The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-23
From the Charleston Evening News.
DUTIES OF THE FREE-TRADE PARTY,

The duties Of the free-trade party at the ap-
preaching session Of Congress will Be of an i'm
portant and arduous character. In its previous la
bors, it has done battle bravely in generalities-
fought out, with unfnching courage, the great fight
Of commercial freedom, on theoretical grounds
been valiant on philosophical prnciples-exhibitcd
true championship in defending the legitimate laws
Of trade; whilst their adversaries have display ed
higher discipline and more cunning strategy in
debate--have not assailed their opponents in the
mpregnable strength of their principles, but at
tempted TO weaken their position by attacks in de-
tail. To speak without figure, the free traders in
Congress have been content with all the lights that
can be borrowed from study and meditation--from
historical truh-from standard authority--from vol
luminous statistics. They have tricked ont, in the
colors of bright rhetoric, the benefits and bless
ings Of commercial liberty; they have denounced,
in tones of bitter invectve, the injustice and de-
pored in pathetic strains the popular hardships Of
restrictions limiting the commercial intercourse of
nations. They have collected the best materials
from books, and combined them in the best man
ner in good set argumentative harangues on the cap
tivating theme of free trade In one word, they
have made brilliant orations where practical truth
or has proved too powerful
for philosophical deduction, and the most undenia-
BILE reasoning on abstract principles.
How often have we aeen in the reports Of con-
gressional debates the advantage Of that mode Of
controversial argument which coTnbas general truth
by special pleading on particulars, which dispIa0eS
the most rrefragable theories by an ingenious array
of factswhich 10 ever ready to oppose to the lore
Of gifted minds the truths Of homely experienced
How often have we peruscd the most conclusive
anti-tari speech of the day in Congress- beautifully
illustrating principles, and trumphantly combating
prejudices, and regretted TO perceive that after the
apparently successfu orator had taken his seat his
tariff opponent, rising on his legs, and showing by a
plausible statement Of particulars that the unmod-
tied conclusions Of his adversary were subject 10
important exceptions and limitations, which had
been overlooked in the argument!
We have thus remarked the fairest rhetorical
structure demolished, not from the want Of solidty
in the foundations, or strength and adhesive virtue
in the Materials but the absence Of practical skill in
the architect. Il IL here the ffee-irade advocates
have given the vantage ground in debate to their ops
ponents. Il is here these opponents exhibited that
training in the knowledge and application of Details
which conferred on them decisive superiority
mngling such portions Of their theoretical informa-
ton Is useful in discussion with the knowledge
supplied, in sny amount, by intercourse with mas
ter manufacturers--wi merchants--with crafts
men, with all the industrial orders Of society. We
are, therefore, glad to perceive that ee-trade
friends preparing for the approaching struggle in
the only mode that promises success in such legisa-
tive conaicts--that they are arming themselves for
the battle with weapons from the armory Of expert
ence--that they are collecting information of prac-
teal exploring oil sources Of knowledge
for useful illustration sitting facts dgestng details
arranging and combining thSir materials, so as to
present body Of wellprcpared experimental knowl-
edge. This will place them at least on level with
their adversaries.
To this necessary discipline in what is practical
and available in legislation, should he combined an
extra Legislative delegation at the scat of govern
ment every way competent there to represent the |
interests Of the ffeetrade party--not engaging in
the foul practices Of lobby legisaton--not traick-
ing in votes or engaging in the corrupt barter of