The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-07-06
THE REVULSION.

In discussing the tariff of 1886 during the last
session Of Congress the wing members insisted
that the relaxation of the British corn laws fur.
nshed no adequate motive for the reduction of the
duties on foreign manufactures, which they be-
leyed would soon be flooded over the country,
checking and eventually uprooting many great
branches Of domestic manufacture, creating BAL
ance Of trade against us, destroying our currency
and involving US in all the cmbarrassmcnts Of $40
So far however these fearful forebodings have not
been realized. The unprecedented famine in
Europe has disturbed the natural current of events.
The immense produce of the west in breadstuf
has found high prices and ready market The
edly much limited, and the balance of trade is en-
rching the country beyond any former precedent
This state of things is however entirely uneH
ampled. For quarter of century it j, believed
that 10 2Oths of the breadstuff consumed in Eng
land and Ireland has been the production Of their
own soil. The deficit has been supplied by other
neighboring states, within few hundred miles Of
her ports, and frequently ut prices which would
reduce the rates Of flour the west to four dollars
or less per barrel. To found asystem ofpolicy
upon accidental occurrences, such as famine
argues an objectionable weakness in those who
would adopt it. Such distressing events occur
seldom. We thus legislate with a view to the ex-
ception rather than the rule, Two or three years
of experience regret to believe may reverse the
present prosperous state Of our foreign exchanges
Even now the fields of Europe promise an exhu'
berance of production for the sustainance Of man
The cereal regions of the Union are about TO ylsid
the most abundant harvest. In consequence o.
the recent extraordinary demand, Hundreds Oh
thousands of acres more than last year have ocen
sown. The grippe Of famine is about to be relaxed
and succeeded by the overlooking horn OF plenty
Is it wild then to prophecy that within three years
in consequence of our diminished exports TO Ea-
rope, and the increased importation OF British
fabricks under the present free trade tariff mo
balance of trade will be against Us, and the nancn
left again to mourn the loss of that protective pol
lev by which alone in the ordinary course OF even"
we can ever expect to prosper The TOO tree u
PRODUCTION of foreign woollens Is even the Presen'
season working its effects upon the value OF mo
raw material which otherwise would bear hlgneT
price than for many previous years, while on tho
other hand, the prospect Of abundant crops On
both sides of the Atlantic threatens 70 reduce
breadstuffs to the old ruinous standard. The 70
Iyiumphe Of the enemies of protection which bJ
the aid of adventurous circumstances they havs
been enabled to keep up will soon end in q revui-
sion as sad as any which has hitherto occurred IN
our commercial relations with Europe To such
an event the war with Mexico is destined largely
to contribute. How little does it boot to the ooun-
ty if while we are drawing from Europe our mill
ions to supply her destitutiOn, tens Of millions o.
our resources year after year are swooPed into tO'
devouring malesrome Of a war which now 'eein'
Is endless, as it is unjust bloody and expensive