Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-04-30
- NATIONAL FAIR AT WASHINGTON.

sr>- NATIONAL FAIR AT WASHINGTON.
We have received a printed circular from the
Trustees Of the American Institute Of the City
OF New York, warmly recommending to all the
friends Of industry to cooperate in carrying on,
the proposed exhibition of Domestic manufac-
tares at Washington in May next. The friends
and patrons Of the Institute arc specially and
earnestly en.reated to make the Fair what ii
ehouid be--"an exhibition that will rouse the
pride and warm the patriotism of every Ameri-
con beholder in and out of Congress. Cir
cular says:
The Trustees, on behalf of the Institute, re-
gard such an exhibition il ably conducted, at the
Seat OF Government, in view oil our Representa-
lives and distinguished Statesmen from the
South and West well as the North and East,
at this time, Of vast consequence TO the future
prospects Of this country. 1t will bring directly
10 the view Of our Statesmen matter OF fact ev-
dence of the rapid march and high perfection of
manufactures and the arts under the system of
Protection which has been adopted! 1t will
show that in the short period of thirty years
American ingenuity and skill have accomplished
what has required centuries i'm other countries,
and If the same wise policy enjoined by WASH
tngton and his illustrious successors is steadily
pursued, will ensure our future prosperity and
independence.
The progress of improvement has been so ra-
pid that few even in the manufacturing portions
of the country have adequate idea of its pre-
sent magnitude. The annual product. and the
high perfection of those articles which the wis
dom of legislation has shielded from foreign
compeutlon, would be incredible, were they not
confined by careful comparison and indisputa-
Ole statistics. From long list of hundreds we
shall select only six, viz manufactures Of Cot
ton, Wool, Leather, Paper, Cabinet Wares, and
Iron, all which, from comparatively small begin
nings, now yield more than One Hundred and
Fifty Millions of Dollars per annum, and are in
creasing in ratio that has parallel in the
history of industry.
This mighty increase, far out-strippipp our
whole foreign trade, with the exception OF the
finer cotton goods only partially benefited by the
minimum duty and the supply of which foreign
competition has thus far rendered insignificant
all these for series of years have been protected
by duty averaging forty per cent. The secret
OF their success, and acknowledged perfection is
protection against the inundating supplies which
foreign countries would otherwise have poured
into our markets. CHEAP, cheap, indeed, in the
outset, but dear in the end. We might, however.
dispense with all speculation and argument, and
rest our country's cause upon a single fact.
Erery article ,chich can be manufactured at home and
schtch has received protective duty for sere consecu
tire gears, has by home compcon and CONSEQUENT de-
veopment Of ingenuity alone been reduced in prce 10
ne consumer befoio The foreign cost at the time of i'm
posing the dtty.
This fact we believe is without an exception
since the formation of our Government While
other articles only partially protected, such as
Linen, fine Cotton goods, &C., have remained,
some nearly stationary in their prices for long
series OF years; if their prices have materially
declined, 1t has not been at all proportional TO
the decline on the protected classes of articles
Inc difference to our country, whether made at
home or abroad, admits Of no mistake. In one
case the money expended in fabricating remains
IN our own country--n the other it is taken
out of it.