Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-10-09
FREE TRADE IN ENGLAND.

"
Posteritv will be better able than we to trace
the ultimate effects Of this measure, probably
in the establishment of Republican govern
ment, certainly in the overthrow Of the colo
NAL system.
In the year 1915, the immense crops of
grain which were imported into England, "a
Harmed the peculiar friends of domestic in
dustry." 1t was discovered that the foreign
importer could sell his grain in England at
two-thirds of its cost to the English grower,
and acting on a principle now almost exploded
in political economy, that under such circum-
stances, it was necessary to protect the domestic
article, duties were levied, amounting, in some
instances, to prohibition. Probably no public
act of any government has ever given rise to
so animated discussion. Statesmen and phi
losophers have expended the labors of life
time on either side
An examination of the character of the in
dividuals by whom these acts were supported
or attacked will disclose the remarkable fact,
that like its kindred measure of protective
system in this country, the English corn law
policy was the especial favorite of the landed
aristocracy, and the whole body of the priv
legged, or the would-be -privileged, classes AS
in our country, the men who oppose the pro-
tective policy, are composed of the yeomanry
or great masses of the people, so in England
i IL
has triumphed in the adoption of Free Trade
principles. The removal of restrictions from
universal industry, is one of the most
striking features in the policy of BOTH
They affirm that government, with all
the fantasmagoria of Courts, Laws, and
judicial officers, is instituted merely for
the purpose of securing individuals in the I'M
interrupted exercise of their several employ
ments> and in the quiet enjoyment of the pro-
fits of their industry. Taxes are laid for the
purposes OF revenue alone, and every tax be-
ing a violation of private rights, and so much
distracted from the pocket of the citizen, it is
manifestly unjust and tyrannical to torture q
vantage of particular classes.
If in the government of the kingdom of Eng
land founded as it manifestly is upon princi
pies so widely different from ours, and recog
nizng the existence of classes in the commu
nifty entitled to the particular favor of the
government, policy like this has been recog
nized and adopted, how far more essential /:
it here, where all are declared equal in thu
sight of the laws, and the laws themselves
claim no higher sanction than the wishes ant
the convenience of the majority.
The doctrines of Free Trade, for which tn,
Democratic party now contend, are founded
in principles of universal truth. If an article
can be bought cheaper in foreign marke
than in our own, we claim the right to pur
chase it there, on every just conception of fai
and honest dealing. We recognize no othe
price of any given article than its true marke
value, and whenever the government steps il
between the vendor and the purchaser, an
for the protection of favored interests, amexe
to that price any amount of duty more than
absolutely essential for the purposes of reve
nue., we regard it as downright violation O
the most sacred rights of private property. TIL
protection of any one of the different classe
of which a community is composed, is contra
I ry to the genius of a free government. If an
one of the industrial pursuits are lucrative
they want no protection; and if they are no
they do not deserve it. What matters it if tn
: excess be paid to the home manufacturer c
the foreign, in both cases it comes from tn
n pockets of the consumers, of which the gre5
5 mass of the community is composed. TIL
1. only difference is, that in the latter case W
open market for our own productions, an
e the profits of our labor abroad and in the othe
> we surrender them into the hands of few ;
Il home from whom we receive no return, an
7. who are thus without doing them any benef
e supported at the expense of the rest of tn
e community.
y 1t must be source of unmingled satisfa
6 ton, to the great minds, who, in both countrie
1t have for so long been engaged in this mob
"a struggle, that their opinions are now beir
e. triumphantly indicated in actual practic
T. The days of prohibition, monopoly, and r
l. strictions upon industry, are numbered. En-!
y land and America are now joined at last in el
deavoring to secure the beneficial effects of Il
y Democratic principle of equal justice to d
r. classes of their subjects. Other nations, to
IN are fast following their example; and SOC
H. may we witness and enjoy the beneficial inf
IT, ence of its universal application.
j. PENNSYLVANIA
As considerable anxiety is expressed abo
e. the feeling in the old Keystone, concer
re ing the Tariff OF '46, we take pleasure in la
10 ing before our readers communication fro
Danville, Pa, where the most extensive irt
ne works in the State are located This able Il
he ter comes to us from the pen of a thoroug