Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-04-24
PROTECTION" AND WAR.

Some time since, We quoted some OF the Tariff
papers, as preerrins war 10 repca! Of the present
high protective system. They had taken the alb
surd and unwar:anlable ground, that Mr. Polk,
in order 10 secure peace and Oregon, had entered
in,o a virtual 'tascair" with Great Britain 10
surrender all ''protcc,ion" 10 the manufacturing
interest. The Democrats were denounced as
The British party" guilty Of bribing Eng land
with Free Trade, 10 secure Oregon on peaceful
terms. The Tariffi'es protested against such a
coalition" and openly avowed their preference
OF war TO such a sacrifice OF what they call "homc
industry"
The pro,cc.ioniss on This and The other side Of
The Atlantic are governed BY the same feelings
and policy. Rather than surrender The high duties
which they doa, upon, they would plunge ino the
horrors of war. Many are doubtless Influenced
BY The consideration that war would be better than
the highest protective duties. II cuts of all COM
merce and is therefore the bes, "protecion," be-
canse it is prohibitve.
In discussion in Parliamen! upon the reduc-
tion Of The duty on timber Lord G. Benlinck, a
leading pro'ecIionisl, avowed his preference Of
war 10 a repeal OF The restrictive system
Lord G. Ben,nck pointed out al great length the
injury which this resolution was calculated 10
inflcl UPON Canada. Orr Canadian belhren
had reason u be ala med, and were alarmed, al
The mere proposition OF this reduction. Their
were already discussing he question, whelh r il
would not be better for Them 10 he annexed 10 the
United STATES, and were preparing remorstran.
res against The new commercial policy Of the
British Government This was not Just The lime
to quarrel with The colonies, when America was
arning her seaboard; and when Mr. John Qnin-
CIV Adams ('Oh, nu") was blasphe,nnusIy, he
would lay, calling To his aid The word of God as
Justification for lighting up firebrands and I'M
leasing the heli-houads Of war on our territory of
Oregon Hear hnarJ He did no. think his was
a happy moment for Her Maje>iy's Ministers by
their fiscal measures 10 ALLEVIATE our Canadian
friends, when storm was gathering again US
Yes, there was cloud in The west, and thai
black cloud would grow blacker sli and per-
haps break over us, il such measures az those
were offered io our Canadian Colonists Hc,
for one, was as anxious a. any one that reace
should be maintained with honor lie thought
hi, country could very well afford 10 repose
on her laurels, and need be in no has.e
again 10 enter into The conflicts Of wal; but
he must say, that the way TO maintain peace
was not by making dshonorable sacrifice
either Of cur COLONIAL our domestic indusirV.-
fHear hsar) He was as willing as any one
that if douh, should arise about our rights, The
question should be reeredto an umpire, he cared
not whom; and he was equally willing TO con-
ccde Ia The A mercan States that 10 which we had
no right. Blu; If it came 10 this, that The Bible
should be quoted for The tile of The Americans 10
The Oregon territory, he lrns!ed that We should
not 90 sneaking 10 The United States with The boon
oil free trade in our hands, and ready to give away
the birlhriehi Of the British farmer. CHEERS
But il these differences should moi pass away, he
should not ask The right honorable gentleman in
the Chair 10 have The Bible read al the table; but
relying On the all.powerful aid OF the God OF
Battles, he should cnnfde that We would be en-.
abled 10 address the Americans in the language
Of British thunder from The broadsides Of a line
Of baule ship. (Hear, hear.l Firm in the JUS
iice of our cause, when The last resources of
peace should have passed away, with an all just
Providence on our side, fearing no human enc
my, they would send those British seamcn, which
the Government by their measures were that
night going 10 destroy, 10 the seaboard OF Anne
rica 10 speak in terms that could not be msun-
ders'ood, and make assertion Of our rights.
He was no friend 10 war; but il war should
Come, he would send those British sea men, whom
their present legislation was inluring SO much, 10
destroy The American seaboard and 10 speak 10
language which could not be misunderstood 10 N.
York, and Boston, and N. Orleans Turning
from this warlike demonstration agains, Ameri-
ca, which was loudly cbeered by The House. be
entered into long statistical dissertation, dis
playing much industry and research 10 prove that
the shipping interest were injured, and would be
still more essentially injured By the relaxation of
the protection nnder which it had grown up. If
the shipping Interest were injured, our maritime
supremacy would be endangered; aud fby any
vieissilude OF fortune it should be LOST, The glory
and prosperity Of England would be placed in The
utmost jeopardy.
y Unfortunate Poland has been crushed in