The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-03-24
THE GALAXY.
MIDDLEBURY. VT.
Tuesday, March "a, 1916.
MR.. LAWRENCE'S SECOND LET
TER


When the country is threatened with the
substitution of r ruinous free trade policy in
the place Of a system of protection to domes-
tic industry, which has brought this nation
into its present pal,ny state ofthrift and pros
periiy, we imagined we could publish nothing
more interesting to oui readers than the Sec
ond letter of Mr.. Abbott Lawrence TO Mr..
Rives. so far as it relates to the Tariff MIR
Lawrence is to be ranked as second TO no
man in the Union in his know ledge ofpoliti-
cal economy. lie has long been personally
interested in manufacturing establishments,
and keen and attentive observer of The force
Of the numerous causes which may affect
Inc industrial interests of the country in all
the various branches of business pursuits.
Some artful demagogues are attempting
to weaken the salutary influences which. the
enlarged and sstatesmanlike views of Mr.
Lawrence are likely TO exert upon our agri-
cultural community, by representing him as
a rich manufacturer, and therefore unworthy
their confidence. Bat that he has been sue
cessfu as practical manufacturer is the very
reason why we should allow the greater
weight to his opinions, especially if he is will
ling TO enlshten us into the causes which
have so eminentIy contributed to his own
success. How much more valuable is such
instruction than the theoretical speculations
of multitudes ofmcn in.Consress who seem
10 be about as ignorant of the true sources OF
national wealth and prosperity as the cabinet
of the Sultan Of Muscat
We most sincerely regret tina; The Uey-
bridge Farmer in venting his spite against
the present tariff could not have omitted TO
sneer at the first cable letter. Of Mr.. La@-
renee, and could find no better motives for
his epistoary effort in favor Of this tariff. than
he derives from the probably utterly ground
less insinuation, that Dir. l.. has the control
of twenty thousand sheep Oh the savannahs Of
South America. But it is far easier TO rail
than to reason. and 10 lmpu;e bad motives 10
weaken arguments, which there is no wish to
comprehend.
| If the present movement against the Act
OF 1912 shall succeed, in accordance with
Mr.. Walkers plan, il must be followed soon
by counter movement if not on the part
OF the people. the Government itself will rec
ommend il, for Revenue.
II may be truly asserted that the coarse
Cotton fabrics, such as are worn by the Ia
boring classes, are sold here as cheap as in
England or iE any part of the world. OF
course there is no further burden inn osed on
the consumers ol this description OF home
made goods. II has been said that the exist
ing duties on Cotton goods prevent the i'm
portaiions of almost every kind. This is so
Tar from the iact that for The last three years
the amount of Cotton, and mixed cotton and
worsted fabrics, printed and plain, imported,
have been larger than in former years, hav-
ing ranged from 100000 10 $1,000 600.
This large amount is oil the finer descrip-
tions and such as are worn by the fasliisn-
able and rich. We shall continue TO import
largely OF these luxuries, so long as our peo-
| pie have surplus means 10 expend in dress :;
and the permanent revenue, under the pres
| ent system will be much greater than under
that proposed by the Secretary of the Treas
ury.
The question has often been asked, why
not reduce the duties OIL Cottons. If you can
sell them so lew? answer, that The duly
now is nearly imperative, entirely so, on
some kinds, such, for example, as are export
ed in large quantities. IL the duties were
reduced materially on The coarse goods.
should interpose no objection, provided AM
| pie protection was maintained on the mid
| ding and fine qualities. This is matter TO
to be carefully arranged by practical men.
We have nop certainly nothing 10 fear in
the manufacture Of Yarn as high as No. IA
so far we can go on without protection.
but the higher numbers require protection
and it should be specific duty. The Law.
as il now stands, although imperative OF
coarse clolf, gives confidence 10 the invest
ment ofcapi.aL in machinery for the manu-
| facture of finer fIbrics,-in fact, very large
amount is already invested in Mills, which
produce yarns and cloths az high as No. GO.
| Without protection and that in tie form o.
specific duties, there will be no increase of
machinery adapted 10 the middling and fine
fabrics. The great amount of printed Cali
GOES require protection, and will suffer Sc
verely without il. | will not dwell o1ger on
| this subject of Cotton. ] trust have pre-
sented facts enough 10 satisfy the Cotton
| Planter, that his interests have been promot-
ed by creating another market. and large
one loo, for the spinning Of his staple. We
actually consume (wear) more pounds OF
cotton in this country than in Great Britain
since nearly more than two thirds Of the
quantity spun in that country is exported in
the form of yarns and cloth. We work up
more than France, and quite as much as
100000 of Germans. Our consuming a
hiIiiy ofthis, and OF all other comforts of title.
is beyond that of any other equal number
of persons OF any other country, and live
times as great as that of Russia.
Tie factories ofonly Massachusetts and
ncighboring State, spin annually 10000
bales ofcotton