The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-16
MANUFACTURERS FAIR.
To the Editor of the Union: :

! 10 The Editor Of the Union:
Having occasion yesterday to stroll into the large
building erected by the manufacturers, at the ex,
pense Of some $4,000, for the purpose of making a
grand demonstration upon Congress with view to
prevent that body from interfering with the immense
monopoly enjoyed by that privileged class under the
provisions of the present tariff, | noticed many
very handsome specimens Of carPeung, and other
manufactures which are displayed for the approach
ing exhibition. And, among other facts learned
about their beautiful fabrics was this: that many d
them had prices fired upon them psTy much lOosT than
The quality aud description o. goods can be import
I'd for from foreign countries.
The beautiful imperial carpeung sent from the
| Thompsonvle mandatory, an Connecticut, Is
priced at 50 IS per yard-a price very much lower
than the merchants can obtain the Same for in the
large quantities.
Now, this fact proves one OF two things-vlz: that
these fabrics are offered at lower price than the
manufacturer can afford TO sell them for, that he
| does not need protection
Ofcourse, Congress will take the manufacturer at
his word. And # he can produce good, If not a
better fabric his foreign rival at LOsr price, there
is need of taxing the consumer for his particular
benefit. The argument in favor Of protection is
| removed at once.
That It is a fact that the American manufacturer
can manufacture a better fabric at lower price than
his foreign rival, is stoutly contended for, under
stand, by the Jealous advocates of the protective
system This was the alleged reason on their part
for getting up this great political Vhg fair, which is
to be held in this city next week It's ayowed de-
sign is to show to Congress and the world, that
the American manufacturer can make better fabric
for the same price than his foreign rival aud eonss
quenty 10 proue that the american Manufacturer stands
need Of high duties 10 protect him from the eompeti-
ton Of the foreign manufacturer
As the friend of a moderate revenue tariff am
reoiced that the manufacturing monOPollsts have
1 IL. IL,
gress and thus establish the fact TO the world that
they stand in no need of what they call protection,
but which, in other words, means more than the
privilege of taxing the great mass OF their fellow
citizens in order to enrich themselves.
The privilege Of dividing profits at the rate OF
from 20 to 100 per cent on their capital stock each
year, through the aid Of an unjust tarlf-a system
Of legislative robbery-cannot be surrendered with
out great effort. Money will be poured out like
water TO prevent it, The manufacturers can not on
y afford 10 pension senators 10 act IN Congress as
their agents and attorneys, but they spend prof
ltaby SlOO 900 in getting up great fair 10 operate
upon the representatives Of the people. All this Is
nothing in comparison with the immense privilege
of plllagng their countrymen, which they have at
| stake.
My opinion is, that the effect Of this great demon
straon of the chiefs Of the spnners and OF
the North will be only to excite scorn and contempt
IN the bosoms Of the members of Congress, whom
1t is designed to affect.
During the bank panic of 1894, the myrmidons Of
federalism threatened to march army Of ten thou.
sand men to this CITY, to encamp on Capitol Hill
until Congress restored the deposItes. We are now
| to have army of gentlemen manufacturers mot
the "operatives") to beleaguer Congress, in order
to prevent the modification Of the tariff, and trust
and believe, with similar result.
In conclusion, would suggest thai the merchants
of the country would do well TO attend this fair, and
purchase their supplies at the prices offered TO the
samples TO be there exhibited II the manufacturers re.
fuse to fill large orders at such prices they will only
show to the world that they have here for the
purpose of deception If they will agree to fill large
orders at those prices, they will only prove that they
need no protection On one Of the horns Of the d.
lemma they must hang.
FAIR PLAY.