Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-06-14


table, had fears that it would not strengthen nv
position-that is to say, apprehended that prices
prior TO the tariff of 1912 were little lower than
subsequent prices but my surprise the fact is lli-
rec1y the reverse. What will some of nv Southern
friends, who believe in Mr.. McDufie's theories,
and the fortyball calculation, (which, by the way
never could understand,) say to this But keen
cool, gentlemen, whilst |, who in times long past
figured on the same blackboard with a few of You.
"sum up" Genius, talents, and eloquence have
been instrumental in elevating some of you to high
places and distinction-and | am proud of it, be-
cause of early associations but you do not appear
TO understand the operation of the tarif-that is to
say, you denounce the protective policy without in
veshgating IFS effect upon prices.
Some of you on the floor of Congress flriously
and Indignantly cry out, Oppression - ..The
North pundering the South Now, will not saw
that all this is brutum fuimen but will prove by
figures, which do not lie, that there is no oppres-
SION, no pundering. In previous number il was
shown that the New England States, old Massa-
chusetts especially take annually large quantities Of
Southern products, and pay punctually, which is
any thing but oppression. Let us now return TO
The table of prices and see if the Lowell gentry do
actually pick pockets, in consequence of the
duties imposed by the tariff Of 1912 upon foreign
articles OF the same description. The table shows
that the wholesale (Boston) prices of light sheengs
average Tor three years prior to the passage of the
existing tariff fraction under cents /; and the
average ION the LIST May for the last three years is
exactly o. cents. Heavy sheetngs averaged for
he prior years " cents, and for the last three years
: cents. Light shirtings averaged for the prior
years "a cents, and for the last three years cents
Drings averaged for the prior years fraction over
81 cents, and Tor the last three years fraction un-
der 81 cents. Here, then, il is made palpabe that
the tariff oil 1912 did moi enhance the prices of do
mestic fabrics, but they were actually reduced But
let us hold on little longer to the table of prices
document which demonstrates that tariffs do moi
raise prices. Under the compromise act. we all
know there was gradual reduction of duties on
imports. What was the effect of this upon the ar
tlcles now under consideration! The average price
Of light sheehngs for eight years prior TO 1912 was
cents heavy sheetings l05 cents light shirtings
cents; drlllings cents. Truth is indeed stranger
than fiction, and this adage is illustrated by we'll
known facts i'll regard to the compromise act, which
was hailed with JOY by all because it probably saved
the Union from dissolution. But did the South
proht by 1t! | say no, because il is proved by
ngures mat Tor the last eight years of its existence
the average prices Of the leading articles manufac-
tured from cotton were at least twenty per cent.
gner tnan tie average prices for three years fol-
lowing the passage Of the tariff of lS42-that on
pressiue, pt,o,dering bill, which, without auy res.
son whatever will, fear disturb the present tram
qu,llity and prosperity of the Confederacy ! fear
IT, because 1t Is given out in the organ of the Adj
ministraton that the Secretary of the Treasury i
collecting information, with the view, suppose. Of
presenting to the next Congress tariff bill of his
own handiwork. This is indeed considerate IN the
Secretary but will he seek information from both
the opponents and advocates Of the protective poll
CIV Reuo himself onnosed In ,ar;J., In / !.
send out interrogatores chiefly to his own political
friends, and will not their suit his purpose
precisely! No doubt about it ; and |, who do not
know the honorable Secretary save by newspaper
report, predict that his plan will approximate 10
free trade, which is repudiafed by the residue Of
the world.
Commercial and financial revulsions are ugly
things, as were by figures established in a previous
article; but fuctuatng duties on imports are terri
bic. The importer, the manufacturer, the planter
farmer, and indeed all hands, want permanently, and