Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-12-23
changes in the system which cannot fail


Great Britain, from whose example we
derived the system, has relaxed hers
She has modified her corn laws, and re.
duced many other duties TO moderate
revenue rates. After ages of experience,
The statesmen of that country have been
by stern necessity, and by
a public opinion having lis deep founda.
ton in the sufferings aud wants of impov-
erished millions, TO abandon system the
effect OF which was 10 build up immense
fortunes in the hands Of the few and 10
reduce the laboring millions to pauperism
and misery. Nearly in the same rrtio
that labor was depressed. capital was in
creased and concentrated by the British
protective policy.
The evils of the system in Great Britain
were a, length rendered intolerable and
il has been abandoned, but not without q
severe struggle on the part OF the pro.
tecteA and favored classes TO retain the unjust i'd
va..tages which they have 80 long enioyed Ii
was to be expected that similar struggle would
be made by the same classes in the u s when
ever an attempt was made to modify or abolish
the same unjust system here. The protective
policy had been in operation in the United States
for n much shorter period, and It's pernicous ell
fects were not therefore so clearly perceived and
felt. Enough, however, was known OF these es
iects 10 induce its repeal.
1t would be strange if in the face Of The exam.
pie Of Great Britain our principal foreign cuslo-
mer, aud OF the evils OF a system rendered man.
lies, in that country by long and painful expert
ence, and in the face of the immense advantages
which, under more liberal commercial policy
we are already deriv ing, and must continue TO
derive. by supplying her starving population with
food, the United States should restore policy
which she has been compelled to abandon, and
thus diminish her ability to purchase from us the
food and other articles which she so much needs,
and we so much desire to sell.
BY the Simultaneous abandonment % the pro-
tecuye policy by Great Britain and the United
States, new and important markets have already
been opened for our agrcult ural and other pro
ducts commerce and navigation have received
q new impulse labor and trade have been lie
leased FROM the artificial trsmmels which have
so long fettered them; and to great extent re.
ciprosity, in the exchange of commodities has
been introduced at the same time by the pressure
of circumstances at home, TO abandon policy
which has been upheld for ages and TO open her
ma rkels for the immense surplus OF breadstuffs;
and it is is confidently believed that other pow
ers of Europe will ultimately see the wisdom. if
they be not compelled by the pauperism and su-
ferng of their crowded population, TO pursue a
similar policy.
Our farmers are more deeply interes-
ted in maintaining The just and liberl
policy Of The existing law. than any 9th
er class Of our citizens. They constitute
a large majority Of our population; and
il is we'll known that when they prosper,
all other pursuits prosper also. They
have therefore not only received none OF
the bounties or favors Of government,
but, by the unequal operations of the pro-
teclive policy, have been made, BY the
burdens of taxation which it imposed, Ia
contrsbute TO the bounties which have en-
rlched others.
When foreign rs well as home
market is opened to them, they must re.
ceve, as they are now receiving. increased
prices for their products. They will fine
a reader sale, and better prices, for their
wheat, -four. rice, Indian corn, beef.
polk, lard, butter, cheese, ana other ar
Iicles. which they produce. The home
market alone is inadequate 10 enable
them to dispose Of the immense surplus
food and other articles which they are
capable Of producing, even at the most
reduced prices, for The manies; reason
that thew cunno he consumed in the coun-
try. The United States can, from their
immense surplus, supply not only the
home demand, but the deficiencies Of food
required by the whole world.
That the reduced production Of some OF
the chief articles of food in Great Brit
ain. and other parts of Europe, may
have contributed to increaae the demand
for our bread>iutfs and provisions, is not
doubled bat that the great demand. OF
increased prices, consists in the removal
Of artificial restrictions heretofore inn
posed. is deemed to be equally certain.
That our exports of food, already in
creased and increasing beyond former
example. under the more liberal policy
which has peen adopted, will be still vast
Is enlarged. unless they be checked oil
prevented by n restoration of the pro
tective policy, cannot be doubted. Ina
our commercial and navigating interest:
will be enlarged in a corresponding ratio
with the increase Of our trade, is equal,
certain while our manufacturing inter
esls will still be the favored interests o.
the country, and receive the incidenta
protection afforded them by the revenue
duties and more than this they cannot
Justly dema'd.
In my annual message Of Decembe'
last, tariff of revenue duties, based
upon the princiyles of The existing law
was recommended and have seen no
reason 10 change the opinions thei
expressed. In view of the probable ben
eficial results of ieat law. recommend
that the policy established by it main
tanned. il has but just commenced &c
operate and to abandon or modify i
wi,hou, giving it fair trial. woule be
neypedent and unwise. Should defect:
in any OF its details be ascertained by
actual experience to exist. these may be
hereafter corrected but until sucl
defects shall become manifest, the ac
should be fairly tested.
1t is submitted for YOUR consideration
whether it may not be proper, ms wal
measure, TO impose revenue duties on
some Of The articles now embraced in The
free list. Should il be deemed proper &c
impose such duties with a view 10 ralst
revenue TO meet the expenses OF The wal
with Mexico. or avoid 10 that extent The
creation of public debt. they may be
repealed when the emergency which