The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-08-21


next period is l843 and the last lS45afer the tar
i'll had been in operation about three years.
| And what was the result Why, there was
falling off in tho consumption of three articles from
1912 TO l845, one increased and three remained tn
same. The lnteigencer says that the subject o
cotton manufactures is of SURPRISING interest 4
! the grower of cotton" &c. But how is Il proceed
Certainly not by the increased consumption at Low
ell The amount consumed is 9, l96, 900 pounds les
in l643 than in l642, and 4,6S6, 900 pounds less il
l845 than in 1912. Much importance Is attached to
the vast and increased consumption OF starch In tn,
manufacturing establishments, yet the amount used
at Lowell during the three years did not increase.
The ground assumed by those Who advocate the
restrictive system is, tariff for protection, designed
either to exclude the foreign article, or to raise the
price so much, by adding high duty to It's original
cost that the farmer cannot purchase ~ and thus
force him, by legislation, to buy OF the American
manufacturer. Their position means this, or il
means nothing.
4 Now, Mr.. Chairman, when their propositions are
thus plainly stated and understood, the inquiry arr
SEES, Is 1t founded in justice and fair DEALING Sup
pose the State of Tennessee should enact law the
effect Of which would be 10 prevent the farmer from
purchasing any fabric without the limits Of that
State, and should disregard the assertion that goods
could be purchased cheaper in Kentucky, New York
or New Orleans, assigning a reason for thus fore
ing trade into particular channels, paat by adhe-
renee TO this policy, msaufscturlsg Embellishments
lcompetuon, the farmer would get home market
without the trouble Of going 10 New Orleans, and
the citizens of the State would become prosperous
happy, and rich, by trading with each other. Follow
ing up this "wise and statesmanke policy, imagine
that the manufacturers of the county of Davidson in
Tennessee, should consider themselves authorized
TO force the farmers OF hat county TO purchase all
their articles from them, and the same objection
should be raised by the farmer that he could make
better bargains in New Orleans or New York. He
is again COMPOUNDED with the argument that al
Though they cannot now Manufacture cheap as
the citizens Of other States, yet by receiving ZEN
erous protection for term Of years. competition will
spring up, prices will be reduced, and then the
farmers Of Davidson will find home market, pros
perity will reign throughout the country, and her
citizens will become oontened and wealthy, by ira
ding with each other.
i Again, Mr.. Chairman, suppose an old patriarch,
the father Of many children should coeci them to-
gether, to give advice well matured and counsel the
result ofmuch reflection. He informs them that the
cultivation of the soil is the natural occupation of
man, but that they would become more independent
and happy IL portion would turn their attention to
manufacturing, thus furnishing for the rest home
market The objection is raised that they prefer the
cultivation of their soil to the heated and unwhoe-
some atmosphere Of factory or a workshop; and
that their neighbors are already engaged in that bu
slness, afording them opportunity to exchange
their surplus produce for manufactured goods. But
the patriarch insists that, although for period the
nx would be somewhat burdensome to those who
continued the cultivation of the SOIL yet the result
would be independence, prosperity, home market
all flowing from this trade with each other.
Mr.. Chairman, how absurd would such policy
be thought if adopted by State, county, or the
head Of family; and yet it is unjust and absurd
when carried out in practice by the government of
this country.
/ farmer may wish to purchase at New Orleans
1 or New York, goods manufactured in Europe: why
should the government step in and prevent him, un-
der the plea that by obstructng his wishes in this
particular, manufactures will spring up, and after
lapse Of years he can purchase similar articles in his
own country Why should the government force
him to purchase at one place, when he desires to
purchase another One assigned is, that it
will make US, as a nation, independent Of foreign
powers. 1t should not he forgotten that this is done
by sacrificing that independence and freedom Of
ton which is the boast of the citizen.
i Before leaving this branch ofthe subject, it may
be proper to refer to the interest involved in this
struggle for free trade against protcctye tariff
have obtained estimates from Tia, most reliable
sources; and although they may not be strictly ac-
curate 1 think they may be relied upon for ali prac-
teal illustrations.
Amount Of capital invested in agriculture 1900 600
Amount ofeapital invested in manufactures ,., -.
Annual products of agricultural interests oOC
Annual value Of all kinds Of manufactures, - 49,
cost Of raw material and labor included 1000 900
While the agricultural interest so greatly FREEDOM.
mates, it certainly should not be disregarded.
! D. l2-BALANoE OF TRADE.
The opponents of the protective policy not UNI
frequently refer to the balance of trade between this
and foreign countries, and insist that it is evil
dence of prosperity if the balance il in favor in
trading with all the powers of the earth. This is
probably more than ought to desire, or can ex-
pect to accomplish. If they could carry out their
designs, it would be no evidence of substantial pros
perity. ~.
i we may become indebted to China for tea, to the
East Indies for spices, and to France for silks. We
pay this debt off with the balance coming to us from
England. The balance may be against us in trad
ing with one country, and for us in trading with
another--all resulting in fair and equitable ex.
change of our productions for theirs. #au'.
II There have been found in all ages and in all coun-
tries interested persons, who have predicted fghtu
ruin as the consequence of free trade resulting as
they insist, from an unfaverable balance of trade
They have sought eagerly to receive, from COM
mercia intercourse with other powers, profits total
y inconsistent with common honesty. To overreach
foreign traders has been considered laudable; and
| instead of creating modification, they chuckle as
they return with their igotten booty. Such course
would stamp az nation of swindlers, instead of a
people proud Of good name. " sa.#
i No country with such q vast annual produce as
this ever would have cause to fear the result of free
trade. If our resources were small-f we had little
| more than was necessary for our own consumption
lit would be otherwise. But while year after year
there il pouring from every hill and valley through
out this confederacy our ''surpus produce" to ex.
change for the necessaries and luxuries of the Old
World, we have no reason to dread the most unre-
strcted commerce. .sa
4 The balance of produce and consumption is alto
gether different question. The amount Of produc-
lon may decrease while its consumption increases
resulting in disaster and wretchedness. To Illus
trate, we will suppose that the United States in
creases in population until they number one hun
dred millions of inhabitants. If the production re-
NAMED stationery, the result would be poverty
and want, only equalled by mental and physical i'm
beclity. ta.I u# ra,#
i The production of the whole world, through the
Incidence gifts inhabitants, might become less than III
consumption, ending in the same results. But where
the production is equal, or more than its consump
ton, nation will remain prosperous.
i state of facts may arise when what is called
the balance of trade is against people, and the
balance of produce and consumption remain in it
II favor. #...H.
Suppose, Mr.. Chairman--to put strong case
a nofto f,ro NH NJ