The daily union., 1846-06-27

the fact still remains for my own benefit and
that OF others.
Indeed sir ifmen, instead of king for absruse and
rfetched for disbelieyng their own senses;
II men had been content TO see with their eyes, ana
hear with their ears and feel with their hands, IN
stead OF putting themselves under the guidance OF
honest theorists and dishonest demagogues, there
would never have been dispute that, as whole,
a most wise, economical, prudent, wel-arranged
system of financial and protective policy Is now
ex sting in this country. No man would know that
he was oppressed by the protective policy, unless
he was told so by some politician. II would be a
cause of profound rejoicing if there were as much
honesty and prudence in disbursing the revenues
there is wisdom in the system of collecting
them.
But, sir, there is a still graver question, and one
which lies at the very root OF the whole matter.
The system is truly and emphaucally the "Amerl-
can system" and there are some enlarged views
which, as lovers Of our country are rare and de-
serving of the first consideration. The experiment
we are trying is a great experiment The people
here are literally, and strictly, and according 10 the
fundamental law Of the land, the souereigns OF the
country; and precisely according to the character
of the people will be the character Of the govern
ment of this country. IL ls then, necessary that the
people of this country should be superior in educa-
ton and character TO those under any other form Of
government better clad and better fed, and more
Independent in their circumstances than IN other ma
tions. Our laborers the land, and in the work
shop, and in the mill, and everywhere, must be
elevated in their position than IN any other ma
lion. My honorable friend from Virginia, lMr.
BAYLY the other day, quoted from MIR, Burke in
opposition TO the aterchosen opinions of the squTes
Of Norfolk, the just remark that "labor is a
commodity like any other, and rises and falls
according TO the demand" The Secretary OF
the Treasury seems to have adopted the opin-
ion, on this subject, Of the NOdok squres,
and his whole report has quite an after
decisive character. But, sir, this principle is of
undoubted soundness. II you establish perfect free
trade throughout the world and with the very great
facility Of intercourse existing and increasing,
matter Of course you equalze the price oflabor
throughout the world. Now, sir, we cannot afford
TO odo this; our laborers have too important share
in this government for US TO be willing TO put them
| on par with the laborers Of other nations. We
cannot afford to put our good things into common
stock with the other ess favored nations Of the
earth. The lapse of many years may bring about,
from the increase Of our population and ngress
from abroad, reduction in the wages of labor, but
il becomes not to hasten that evil day by eapng
once into the abyss which might prove of ma
tional ruin.
But have not time to enlarge upon this most
| fertile theme nor can dwell as | would willingly,
upon the argument derived from the experience OF
other nations and other ages, to show that peO-
pie was ever great and prosperous which was not a
manufacturing people, and that agricultural nations
have been lnconcevably poor. Nor can !, as
would desire to do, enlarge upon the importance of
this system to independence nation, and
the necessity Of the system IN time Of war.
Ii seems TO that every one loving his country,
unaffected by prejudice, and who has no theory TO
embarrass him, must rejoice at the immensely
wealthy productions of our artisans and operatives,
and that must be with glow Of patriotic pride that
they witness the samples of some of those manufac-
lures shown at the Fair in this city during the
last month.
know, sir, that some men affect to rise above
the attachments to favor and country, and disregard
the narrow principle of PATRIOTISM and claim equal
y TO love and labor for the whole human family. |
make no such claim. | love my country with all
her faults and admire the sentiment which can new
er be too often quoted, of that noble Scottish poet
Lives there with soul so dead,
Who to himself hath said
Ihis Is my own my native land"
And am always inclined to join in the impas-
stoned denunclauon Of the poet, which de clares
that the "wretch"-
LOUDLY dying shall go down
To the vile dust from whence he sprung,
Unwept unhonored, and unsung."
Mr.. BEDINGER then obtained the floor
And the committee rose and reported.
INDIAN APPROPRIATION BILL.
The House took up the report of the committee
of conference on this bill, and cOncuTred therein
Mr.. WHEATON, from the Committee on En-
rolled Bills, made a report.
And then the House adjourned.