Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-10-17
Restrictions upon Trade.

, and hourly observation. This appears the
more singular, when we sedect that every en-
frightened writer on the subject Of political O.
economy, from Adam Smith down to the pres
ent writing, has given his unqualified condem'
nation to the system, as we'll as his approval
of the doctrine of free trade. However harsh
it may be thought, We cannot but view the ad.
vocacy of the restrictive policy, whether in the
!; United States or in Europe..as the Tesul: ia
most cases Of deeply interested motives.s A
disposition on the part of one class or portion
Of the commonwealth, to legislate themselves
into wealth and power, at the expense of the
we'll being, and. in many instances, of the to.
tai rain Of other classes Of the community
Look, for instance, at the what is generally
termed the corn law system of England. In
that country. the Legislature is sovereign
That lie, it can make or unmake the Constitu-
ton. Well. The legislating portion of this
Legislature, if We may be pardoned the sole
clsm, consisting of the House of Commons
and the Chamber of Peers, lie composed, at
least three-fourths Of it, Of men who are iden-
tihed with, and who, from interest and prin.
ciple, represent the will and opinions of enc,
and one class only, of the people of England,
and that is the land holders, the land lords of
England. They, themselves, are land lords,
consequently their legislation all tends to the
benefit of their own class, no matter at what
expense and ruin to every other interest in the
community. Thus, although millions are
starving for bread. they will no, permit the ne
cessarles of life to be imported, unless duty,
which amounts almost TO prohibition, is first
paid by the importer. This is done IN order
to enhance the rent rolls of the class to which
they belong. For it cannot and does not BEN
eft the farmer, the worker of the soil. If he
gets an enormous price for his wheat, his bar
ley, and his pork, he has to pay proportion
ateIy enormous rent to my lord somebody, for
the acres he cultivates. The case is reversed
in the United States. Here. the greas agri-
cultural interest is taxed and ground down,
for the benefit Of the manufacturing class.
IN England. the operative manufacturers are
made to pay the land holders enormous boun.
ties. In the United States, the farmers of,
the country, the mechanics, in fact all classes
are compelled to pay tribute to the manufac.
turers. And when We take into consideration
the very small mum Der Of this latter class, and
the very unequal proportion which they bear
TO those who are taxed for their benefit, it !
must be matter of surprise how it has So
happened that they have been able to effect
and so long maintain the restrictive policy.
Free trade, so far as itcan be carried out. con.
slstentIy with an economical support of the
Federal government, should emphatcally be
The policy of the United States. Particularly
should the South. who is annually feeced and
ground dow:.in the dust by the misnamed pro-
'ective system, keep the free trade flag flying
at her masthead. In using the word free
Trade, let us not be misunderstood. We do
not mean by that, that our policy should be I
1irect taxation, and that We should abandon I
he plan OF collecting the revenues of the trea-
'ury, from duties imposed on foreign articles ,
imported into this country, We mean BY free
rade' that the amount OF duties imposed upon
articles imported into this country, should be
10 more than is absolutely necessary to sup
bort government, and that these duties should
De laid solely with view to collect revenue,
Ind not In any, ever the slightest degree, for !. .
he purpose of protecting, oHus beneftting,
my particular species of industry. Beyond
his, We want TO see trade as free as the winds
IT heaven. This is what we want, and this
s what the Constitution under which we live, I
its behests are obeyed by Congress, guar
mites to US. At present, we are groaning be-
'eath the incubus of monopoizing restrictions 3
imposed upon US by the wing Congress of =
-. On the floors Of the National, or rather
federal Legislature, the great question is to :
70 determined whether we are to groan on, or :
whether the commerce, agriculture, and the !,
Mechanical arts are to be disenthralled from
he shackles which at present are eating into
heir very vitals. We would conjure every 7
Democratic press from Maine to Louisiana. to d
ltt Its voice on this subject. Let those who
re to sit in judgment on this great question,
'ur Representatives and our Senators in Con. q
Iress, know what the voice Of the people de-
hands at their hands. Let them press and
'rge the matter. 1tis of vital Importance, and ,
low, We had almost said or never, is the time y
or its equitable arrangement. Shall we con- n
Inue the bonds men, the very vsssals of the a
No. We must and shall have
astice. Then strike. brethren Of the quill.-Ib
our power rs great, and it should be brought
0 bear. {
THE PACKET LINE. o