Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-12-09

But this the foreign producer cannot afford.
The duty, therefore, must be added to the price
and paid by the consumer--thc duty constitu-
ting as much part oi price as the cost of pro-
duction.
Ii ii be true that, when duty of forty per
cent. is imposed by our tariff the foreign pro-
Queer first deducts the duty from the previous
price ON the sale To our merchant, il must be
equally true with duty of one hundred per
cent. which is exactly equal TO the previous
price, and when deducted would reduce the
price To nothing.
The occasional fall in price of some articles
alter tariff, Is no proof that this was the ef-
teci oi the tariff; because, from improved ma
chlncry, diminished prices OF the raw mate
rial, or other causes, prices may fall even af-
ter tariff, but they would in such cases have
fallen much more but for the tariff The tru-
est comparison is between the present price
OF the same article at home and abroad; and
to tie extent that tho price is lower in the for
elSn market than III our own, the duty, il G.
quail TO that difference, must TO that extent en-
nance the price, and in the same ratio with
the lower duty. The difference in price at
home aud abroad is generally about equal TO
the difference IN the cost OF production, and
presents, in a series of years the surcst nm .as-
ure OF the effect of duty--the enhancement i'm
price being equal to that difference il the duty
be higher than that difference or equal to it,
or II the duty be lower, then the enhancement
rs equal TO the duty; and if the article is pro-
duced like cotton, more chcaply here than a
broad, the duty is imperative The great ar
Sument Tor the tariff is, that, foreign labor be-
ing cheaper than our own, the cost of foreign
( production, IT rs said, is lesscncd TO that ex-
tent; and that we must make up this differ
encc by an equivalent duty, and correspon-
ding enhancement OF price, in our own mar
ket, both OF the foreign article and of its rival
domestic product-thus rendering the duty
tax on all consumers, for the benefit of the
protected classes. If the Marshal were sent
by the federal government to collect a direct
tax upon the whole people, to be paid over
TO manufacturing capitalists to enable them
10 sustain their business, or realize q larger
proht, IT would be the same in effect as the
protective duty, which, when analyzcd i'm its
simplest clements and reduced TO actual re-
suits, IS mere satisfaction of so much mon
ey from the people, to increase the revenues
oil the protected classes. Legislation for clas-
ses Is against the doctrines of equal rights.
and rePugnant to the spirit of our free institu-
tons, and, it is apprehendcd by many, may
become but another form for privileged orders,
under The name OF protection, instead of priv
/ liege-indicated here not BY rank or title, but
by profits and dividends, extracted from the
many, by taxes upon them, for the benefit of
the few. No prejudice is felt by the Sccre-
tary oil the Treasury against manufacturers
HIS opposition is to the protective system
and not To classes or individuals He doubts
not that the manufacturers are sincerely per-
suaded that the system which is d source of so
much profit to them, is beneficial also TO the
country. He entertains contrary opinion,
and claims Tor the opponents of the system a
settled conviction of its injurious Effects
Whilst a due regard to the just and equal rights
OF all classes forbids discrimination i'm favor
oil the manufacturers, by duties above the low
est revenue limit, no disposition is felt to dis
eliminate against them by reducing such du-
ties as operate in their favor below that STAN
dard.
Under revenue duties, it is believed, they
would still receive reasonable profit-cqual
10 that realized by those engaged in other pur-
suits, and IL is thought they should desire no
more, at least through the agency of COVER
mental power. Equal rights and profits,
so lar as laws are made, best conform to
the principles upon which the constitution
was founded, and with an undertaking regard
| to which all its functions should be exercised
looking to the whole country, and not tn
classes or sections.
Soil, climate, and other causes, vary very
much in different countries, the pursuits
which are most profitable IN each and the
prosperity OF all OF them will be best promoted
by leaving them unrestricted by legislation,
TO ey change with each other those fabrics and
products which they severally raise most
cheaply. This is clearly illustrated by the
perfect free trade which exists among all the
States of the Union, and by the acknowledged
fact that any one of these States would be IN
Jured by imposing duties upon the products
OF the Others. Ii is generally conceded that
reciprocal Tree trade among nations would best
advance the interest OF all. But ii is conten-
ded we must meet the tariffs of other nations
by countervailing restrictions. That duties
upon our exports by foreign nations are pre-
Judicial To us, is conceded; but whilst this in
jury Is slightly felt by the manufacturers, its
weight lalls almost exclusively upon agricu-
ture, commerce and navigation. If these in
terests which sustain the loss do not ask coun-
tervalling restrictions, it should not be de
manded by the manufacturers, who do not
ieel the injury, and whose fabrics in fact, are
not excluded by the foreign legislation of
which they complain. That agriculture com
rnerce and navigation are injured by foreign
| restrictions, constitutes no reason why they
should be subjected to still severer treatment
by additional restrictions and countervailing
tariffs enacted at home. Commerce, agricul-
ture, and navigation, barassed as they NAV be
by foreign restrictions, diminishing the a
mount OF exchangeable products which they
could otherwise purchase abroad, are burden
ed with heavier impositions at home Nor
will augmented duties here lead to a reduc-
ton of foreign tariffs; but the reverse, by fur
nishing the protected classes there, with the
identical argument used by the protected elias
ses here against reduction. BY countervailing
restrictions, we iDjure our fellow citizens much
more than the foreign nation at W HON we pur-
pose to aim their force; and in the conflicts of
opposing tariffs, we sacrifice our own COM
merce, agriculture and navigation. As well
might we impose monarchica or aristocratic
restrictions OH our govemmc mt or people be-
cause that is the course Of foreign legislation.
Let our commerce be as free as our political
institutions. Let us, with revenue duticson
ly, open our ports to all the world, and nation
after nation will soon follow our example,
IL we reduce our tariff, the party opposed to
the corn laws ol En1Ianl ,,.,,,il - -