The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-25
ComMUNIcATIoNs.
10 THE EDITOR or THE UNION.

the much aDuseu question OF inc hfin wih uoupt-
less soon again occupy It's time and attention, wil
with your permission, resume my remarks upon the
subject
Ia my previous communications showed think
as plainly az any candid mind desire, that high
tariffs arc not for the protection OF native industry,
os any other denomnaiisn OF industry by manual
Dor but for the benefit and enrching Of properly
holders and artificial and real capitalists that heavy
duties on imports do not protect labor, but serve 10
create moaspoy aud aristocratc feelings and 20 In
crease and encourage smuggling.
also took occasion TO direct the attention OF your
ar memorials which were ever laid before Congress
for the increase Of tariffs or the maintenance Of
them, tangible specific advantages in the shape OF
good wages, or participation In profits, were ever
attempted 10 be secured TO the manual labor, mo
ehsnlcs, or any other description Of operatives
Further, that the propreiors, capitalists, or mas
ters (no matter the nanie) will not, and do not al
low their workers the chance Of obtaining fair
market price for their labor When they have been
reaping their harvest by enormous profits for .
length OF lime, by which they have been enabled TO
extend their establishments, instead Of the opera
lions obtaining an advance OF wages consequent up
on an increased demand for their particular kind OF
labor, the propnetors import from Europe as many,
or more, hands than they want, and thus not only
prevent the industrious, hard-~orking, low-hving
portions Of our population from obtaining larger
price for their work. but positively, and beyond all
DOUBT. enables tncm, the masters, 70 fcuucc wages
One Of the most simple and sef-eyident truths In
practical life, is, that the scarcity In the market OF
any given article OF indispensable necessity viii,
and does, invariably enhance its price. Yet, the
very article the most important 10 society Of all
others viz; labor prevented from rising and OBJ
tanning its due reward by the system Of importa-
ion.
Unfortunately, the principle oflegislalng upon
this question has been, and still is-Protect the rich,
the influential and the designing, and they viii pro-
lect the aboring poor whereas the equitable com.
nonsense doctrine ls-let government NJ h VIII
inIeere) take Of the needy, ignorant, and laHo-
rous portions OF It's citzens for the rich, the edu.
Gated, and the influential, can and will take care OF
themselves. 3Il
Here would stay for few moments, and say
IL what have Just stated be true-and that II - true
mono need doubt, for il is capable OF being proved
with little or no trouble; indeed Il Is almost 80
well known, as TO be universally sdmiiied--if
this be so, il what have said be true, LEI me ask
any man, whig, democrat, or nause, Is II right
The answer is no. Let me inquire from any citizen,
who has reasonable soul within him, Is Il for the
credit and welfare Of our common country The an
swer is no. Does do any good even 10 that frse-
ton of our people, the mechanical and msnufactur-
ing operatyes' The candid, truthful reply ~, no u
does not. II is producing debilitated, emaeisted,
shOrt-liyed race Of mankind and will sooner or later
induce paoperism and crime.
But think hear some one object, and say; II
what you have stated be correct, II II be true that
high tariff is not for the general good and is unjust
towards a considerable part Of our citizens, how
does il happen that during the recent elections Il
has been the watchword and bond which united all
parties, wings, democrats, and natiyes' How did II
come TO passl
am unwilling to speak the truth, for although
truth, il may be disagreeabe TO some, and wish TO
offend no mani but must answer, the truth Is this;
because a very large majority Of our citizens are
not capable Of forming correct opinions upon the
question, not more than one in every hundred hsy-
ing sufficient knowledge Of political economy to
enable them 10 do Being thus deficient IN infor-
nation they are led away and deceived by the alb
surd dogmas and faacons arguments Of educated,
intelligent but interested individuals. And, also,
because, as a whole, our voters did not use their
elective rights from the principle Of equity and pat
riousm; but according to what they considered was
their own individual interest," the interest of friends,
Of some small section Of the community, or of a
particular party.
Our fellow-men and citizens, who earn their bread
by the sweat Of their brow, are surrounded by all
sorts ofinauences md interests, from which there
is no effectual or tain escape, but education and
selfreliance.
We b asst, and very properly too, of the Father
of our country, the good and the great George
Washington. But do we initiate his yirtuesi Do
we exercise a large amount of selfdenial for our
country's good' We boast of our enlightenment as
a nation. We boast Of our public system, and of
the facilities and opportunities afforded TO our popu
lation for obtaining insructioni and yet, strange to
say, that the knowledge which is requisite to enable
citizens to use their votes equitably and independ-
emily, is almost unknown; that branch of learning
which is most conducive to the honor, welfare, and
permanency of this great and powerful republic is
we'll nigh overlooked and disregarded. allude to
political economy. -t s...a.. t.....
Since last addressed you, have been making
short tour amongs, the manufacturing and mechani-
cal establishments of this State; and the result a.
that the more knowledge acquire, and the more
investigate the protective system, the more l am
convinced Of its injustice and impolicy.
have visited and examined many establishments
amongst the numb n, those excellent and Twill
bc) extensive works recently put into operation
the Jersey side of the Delaware, near this city,
known as the Gloucester Point Works. As far as
the designs and plans have been carried into effect
found them efficient for the production of good
and cheap goods as any saw in the old country.
They have the most modern and labor-saviDg ma.
chipery, finished in the very best style, and were
producing fine muslins for printing upon, of first
rate quality, at little COST within per cent, as
similar manufactures in Lancashire.
The duty on such goods imported into the
United States, from England, according to the
tariff, is rs per cent ad yalorem; the cost Of impor
taton would be about 20 per cent; and the importer
would require profit Of 10 per cent On selling them
to the buyers here, which gives total of SIS per
cent; and deducting per cent. for extra cost al
the works In this country, IT would exhibit pro-
lection or bounty to our manufacturers Of SO per
cent; and supposing (Which 10 not unreasonable)
that he turns his capital twice in the year,
would give return in the shape of profits of l04
per cent. per annum. Suppose, however, the
whole duty taken off the manufacturer here would
make profit of IL per cent, when the profit on
the same article imported would be nothing; be.
cause il costs 20 per cent to import them, and he
has only a disadvantage Of per cent. in the pro-
duction yT 2r4t5
But must be brief, or my letter will be too long
and trcscme. Amongst other places, was at
Norrisown and Phenixville; at the latter place, |
went over all the works, including the and ex-
tensive iron concern; and here / ascertained, that
many operatives had lately arrived from Great
Britain, and that others were expected in a short
tmc and thus enable the cnterprisng propretors TO
stock the works with the hands they require
On my journey took occasion to talk with opera
tives and others, in order ascertain il they knew
anything OF the real nature and effects Of the tariff
system. The knowledge thus acquired convinced
me- If not previously satisfied of the fact, that
LII H. Inf