Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-07-16

Mr.. Stevens thus notices the carly adop.ion of
the doctrine of protection. and states the extraor-
binary fact that in the earliest days our troops were
clad in our own woolens-What other State can
make that boast?
"Since Vermont was admitted into the Federal
Union her delegates in Congress have been the
fast and firm friends in favor OF encouraging indus
try and promoting domestic manufactures. As
people, we have from the time our fathers declared
the New Hampshire Grants free and independent
State, 18th January A. ID. l777, pursued this poll
cy. It was the pursuing of this policy that enabled
our fathers to meet the expenses of the Royolu-
tionary War; to redeem the then paper issues at
par, and the only State that ever did redeem their
paper issues were at discount Of $40 for one. Not
u single bill of purchase of wooden blankets or
wooden garments ont Of the State for our brave sol
dlcrs during the Revolutionary War h1s yet been
discovered.
sou mothers manufactured cloth for garments
aud blankets for their husbands and sons, when at
home or in the field of action. Our mothers would
say to their husbands and sons. on their leaving for
the army, My dear, if any thing should happen
that you do notrcturn, you will direct that my ban-
kct be sent back"
AS carly as l7SG, it seems that the Protective
System was adopted by the Legislature of the State,
which resulted to the State just as the same system
results to the nation: the balance of trade come in
our favor-our debts were all paid and we had
money to let:
"Soon after the close of the Revolutionary War,
our country was flooded with goods of the manu-
i0cturc Of foreign countries, which soon drained
the couLtry of most of the solid coin. Paper cur
rency State and Government securities becumo
nearly worthless. Tender laws and appraiscmcnt
laws became the order of the day, throughout the
Union The General Assembly of this State, MS
81 a., Co.. a.,
enlargement OF domestic manufactures, the owner
of sheep should be credited on his list, two shil
llngs for every pound of wool shorn, ond one shl-
ling for every yard Of linen or tow cloth manuiac-
tured. This policy soon caused the balance of
trade to become in favor Of the State, paper issues
redeemed, private debts paid, and the State Treas
urer soon reported balance in the Treasury of
SI4C00 in silver ard gold. In addition to the debt
incurred by the Revolutionary War; our fathers
DESTROYS of having this commonwealth admitted in
TO the Union, and for the sake Of peace, paid the
State of New York further sum of $4,000.
eve may with propriety spcak5of the patriotism
and heroic acts Of Chlttendcn, Allen and Warner,
and others OF our citizens, i'll the cabinet and in
the Field Of action. We also must remember, that
at that period our mothers and sisters were cult
waiting the fields harvesting the crops, and by hand
manufacturing for their household. That spirit OF
enterprise and perseverance on the part of our moth
crs, yet runs IN the veins Of many OF those who
are termed the better half Their workmanship
exhibited TO us this day, is sufficient to satisfy us
that they are yet willing to contribute their proper
ton in rendering Old Caledonia Independent of our
sister States or foreign countries"
Mr.. Stevens then introduces us to the sentiments
OF the State as exhibited by our early Governors:
{" In reviewing the Governors Messages to the
General Assembly, and the various answers on the
part OF the Assembly, SO long as that was custom
Il ct tt,ntn ,I,. = 4 I
an expression that will in any degree favor the doc
trne Of free trade. The whole tenor of those pub.
lie documents have been in favor of protecting the
industry of our citizens well as the citizens of
our sister States
81 have taken the liberty to refer you TO the do
ings of the General Assembly Of this State a. D.
1886. Permit me to read to you extracts from the
Governors Message before the last war, at time
when our commerce was much embarrassed. Also
some few extracts after the war
SENTIMENTS OF Gov. GALusuA-"That ever
to be remembered patriot, Gov. Galusa, in his mes
sage Oct. 1909, says As it is the great object OF
legislation to promote the highest happiness of the
people, presume you will never lose sight oc the
two most important interests of this State, the ng-
ricultural and manufacturing. Whether any thing
can be done for the encouragement of the latter,
during the continuation of the embarrassmcnts OF
commerce. will be subject worthy of your con-
sderation.'
"Answer on the part of the Assembly So The
check upon our commerce resulting from the I'M
just aggrcssions of foreign powers, have produced
an attachment 10 domestic manufactures which in
process Of time, and under the fostering care Of
government, will render us more and more indie
pendent Of those nations who are warning against
our prosperity and independence. Those measures
which tend to encourage this growing spirit ever
propitious to our liberties, and furnish Incentives to
agriculture in days Of commercial embanassments,
will receive our early and attentive consideration
CAT the game session committee was appoint
ed, on motion of Mr.. Rich, to report 10 the man.
uacturing interest of the state Said committee
Ptter giving the particulars sny-'ln the above
statement of cloth may be added that of hosiery
and almost every article usually made from wool
cotton or flax, which to an extent nearly sufficient
for the common Of families, is manufactured in
this State.
"Gov. Gausha, in his message, 1910, says
WAS every American heart barred against foreign
influence, and suitably attached to the government
and interest Of his own country, we might put the
powers OF Europe at defiance. We have the means
Of wealth and improvement within our own terrific
ry; and were we to turn our attention to our inter
nal resources and foster our infant manufactures
the belligerent nations of Europe would soon seel
our friendship court our trade, and render just ret
ribution for the injuries they have done us, The
manufactures IN various parts of the country arc
increasing with a rapdity unparalleled, and tho
pride of every American begins to be graticd witt
dress Of our own manufacturing. And | trus
the time is not far distant when the citizens of thesC
United States instead Of relying on foreign coun
tries for their clothing, will be able not only to sup
ply their own wants, but to export every kind o
cotton, If not wooden goods, and restore to the U
Mon that portion of specie which has been drawn
from us by the excessive use of foreign manufac
tured goods'
"Mr. Leland, chairman of committee on the par
of the House, answered as follows 1T has ais
taught us to repose wiki confidence in our own in
terna rcsourcesand produced throughout the Unol
noble emulation to excel in domestic manufac
lures which affords a sure prcsage that ere lon!
the manufacturing and agricultural interest, untet
with the energies Of a vrtuous and enterprisn.
people, will constitute the only sure basis of ma
:iona independence. We are happily blessed witt
diversity of soil and climate well suited TO all tn
productions which tend to promote the health an
! happiness OF man. Thus situated, while we zeal