed throughout the length and breadth OF the
land.
But is the film at last removed from our eyes our
understanding is captive no longer. The so-called
protective system has proved itself oppressive TO our
interests. Ii has failed 10 increase our ability TO
clohc and educate those dependent upon us Ii has
increased expenses Of LIVING while IT has not III
creased but rather decreased the wages OF our labor
We are compelled 10 pay more for the cotton and
woollen goods we consume, while II requires every
Yenon in our power Ia command from our employ
ers former prices paid for labor. Prices paid US
were never lower Than now though under the re-
ducton of duties effected by the act called the Com
promise act they were much higher
We ask you, fellow citizens, where is the proteS-
ton that promised us under the present high Ia
rid? III we receive more for our labor, and are
required 10 pay for large portion of he neces
aries of lie consumed by US, are we protected by
the tariff II TO be taxed for the purpose Of
increasing the wealth of few capitalists and veal
Thy manufacturers, in the name OF justice and truth
we protest against calling il protection to our IN
dustry! Gail it injustice, call II OPPRESSION, call It
PLUMBER call IT robbery, or by any other 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 DEMENT'S,
while we willing TO contribute our proportion OF
the expenses of government. Equal protection 10
all classes of men, 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 clmes can be beneficial
to u.s. Light taxes, and as little restrictions upon
the trade and of the world as IS compati-
BILE 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 ena-
BILE us as a class to command higher wages (Which it
does mott it could only produce this effect by ncreas-
ing the price of the shoes when made, and thus IN
jure the great body of the consumers If such should
be its effect upon The produce oil our labor IL would
not benefit US. For the same cause that increased
the price of shoes would the price of every
other article and we should suffer IN the purchase
of hat, and coat our sugar, and our salt be-
sides numerous other articles of consumption.
The great principle that forms The basis of the SCI
ence Of political economy is the art or power OF pro
ducing cheap. The nation that can produce the
cheapest will always have the advantage in the
ket Of the world. nation that possesses the aciii-
ties Of growing or making an article cheaper than
another, needs taxes or prohibitory laws 10 lessen
foreign competition. A souLd uniform, and unfuc-
tuatng currency, light taxes, and much of free
trade is consistent with economical support of
the Government will do more to protect American
industry than all the prohibitory tariffs that ever were
| enacted.
years ample time has elapsed to test its effects upon
the branch of business in which class
gagged. And we now appeal to you, to the greatbody
OF shoemakers in this city, and throughout the Unon
whether they have experienced the promised benefits
| that its friends said would result.
! We know your reply fellow-citizens. There is not
an intelligent shoemaker in the United States who
will say that he is benefited by the arif-unless no
considers low wages for labor and Increased taxes
upon what he Consumes benefit.
Let US take another view of the injurious effect Of
the present tariff upon. the mechanical industry Of
the country; and particularly upon that branch Of
mechanical labor in which we are engaged
The great and most important interest Of this and
all other countries is the agricultural. This the
primal source of mans happiness. Ii IS this interest
from which all other branches Of industry receive
their chief support. When this Interest, prospers, all
others prosper. When the farmer receives remuno-
rating pricei for tie produce of his labor, the
chanic and the artizan Prospers. Fourteen millions
Of our people agricultural they oppres-
ed beyond endurance. The tariff affords them no pro-
lection. Their wheat, beef, butter, pork, &c sc.
wants market IL they can sell at fair prices they
can increase their purchases Of what pr duce.-
Secure to them good prices for their labor and you
wi secure good ,rices for our labor Relieve them
from the burdens of high taxes, and you relieve Us.
Protect thep, and, natural and inevitable conss-
quence, you protect US.
| Fellow Mechanics, the age of restrictions upon
the industry of man is fast passing away. Freedom
in all legitimate pursuits is the prevailing sentiment
OF the age in which we live. Protect each and every
man in the enjoyment Of all those natural rights qua
r,ntied o him by the Constitution Of our country
leave him free = pursue, that business in life for
which he is by nature or education best qualified for
Remove every unjust restriction upon the nations
industry. Give TO intellect and genius their widest
field Divert not the natural channel in which the
labor OF our people would be directed when un1b-
structed.
If ask protection, it is protection from TIE pre-.
sent high taxes upon large proportion Of the ne
cessaries Of life We ask that our labor should not
be unnecessarily be bufdened with high duties ON
what we eat and drink. We are willing TO contribute
our lair proportion Of the burdens Of government
but we ask fair proportion Of It's benefits We de-.
sire no monopoly IN our vocation but we are unsl-
ling TO b. taxed for the sole benefit Of the mlnua5-
tn ers Equal protection to ell classes Is our motto
give us this, and we content
or all the iallacies Of the day we consider the pro-
missed protection to the mechanics Of the United
Staies under the present taIiG, the greatest At all
events the sboemakers have had enough Of il. We
ask that II may no longer be afforded.
Dc therefore resolved That the present tariff j.,
burdensome tax upon the industry Of the country,
ADD particularly upon that branch Of industry IN
which we are engaged.
Resolved, That our uDtring exertions will be used
to procure modification Of the present tariff, by
which our taxes will be ligbtencd and our labor bet
ter rewarded. We believe that sound CUR ncy
and light taxes upon the necessaries Of life will pro-
tect us INFINITELY more than the present tox Of about
10 per cent on sugar, che p coltons and nlnnols-
hemoTe Tins burden upon industry and
wives and children will be better clolhed fed, and
educated.
h1'osed That The effect OF the high tariff upon Tho
agricultural industry Of the country, has an injurious
eneot upon the mechanics by lessening the demand