Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-08-21
For The ENQUIRER,

For The Enquirer.
Among the many able efforts made by The ad-
yoca,es of free trade during the late Tariff dis
cussion in The House OF Representatives, that OF
the Representative from the metropolitan district
OF Virginia deservedly occupies high position ;
cyincirg throughout grasp OF intellect and Com
pfchensiveness oi views which place IL author
among The great statesmen OIL The age. Mr.. SEQ
don dissecls, with master hand, The whole reVe-
nue. systc;n-cyposes in all their deiorlnily the
unnatural cxcrescences which have sprung from
us diseased condition, and shows, with The clear
ness of mathematical demonstration, that by their
amo;ion only, and careful avoidance ci all po-
litical empiricsm for the future, can the system
he restored 10 lis proper symmetry o! form and
healthiul vigor OF action. For its profound poll
Iical philosophy, and ls deep research, this
.neech deserves 10 be carefully studied by every
citizen really DESTROYS Of becoming acquainted
with the interesting subject discussed. The ca
sua reader would, perhaps, overlook many OF lis
excelIenccs; but he who shall examine il closely
will perceive and appreciate, in all their force lis
great and fundamental truths. lie will be cen
winged. by facts and gumenls strong and irrefu
table that The amount of duty upon Imports ne
ces.ary Tor the purposes Of revenue, when placed
upon \ ius ard equal basis, will ever afford am-
ME encoura eernen. 10 snch manufactures as may
he required By the circumstances and CONDITION
of the country and, rs iar corollary, that II y
neither wis. nor rcli!ic Ia force others INTO pre-
mature existence by The hct-hed system Of partial
legislation.
As specimen OF his style, would direct at
ention To The following arhmeiical picture Of The
revenue and protective systems, unrivalled per-
haps by any thing during the discussion, Tor lis
concentrated force and episramalic point:
"Proleclion aims at bounies 10 classes, not
contribution to the Government. Revenue de-
mands admission Of imports as free as may BE-
under the least duly. Protection demands excu
sion, either total or partial. Revenue duties in
v,e competition from home and abroad. Proec-
lion seeks not iair competition, but creates mono
poly, as !ull and complete as The necessity cl re-
Ycnne will allow"
He exposes The prevailing fallacy, that much
the greater number bu.h in extent and value oil
the manufacturing and other protected interests,
have originated and are sustained by The proec-
tive system, and shows, by well-authentcated sta
tis,cs that the relative value ofthose interests in
proportion 10 the population of the county, was
much greater prior to the introduction OF that
system than il has been since. He points out The
causes which now give, and must necessarily
continue 10 give, the foreign factor and producer.
for many years, a decided advantage over those
of our country in the supply Of given class OF
force their production here by means of The pro-
eclive system, will "reqaire constant conlribu.
ton exlorled irom all other productive Industry,
In keep men dclr'pg array al losing business,
10 support atproft empioyments raich cann0t sup
part Menseluss'-and in reference 10 other arti-
cles of manufacture or production, he shows il 10
lie equally clear that protective duties can only be
injurious to both consumer anG PRODUCER 10 the
former on account Of The additional price he would
have 10 pay, and 10 The latter by reason OF The vast
increase Of domestic competition called into be-
ing by the uncertain and deceptive lure OF high
profits thus presented causing an amount OF pro-
duciion wholly disproportioned 10 the wants OF
The country, and as necessary consequence Ie-
jucing The profits below the proper relative Stand
ard
Hc exposes the merelricions connection be-
tween The protective and banking systems Of our
country. and portrays, with a truly graphic pencil
the bsneful influence upon all the great interests
OF The country which flows from tina, connection.
To attempt review OIL This able speech, even
in the most cursory manner, would extend this
communication 10 100 great length. My object
is merely to direct The attention OF the public 10
it, and bespeak careful perusal, well convinced
that all who do SO will be more than compensa-
ted for their trouble, and will have spen, an hour
not unproflably. VlRGlNluS.