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

WHICH 4 dShtu inc lnlOrlnatOn contained In this
table, had fears that il would not strengthen my
posltlon-that is to say, apprehended that prices
prior TO the tariff of 1912 were little lower than
subsequent prices butto my surprise the fact is ti-
recty the reverse. What will some of my Southern
friends, who believe in Mr.. McDuffie's theories,
aud the forty-ball calculation, (which, by the way,
never could understand,l 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 distlnction-and | am proud of it, be-
cause OF early associations; but you do not appear
TO understand the operation of the tarif-tla is to
say, you denounce the protective policy without in
veshgahng IFS effect upon prices.
Some of you on the floor of Congress furiously
and Indignantly cry out, Oppression ~ !" The
North plundering the South!'' Now, will not saw
that all this is brum fttlmen but will prove by
figures, which do not lie, that there is no oppres
sion, no plundering. In previous number twas
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 our 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 sheetngs
average for three years prior to the passage of the
existing tariff fraction under cents ; and the
average ION the lst May) for the last three years is
exactly Ga cents. Heavy sheetngs averaged for
he prior years ~ cents, and for the last three wears
cents. Light shirtings averaged for the prior
years "a cents, and for the last three wears cents
Drlngs averaged for the prior years fraction over
q cents, and for the last three years fraction un-
der 81 cents. Here, then, il is made palpabe that
the tariff oil 1912 did not enhance the prices of do
nestle 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 the effect of this upon the ar
ilces now under consideration The average price
Of light sheengs for eight years prior to 1912 was
cents heavy sheetings lOi cents light shirtinps
cents; drillings cents. Truth is indeed stranger
man hcuon, and this adage is illustrated by we'll
known facts III regard to the compromise act which
was hailed with JOY by all because it probably saved
The Union from dissolution. But did the South
prom oy y! ! say no, because il is proved by
hgures that for the last eight wears of its existence
the average prices of the leading articles manufac
tured from cotton were at least twenty per cent.
higher than the average prices for three wears fol-
lowing The passage Of the tariff of IS42-that on,
pressure, phodering bill, which, without apy rea.
son whatever VIII, fear disturb the present tram
GUILTY. and prosperity Of the Confederacy. fear
IT. because It IS given out in the organ Of the Ad-
minlsraton 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
cy! Being himself opposed to tariffs, will he not
send out interrogaories chiefly to his own political
friends, and will not their answers suit his purpose
precisely! No doubt about it and I, who do moi
know the honorable Secretary save by newspaper
report, predict that his plan will approximate to
free trade, which is repudiated by the residue Of
the world.
Commercial and financial reyulsions are ugly
things, were by figures established in a previous
article but luctuang duties on imports are terri
ble The importer, the manufacturer, the planter
farmer, and indeed all hands, want permanency, and