New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-08-07


The Pith of the Matter.
The CAronotyps mistakenly says that NJ Chitns
proposal for a Congress Of Nations the subject
Of Free Trade Z" has called out very ~asp'sh re-
ply from The Tribune" Now it is quite wrong TO
say that the bare proposal Of Congress called out
oar remarks on NJ Chittis manifesto. What we
objected to was his blending with the call dsser
tstiou on Political Economy, wherein the advo'
Gates of Protection were not merely termed lgno'
rant and their notions absurd, but OF which the
whole spirit is fairly indicated by those terms me
call and the essay might each be proper in its place
but their fusion did not seem 80 TO us. NO one
doubts that the Free Traders who call this Con
venton will control t-that its resolutions will echo
their sentiments and enforce their convictions H.
therefore, they really wish representation from
our side Of the house their invitation at leastough'
10 manifest a candid and considerable spirit-ousht
20 recognize the possibility that We may have
something To say that is not unworthy their atten-
top--ousht not ~ assume as indsputsble that
Protectionists are necessarily knsves or idiots. 1t
appeared to US therefore that the Belgian Com
missioner deserved gentle rebuke ior ms NAL
adroit aud unmey exhibition OF concelt, so prelu-
dicial even to the success OF his mission and we
think many who agree with him on general princi
oles will agree with US this point. The Chrome
tyne, indeed stigmatizes our remarks as wasp
ish. but he gives his readers no opportunity to
iadse for themselves on that point; and NJ Chtti,
on the contrary, pronounced them unwsrantably
facetious We certainly did not intend either to
hit the Commissioner with sedge or to tickle
L., I'D II he
guilty OF any breach Of courtesy, we ask his pardon
But The Chronotype steps in to restore the bat
tie on behalf OF its compatrlot and responds TO our
line a argument as follows:
"Ist 4, be- Understood sgree with The Tribune
that W. ought be- dependent upon foreigners Ton
aaythtag We can better make home. Every country
should have industry OF some sort 10 give employ men
TO its onre population rich aud poor. But alter th
whole population OF a country is employee there WI,
probably remain some desirable trogs which u Wi
not DR. iuce. And surely the most profitable employ
meut any country will depend upon lite oircuui
stances and capabilities. II the circumstances oil
country such that the natural persplcscy OF CAPT
tass In II out OF H. does not and seize upon h
prohtabepess of its producing all iis supplies we be
sve IL folly for the Government 10 attempt 10 iorc'
the matter In other words, do not believe that The
ps5spiescy of government ever exceeds, or indeed
ever equals that Of private capitalists The IrtoEns sp
pers hold contrary opinion believes there VII
be a vast gain by bringing the wheat grower ana th'
manufacturer of cloth, for example. near together
that the expense Of transportation may be saved NJ
doabt that would be saving Neither wheat nor cott
arc increased by Transporting But the fact soo1
ooe for Government IL 10 good for capitalists -
Why does The IibuRe capitalist act upon It
take the certain advantage of III Oh repies 10 taxi
advantage OF IL requires not only capital but sk low
wages 80 &c. There other circumstances which
II will take time for capitalist 10 overcome, hence th
need of governmental interference till capital can e.
azofnS Now, In the opinion OF Free Traders, Govern
m,nt might ss well step into any other gap ss that
mi III as well build hoases for all who want shelter
endorse notes tor all who want money. When th
other adverse circumstances get out OF the wsy AM
nothtna bat caps wanted 10 make any branch OF IN
dasuy profitable, capital will not need to wait on th
Government for eyesight 1t will SCI and seize the OF
portunity.'
We thank The ChroHofype for its concession
and for coming at TO close quarters Ii "a cor
ceded then that Il Is desirable that the Industry
Nation should be as diversified as practicable
that each Country should cherish and Prosecut
branches of Industry so numerous and SO vsrou
as TO afford constant employ nent for all its people
old and young. strong and feeble, awkward an
skilful, rich and poor. The end aimed at by III
Protectionists is good one the only dispute cor
Germs the means. The Chronoiype plants itself o
denial OF the policy and necessity of any Legis
latiye interference in the premises-on the assumE
tion that whenever It becomes desirable that new
art or calling shall be nstaralized then private en-
terpnse aad individual action-in short the IN
s,inctive ssgscity OF Capital--wi effect the de
aired contamination
The Free Trade theory here iorgets or denie
what appears to us plain and important truth
namely, that in the world as 1t exists around "a
the apparent, Immediate interest OF the indlvldus
il often at deadly variance with the real, endurin
good of the community. The trader who sdutei
stes Sugar with Sand or Flour with Bone'Dus
Knows perfectly well that such acts as bis are vi
terly incompatible with the highest general good
/, sufces him that they seem conducive to bis pei
sonal pecuniary advantage The keeper OF del
Of infsmy or OF gambling knows perfectly wei
that bis trade is a bad one for the public but
pays aim well, and be plies 1t heartily noswiih
standing. If il were true that each mans sense o
personal interest would induce HIM 10 act in TIT
manner most conducive to the pablo good, tnei
oar whole machinery Of Government is clumsy
impostare, and every man should be LETT 10 do ex
actly What is night ia bis own eyes even though
he put out thereby the eyes Of other people.
The Chronotype assumes 1t as matter OF course
that, ii il would be advantageous TO Illinois as q
State TO produce her own cloths, then cloth making
ia Illinois must be SAFE profitable business 10 the
manufacturer, in the absence Of any TasiH But