Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-05-08
THE ENQUIRER.
RIG HMOND, VA.
Thursday Morning, May Z, 1916.

The Great National Fair at Washington.
As The time rapidly approaches for the meeting
OF the grand Sanhedrim Of The manufacturers,
and for the display Of their manufacturing skill,
we are naturally led to speculate on the proposed
and legitimate effect this exhibition will have on
the action of the two houses of Congress- as re-
spects the Tariff First, in regard to the propo-
sed bearing: land we beg leave here to sta,e that
our remarks on this head must be viewed in the
light OF speculations, the verihcation OF which
the Goth inst will establish or dash TO the ground)
The prime movers in this matter hope by this
magnificent collection Of goods, wares and ner-
chandize" so completely TO dazzle the Congress
sional eye, and so far to blind i, by the luslre OF
the show, as 10 render view OF "cause and et-
feet" beneath the g,tering surface highly impro-
bable. Not content with combining their manu-
featuring abilities to their proper sphere-shaping
the rough ore and the sturdy oak 10 their proper
uses-lhey essay more delicate task in attempt
can feeling Of their spectators. We shrewdly sus-
pect that the first step in the road 10 The feelings
Will be comparison OF American goods with
foreign articles of the same nature. BY an exhl-
bition of their ingenuity and skill in inven-
ton and workmanship, which none will more
readily conccde TO the industrial classes Of
the manufacturing community than ourselves
they wish TO produce fostering spirit on the
part OF our Representatives, hoping at The
same time TO blind them 10 the fact that Inc 0c'le-
IT'S accrue TO the units, while the thousands who
perform the labor remain in the same condition.
God knows that we have the interest of
the manufacturers as much al heart as those
Of any other class in the community
We are AmsricanS, and as such view all
national interests alike and desire to see all thrive
alike. But this is no reason why we should be
always "greasins the fat sow"-why We should
be always extending our assistance aud nutri-
ment 10 those who do not need them, while 10 do
50 would be al The expense Of those who have
never received any particular assistance from the
Government. We are free 10 confess, that we
have no sympathy for those manufacturers who,
through this ho,-bed system Of protection, become
millionaire, at The expense OF lhs physical and
mental toll of the working class.
If the manufacturers proper would but reflect
moment, they would become satisfied that this
facilitating prosperity places their institutions on
foundation fsand Let them suppose that the
glass OF protection, which has 50 long screened
them, should be suddenly removed, and these
tender, pelted nurselinss Of the dollhouse ex-
posed TO the chilling blasts of competition,
could they survive the change OF the atmos-
phere2 But how different the result, when,
BY gradual nduralion, they shall have become
firm and stable. They have already been shell
tered 50 long, that their stems have become al
most 100 weak 10 support them; and il is time
,ha, The glass should be gradually raised, and
that they should be made TO rely more upon their
own trunks for support 'han The props which
have so long nrlsM them.
What country on earth can compete with
American ingenuity and American skill7 We
are national enough 10 believe none. But our
feelings lead US off from The real or Legitimate eff
feet that this exhibition will, or should produce.
Men, on whose minds this thing is intended 10
operate, will see a, glance that since these gen.
llemen manufacturers can afford TO sell the do
nestle article 10 much lower than the foreign
(Which, by the bye We don't believe, or if
they can, do not, though their goods at The
Fair may be placed at lower prices than
those at which they generally sell them, the OBJ
iect OF which every rejecting man will see a.
once,) both being alike in every respect, they
have no shadow OF foundation on which to
base request for protection and, more especially,
when the profits Of that protection go into the
pockets Of the few, afordng no SORT OF benefit
temporary or permanent TO the large MAORI
ty-,he ,oiling millions OF the country. But
this appears so really automatic TO US, that we
will tire our readers no farther with The subject
Let us, therefore, conclude, by advising our mer-
camille friends, on the score OF economy, If they
should wish to purchase goods about the 10Th
OF MAY, TO 20 no farther North than Washing
ton for that purpose Our reason for this advice
is very plain-ihe manufacturers will sell their
goods there at much cheaper rates than they do
al the factories.