The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-08-06
SHAM SYMPATHY FOR LABOR.

II.
The whole burden of the protectonist cry now
is that the new tariff of 1876 is persecution of Amer
lean labor. Now be il observed, in the first place,
that more than three -fourths Of American Iaboris
devoted To the tillage Of the soil yet man stands
up to say that the tariff Of l8i2 gave intend
ed to give this immense proportion of American in
dusry any substantial protection whatsoever. 1t
is most astounding fact, and will hereafter be
looked upon one Of the wonders of our day, that
the party calling themselves by way of eminence
the protectionsts Of American labor, have left the
agricultural labor of our country wholly out of
view in their calculations
This is enough, but it is the least part of the
truth If the protectioniss in their tariff of 1912
had only failed to protect American agriculture, and
so let IL alone, the case would have been far better
than it is.
Instead of doing so, they have taxed the far
mer enormously, and on system, in everything that
he buys. They tax his sst-and the senator from
Missouri well called this an impious tax-l50 per
cent. They do, ia the law Of 1912, all that legisa
ton can do to tax the farmers clothing, whether of
wool or of cotton, on similar principle, if not to
degree equally enormous. But they reserve their
heaviest impositions for the farmers tools. His
drag chain, his axe, his pillow, his spade and
hoe pay, directly or indirectly, under the tariff
of l842, an amount Of duty ruinously oppres.
-:-s. --ss@- pro.Od -OtOs..,y-;. the HanA. Of
Representatives from the statistical returns Of the
census that the capitalist engaged in the iron man
ufacture made under the law of l542 60 per cent in
tercst on his capital invested. 1t further proved
af in ah
market, and adding to it five dollars per ton for
freight, insurance, &C., that if the American iron
master had sold his iron as low as the English
article could be bought in New York with this
sole addition, no duties being charged, he would
then make 30 per cent on his capital invested, after
full and liberal allowance for all the expenses OF
production. Such is the tax levied by the law of
lS42 on iron, the article of most prime necessity
to the farmer, used by him in all the labors Of
tillage. How long will party that stands up for
legislation like this have the hardihood to call them
selves the party Of protection to American industry
They protect the farmers-tha is, three-fourths of
the aborers of the and-by huge taxes on their food
their clothing, and their implements of husbandry'
But let us see how the matter stands with the
operatives engaged in manufactures. The pretext
is, that this enormous taxation upon the farmer,
enures to their benefit Let us the truth of the
matter. 1t is well brought out in the following
ticle which we copy from the Baltimore Republican.
We commend the facts here stated to the attention
of our readers. They speak for themselves. No
comment is needed to give them weight or emphasis:
"THE wEAvERs AND THE TARIFF.-The following
facts will show what the weavers were compelled to
endure under the tariff Of 1842, and how little they
have to regret its repeal:
"BALrMoRE, August 4, 1886
"MEssRs. EDIToRs: | saw in your paper of this
evening a notice from the Hartford Courant,' that
the proprietor of the mandatory at Thompson
vile, Connecticut, had since the passage of the new
tariff bill reduced the wages Of his weavers rs per
cent--from "a a 245 cents to 18. l have no doubt
Of that, for several years since the at that
factory turned out for higher wages, and the propr
etor sued them for combination, and imprisoned
some twenty of them in the prison at Hartford till
the time Of trial. and if am not mistaken, Mr.. w.
T. a gentleman conducting another business sue
cessfuy in this city at the present time, is well ac-
quainted with all the facts. FREEMAN.
"The Statesman, at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, has
the following the same subject, well worthy to be
pondered by those whom the employers endeav-
oring to Cypress under cover of the new tariff:
"sThe positive destitution last winter of the hand
loom weavers of Philadelphia shows the barefaced
misrepresentation given by the feigned protection
lists No less than |, 200 of these poor and ground
down weavers were compelled to abandon their work
in the part Of the winter on account of their
masters base imposition in reducing their wages
They had received but 80 20 per week--men with
families to support! This roguery did not stop
here. The proprietors sounded their determination
to reduce the wages still lower, asserting, OK
cuse that the present prices of manufactured goods
were not sufficient to enable the laborer to receive
even that amount. A bold and determined strike
was made-l 200 Woodworking men resolved no
longer to work for such monopolistsl Soup-houses
were established by the benevolent portion Of the
citizens; there they were fed until lords of realm
were compelled to solicit them to return to their
looms No doubt, could we but procure agent to
collect US all the information we desire respecting
The wages of operatives, we would find the same
nrincipe established wherever manufacturing is car
ried on extensively. The tariff Of l642 gives I'M
due protection to those whe labor not with their
own hands, while he who makes the wealth is left
without IT, While the millionaire provides and
decorates his mansion with all the superhuities
can invent he who fills his Golfers must be con-
tent TO remain in his cabin by his coal bank or ore
NINE destitute Of the comforts Of life, While the
iron master adds house TO house, and farm to farm,
he who tolls for pittance per day must take to his
bed Of straw, where sleep seldom closes his eyes
Toll TOLL TOLL by night and by day; and he dies
at last, leaving family poor and friendless, while
he who kept back his ia,ofi earnings dies and leaves
his fortune to be enjoyed by his family. Will the
IL 600 poer women in the city of New York, and
the hundreds in Philadelphia who work at 1874
cents per day, ever receive that honest protection
thew deserve Look at the abect inequality pro-
lection has entaed upon the country Let capifa-
lists rule and vo be to that who feels their iron
scouree!'