The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-16

governments and laws of which, growing up from
their birth in the feudal ages, during centuries OF
bigotry intolerance tyranny, and ignorance, down
to periods Of iberay and intelligence, were eonse.
quently incompatible with equal justice, personal
| liberty, and sound principles
But with all these lights and advantages to guide
them and having free course before them errone-
Gus views of commercial legislation arose out of the
very principles of independence which they de.
clared. Men of moderate ambition and frugal hab-
its, like Washington and many others, entertained,
with no doubt pure Intentions the idea that in or
der to be perfectly independent, they must produce
at home everything required for food raiment shell
ter, convenience, and luxury. This falacous prin-
eipe has hitherto PREVAILED but we believe cannot
be very long continued
Gas early as August i4th, l774, a convention was
held in Virginia and resolutions were passed, sign
ed by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and
other statesmen, as follows:
"'We do hereby resolve and declare that we will
not, either directly indirectly import from Great
Britain any goods wares, or merchandise, nor any
of her manufactures. We will turn our attention
from the cultivation of tobacco to the cultivation Of
such articles as may form basis for domestic man
uiactures, which we will endeayor TO encourage
throughout this colony to the utmost OF our abll-
ties "
This declaration, il must be remembered, was d-
reced against England in order to diminish her
ufactures and trade and consequently her meanG of
coercing the colonies far more than for protection
to home manufactures. For there was no prohibit
ton Of goods from Saxony, France or other coun-
tries, which could send manufactures TO America.
II is also remarkable fact, that when ylruous
and, in other respects, great man, like Washing
ton, delivers a fallacious and, at the same time,
specious opinion, such blunder will be thousand
times more pernicious, than if pronounced by aprof
lgate IN power
General Washington, Ia his message in 1889, rec.
ommended to Congress the encouragement Of maui
features, in the following words;
"Congress have repeatedly, and not without sue
cess, directed their attention TO the encouragement
Of manufactures. The object is of too much conSe-
quence not TO insure continuance of their efforts, in
every way that shall appear eligible. Ought our
country to remain dependent on foreign supply pre-
carous because liable to be interrupted If the ne
cessary article should, in this mode, cost more in
time Of peace, will not the security and independ-
ence thence arising form an ample compensation :"
We do not, however, find Washington recon-
mending high protecting duties or prohibition. We
would argue the contrary from the following max
inns, in his parting address, retiring from public
life
"Observe good faith (says hey and justice towards
all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.
Religion and morality enjoin this conduct; and can
It be that good policy does not equally enjon IL Ii
will be worthy Of free, enlightened, and, at dis
lant period, great nation, TO give to mankind the
and too novel example of people
always guided by an exalted justice and benevo-
lence."
"In the execution of such plan, nothing is more
essential than that permanent lnyeterate antpathies
against particular nations, and passionate attach
ments for Others should be excluded; and that, in
the place of Them just and amicable feelings towards
all should be cultivated"
'The great rule of conduct for us in regard 10
foreign nations is, in extending commercial rela
ions have with them little political conAexion
as possible. So far as we have already formed en-
gagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good
faith. Here let us stop"
alt is true policy to steer clear of permanent
alliances with any portion of the foreign world so
far mean as we are now at liberty TO do it; for let
me not be understood capable OF patronlzing in
fidelity to existing engagements. hold the maxim
no less applicable TO public than to private affairs
that honesty is always the best policy. | repeat,
therefore, let those engagements be observed in their
genuine sense. But, in my opinion, it is unneces-
sary and would be unwise to extend them"
Harmony and a liberal intercourse with all ma
tons are recommended by policy humanity, and
interest. But even our commercial policy should
hold an equal and impartial hand; neither seeking
nor granting exclusive favors or preferences; con-
sulung the natural course of things; dffusing and
diversifying by gentle means the stream Of com.
merce, but forcing nothing; establishing with pow
ers disposed I'm order to give trade stable course
TO define the rights of merchants, to enable the
government to support them) conventional rules OF
the best that present circumstances and
natural opinion will permit, but temporary and LA
Die to be from time TO time abandoned or varied as
experience and circumstances shall dctate constant.
y keeping in view that it is folly in one nation to
ook for disinterested favors from another-hat il
must pay with portion of its independence for
hate ~ hat hot
by such acceptance it may place itself in the condi
ion Of having given equivalents for nominal favors,
md yet of being reproached with ingratitude for not
having given more. There can be no greater error
han to expect calculate upon real favors from
ion to nation. 1t is an illusion which experience
must cure, which just pride ought to discard"
President Jackson, in his message as late as the
th Of December, 1888, on abiding to the prosper
us trade of the country and to the relations of
america with foreign courts-observes:
"This desirable state of things may he mainly as
rbed to our undertaking practice of the rule which
las long guided our national policy-'to require no
Exclusive privileges and to grant nome
"Nor have we less reason to fellcitate ourselves
N the position of our political than of our CONNER
ial concerns. They remain in a state Of prosperity
nd peace-the effect of wise attention to the part
ng advice of the revered Father of his Country
Washington on this subject condensed into a
maxim for the use of posterlty, by one of his most
islingushed successors-'to cultivate free com
,erce and honest friendship with all nations and to
1ake entangng alliances with none.'
Mr.. Macgregor then proceeds to quote from the
pinions of Messrs. Madison and Jefferson, not
llecting that when one of the bills of denominations
nd the gigantic system Of protection began to loom
ut in some of its deformities Mr.. Jefferson thus
poke of the measure
"Take together the decisions of the federal
ourt the doctrines of the President, and the miscon
tructions of the constitutional compact acted on by
ne legislature of the federal branches, and il is but
20 evident that the three ruling branches of that de-
artment are in combination to strip their colleagues
ne State authorities, of the powers reserved by
nem and to exercise themselves all functions foreign
nd domestic. Under the power to regulate COM
nerce, they assume indefinitely that also over agr
ulture and manufactures, and call 1t regulation to
AXE the earnings of one of those branches Of indus
ry, and that, too, the most depressed, and put
hem into the pockets Of the other, the most -four
,hing of all Under the authority to establish post
Dads, they claim that of cutting down mountains
Or the construction of roads, and digging canals,
nd, aided by little sophistry, on the words gen