Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-03-25

sonth has experienced sudden changes
The most plausible argument by which
they have hitherto excused their malnien-
ance Of the restrictive system among ~,
was that il was necessary to counterfeit the
restrictions of Great Britain. There were
few Of them who would not confess IN de-
bate that free trade in itself is good
lhing-and unhappily as they would in
sist, an mpracIicable thing, nm abstraction
which could never be brought into real ex-
istence. Great Britain then was the spe-
cial enemy OF our trade and industry, be-
cause she carried on war of restriction
against our products. The tariff was then
a weapon Of retaialion-a means for go
yernment defence against The oppressive
revenue laws of England, which shut out
our bread suffs and refused 10 exchange
commodities with US. Il was impossible
for long time 10 find an apologist for the
tariff in the soulh who did not excuse him.
self as really an admirer OF the doctrine of
free trade, but forced to arm himself by
counter restrictions against the Legislation
OF England.
But England herself has at last broken
up aer ancient systems of monopoly, and
declared finally and fully for freedom OF
trade, and against The whole theory Of pro.
lection aud restriction. DESCRIBING asun-
worthy Of the improved science of The age,
the obsolete theory that government inter-
ference are necessary to direct the labor Of
men into the proper channels, and abdica-
ting the iyrannous power to distribute the
earnings of labor by statute regulations
among The favorItes of government, Eng
| land has shown noble example Of com
mercial refolm--a great national recanta-
ton of wrong, which is one OF the most
sublime proofs on record of the power Of
truth, freely and iearlessly discussed in the
face Of error, however strongly entrenched
behind authority, privilege and prescrip-
ton.
England al last has given her adhesion
to The cause of free trade--hut this tribute,
over which America ought to rejoice as an
homage extored from the proudest arts
tocracy in the world, to the sacredness Of
individual rights, the elemental principle
of American institutions, becomes in the
mouths of a party in America new
theme of reproach with which 10 taunt and
mislead the public feeling into an approval
of the policy which England has discarded,
and merely because she has discarded IT,
The very men who have most stouty de-
Tended the monopoly cause in America, be-
cause it was necessary TO fight British re-
striclions with the same weapons, are now
Just as strong in their denunciations Of free
trade, because England has surrendered
her restrictions. They forsook the cause
Of liberty natural 10 the American soil
enforced, as they complained, by the artl.
fetal state Of the world, and took up the
British system in retaliation and for SELL
defence. Now, when Great Britain aban-
dons her own system, and sanctions and
adopts that which is consonant with the
genius of American institutions, they adj
here to the discarded system. and are as
vociferous in denouncng free trade as
British notion, conceived in subservency
TO Brilish views, because Britain has adop
ted it since, as they were formerly IN de-
nouncing it as British, because il showed
lack OF spirit in not resisting British mo
nopoly.
Now, this sort OF defamation is evident
ly the mere rant of demagogues. Inc,
would confuse the public Judgment upon
clear question by appeals 70 naked ma
lional prejudice. They would resist th'
establishment Of free system here, be
cause nation whom we have been laugh
= to dislike has been converted TO the sam
side 1t is an absurd and unreasonable a
: well as miscliievous cry. We hardi,
think it will obstruct for moment In
zeal Of the triumphant party in this coun
try, who, alter years of struggle, have IN
e power TO establish their principles in tn
! administration of the government. The
. were, not many years since, in minority
9 while in both England and the Unite
n States the system Of monopoly was ON
e nipolont. They now sec their doctrine
q uneqniyocally triumphant among the pee
u pie Of both, and recognized az true by bot
Of governments. No wild appeal TO the pas
l. sions of mutual hatred will prevail upo
the free trade men to forbear the accom-
+ plishment of all the blessings for whic
Y they have been struggling for their ow
a. country, from an insane desire to infIc
= le injury upon another by continuing
p cripple ourselves. They will proceed, W
z hope and trust, in The spirit Of enlghter
! ed legislation, TO relieve trade from il
u shackes and bestow on this country the il
y estmable blessings Of freedom of indus
=, try, without pausing to regret that ihes
y I, blessings may extend beyond our own bo
~ degs, and crossing and recrossing the A
i'- lantc be the means Of elevaiing the cot