Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-03-17
SIR ROBERT PEEL, ON FREE
TRADE

Weyesterday published the speech of
Sir Robert Peel, explaining the details Of
the tariff about 10 be submitted 10 the &C
ton Of Parliament and to-day the reade
will find on the out side of this sheet anoth.
er speech Of his made on the 22d of jan
uary, announcing his conversion to the
doctrines of Free trade. This is one of the
most important testimonies agains, the res
trctlve policy that has yet been given,
and possess particular value for the Amer
lean public
The speech was delivered on an address
from the House of Commons 10 the Queen,
and was meant to be al exposition Of tho
grounds OF his conviction that the protec-
tive system ough, to be gradually abolished
in England.
1t opens with a manly avowal of the
complete change of opinion which had been
forced upon his mind by the commercial
experience of England for several years
past. There was time, he says, when
he was an ardent supporter Of the system
of restriction, but the progress Of reason
and of TRUTH" and "the results of an en-
larged observation have compelled him
TO abandon his position rs untenable, and
10 recommend a line Of policy directly the
reverse Of that which he had hitherto pur-
sued. He then gives the "reasons" and
''experiences" which led to this great rev.
oiuion in his sentiments.
He states in the outset, that the advo-
Gates OF Free-Trade start with an immense
advantage, in the fact that the natural
presumption o. man is, that trade ought
to be always and every where perfectly
unrerestriced. Sound policy, therefore,
requires that all legislative impedments to
the free intercourse of nations should be
removed, unless there are strong grounds
for maintaining them in the peculiar cir
cumsiances of a country. 1t must be
shown, either that protection to particular
interests is in itself good principle; OF
that il is absolutely necessary to the reve'
nues Of the government; or again, that the
interests OF the great body Of the community
The laboring classes. will be injured by ar
abrogation Of restrictive laws. Sir Rober
then proceeds to argue at length, that pro
tec,ion cannot be sustained on either o
these grounds, but on the contrary his ex-
perionce, after close and constant watch.
ing Of its effects, with every motive 20 sus-
tain existing interests, and particularly the
landed aristocracy who were supposed to be
particularly benefited, compels him to ask
for the gradual repeal Of the whole protec'
tive system.
He shows that the opening Of the port:
TO the free admission Of foreign goods can
not have a bad effect upon the wages Of la
Dor that the most efficient way for Grea
Britain to meet her enormous expenditure;
and public debt, is by the abundance anc
cheapness Of provisions furnished to the
people that the gradual reduction of pro-
tective duties which has been going on foi
several years, has greatly enlarged the
trade Of The country, as measured by its
exports and that while great remissions
had been made in The amount Of taxes, the
revenues from customs have very much
exceeded the estimates of the government
| Sir Robert then turns 10 another branch OF
the subject, and discusses the moral effects
Of The rival systems Of freedom and restric
| ton. His argument is that the increased
prosperity of the people under the work
ings of liberal principles Of trade, tends to
diminish the temptations TO the commission
of crime. This he proves by comparing
the criminal statistics of both manufacture
ing and agriculture districts, during years
when both systems have been in operation,
the result Of which is that there has been a
great decrease of Offences against the law
since the reduction Of duties
But these great social advantages, he ar.
CUES. have not been accompanied by any
serious detriment TO interests supposed TO
be chiefly benefited by restrictive laws.
A great many proofs of the position are
given, which cannot be put in a more con-
else form than they are put by the distin.
guished speaker. All his remarks, coming
from such source, and under The circum
stances, are full Of weight. They deserve,
in an especial manner, the attention Of our
American statesmen.
1t has often been said heretofore, by the
sicklers forsproiective duties, that no prac-
teal statesman had ever adopted free-trade
as principle OF his government. that the
writer's and orators Of Great Britain, though
favorable TO free trade IN theory, were un-
willing 10 reduce il 10 practice, and that
Great Britain herself while urging other ma.
lions to strike down their tariffs, had no
desire to moderate her own. These state
ments, never quite true, are now utterly
without foundation. The able and expe-
rienced statesmen Of England-men of con-
sentative habits, but s,gacious and solid
judgments, have been reluctantly forced in
10 The abandonment, OF the restrictive policy.
This is one oil the grandest facts of the day.
England stands at the head oflhe commerce
of the globe her policy gives the law 10
the most powerful civilized nations and
her example will be sooner or later follow
ed by ell the other great powers Of the
world.
HEALTH AFFECTED BY THE MIND Moth
ing says DR.. Metcalle, more essentially
contributes to health and longevity, than a
happy and tranquil state of mind. which is
to be sought for in a temperate exercise OF
all the nhysicaI intellectual and moral fac