The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-23

uoDa Independence. To US the term seems 10 be
strangely misapplied. Il is agreed that system Of
free trade among all the nations Of the world by
curing the application of the highest energies Of
each TO those objects which Il best qualified 10
produce, would enlarge the amount Of production,
and increase the sum Of human comfort. But such
state of things would, according TO the argument
which is urged, be state Of universal dependence
in relation TO the commercial intercourse OF any
given nation with the other nations ofthe world, TO
the extent Of that intercourse, whethera system Of
free trade of partial restrictions should prevail
That intercourse consists in the mutual interchange
OF commodities, and It is impossible to conceive the
idea Of a dependence on the one side, without re.
cognising the fact of corresponding dependence
on the other. But such a stats of mutual depen-
dance is source Of graduation rather than Of re-
gret since Il gives TO each nation increased ia
cillty for the development OF its highest energies
largesthe sum Of Its enjOymenIs, and affords the
sarest guarantee for the peace ano harmony Of the
world.
If the suggestion be urged in its application to the
necessities OF our country during state Of war
equally satisfactory answer may be given. IL is
unquestionably the duty Of every government 10 be
prepared for those conflicts with other nations which
II is not always possible to avoid but 10 the most e
ectualy done by the unrestricted exerton offs peace
ful energies. In government constituted as ours
is, and separated il is by the Atlantic from the
nations Of the Old World il is reasonable to pre-.
sumo that such conflicts will be rare, The intervals
Of peace will probably be Of much the longest dura-
ton, and our system Of permanent policy should
therefore be regulated chiefly with view TO this
state Of our national existence. But the decisive
answer TO this suggestion is, that money eonst-
tutes the snews Of war and that its exigencies
best provided for by enriehng the nations in time OF
peace. A system of free trade will manly conduce
10 this object The resources which Il will fur
nsh will second the services OF tho neutral trader
and these, with our own internal manufacturers,
which are already independent Of legislative proec-
non, will anply supply our wants in such an emer-
geney.
"On the several interests Of agriculture, naviga-
ton, commerce, the mechanic arts, and even our
manufactures themselves, this system operates with
an injurious influence. Speaking with reference TO
that portion Of agriculture which is employed in
the production Of articles which must be exported
to foreign MARKET IL is obvious, then, any oonsd
cradle diminution Of commercial capital, by its
transfer to other employments, must have tenden-
cy to diminish their price. Ii is in the southern
portion Of the Union that this will be most extern
siyely felt. The domestic market will consume a
portion Of It's great staple, which is comparatively
small and the immense residue will seek in vain for
a foreign market If the manufactures Of other
TONS are in effect and permanently excluded from
our ports. This state Of things may not at once
occur.
"The necessity Of having supply Of the raw ma
tersl for the employment Of her manufactures, may
incline our great customer to submit for a time, 10
a system Of purchase instead Of exchanges; but she
will be urged by the strongest considerations seek
that supply from those who will receive her manu-.
features In retsrn If this system be rendered per-
mansnt, and pushed to the prohibitory extent, TO
which 1t seems inevitably to tend, the fate Of the
cotton planter is therefore irreyocably sealed. Nor
lie he alone affected by this system Of protection.
The nf the middle will fell MI
in the increase of the price Of labor, we'll
OF every article which he buys; and # those in the
manufacturing districts should find an improved
market for the produce Of their farms the consider.
atoms just stated will operate to diminish their
profits; and the benefits which they enjoy from the
increased investment Of capital in their vicinity, will
be purchased at the expense Of those interests from
which that capital has been transferred.
"When we direct our attention TO the influences
OF the protecting system on the navigation Of the
country, we might give TO the subject peculiar in
terest, by dwelling on the fact that ship is the
proudest and most successful Of our manufactures.
From an early period Of our history down to the
present hour we have been conspicuous for our
skill in shipbuilding. Advertng to it art, we
have, by the elegance of models, and the mi
nueDess of our finish. raised 1t from mechanical TO
one of the fine arts. We have applied the princi-
pies Of correct taste 10 naval architecture, and have
therefore produced the same mastery result in this,
as the application Of the same principles had pro-
duced on the other arts. We might then, with per-
feet fairness and propriety, press the Inconsistency
Of that policy which seeks the prosperity Of manu-
features by loading with burdens that branch of
them which has fourshed, with but little aid, and
is necessarily subject to exclusion from the eal-
ousy of foreign nations We might connect this
topic with our navy, and our naval glory, and thus
enlist in behalf the sensibilities of patriotism.
But we waive these advantages, and without enter
ing into details, content ourselves with adverting
to the positive discouragements Of shpbuilding occs
stoned by the tariff Of 1928. BY that tariff iron,
hemp, duck, and cordage, are subjected to duties
which would be in effect prohibitory, if these arti
cles were not ofthe first necessity. and their impor-
tation Indispensable. The quantity Of these articles
which enter into the construction of ship, with the
labor bestowed them, constitute one-half of its
value, and the duties upon them impose upon new
ship Of five hundred tons dry direct tax little
short Of two thousand dollars, which is paid in ad
vance. We say dry, direct tax, for it is not, as
in of consumable articles, repaid by the con-
sumner Neither is it repaid by the freighter; for
the rate of freght depends on foreign competition
and the foreign ship, cheap because unburdened,
settles the price.
"Every class of manufactures which is not the
object of the bounty of this system, as well the
mechanic arts generally are injuriously affected by
its operation. Nay, even those manufacturers who
experience this protection are themselves inter
eSteQ IN the removal OF tneee TCStTlcuonS. Inc
enormty of the profits, in many instances, COM
bined with the uncertainty Of the continuance ofthe
system, give to his employment the character of
gambling speculation, rather than that of regular
pursuit Of industry. The high rate of profits would
occasion rush fcapital from other pursuits, and
would speedily reduce them to the gen.
eral level, if the precarious tenure by which they
are held did not restrain the movement. Such of
them adapted to the circumstances of the coun-
try, and conducted with the requisite skill and in
dustry, would continue to flourish, although egis-
lative protection were withdrawn. They would
still give fair return for the capital and labor which
they employ. The rate Of profits would indeed be
less, but they would be certain, or liable only to
those changes which are common to the whole pro-
ductive industry Of the country. 1t is with this
view of the subject that the best informed and most
intelligent among the manufacturers themselves can
not resist the conviction that the abandonment Of
the protective system, and return to moderate du
ties, would be best calculated to promote the steady
growth and the safe and permanent establishment of
American man ufacturesn
The "North American" of Philadelphia, pub
fishes what purports to be copy of the Presidents