Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-11-23
6eral0 Of the Gimcs
RHODE ISL AN D { R;
NEWPORT:

The American PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST
The intimacy of our commercial relations with
the United States, greatly enhances the inter-
est we feel in their political and party strug-
ylas The American Presidential contest, cs-
pecially, is rarely regarded in England with in
difference. Started, as the candidates gener-
ally are, as the representatives OF principles as
we'll as of parties, the election OF President
NAV be held to decide the ruling policy of the
States Government during his four years te-
nure of office. No great public question, how
ever, at present agitates the mind of America.
,sd the approaching Presidential election is
likely to be very tame affair.
The struggle will be betwacn Wings and
Democrats as such and the respective pollt-
oal creeds Of these two parties, who divide the
gross of public opinion in the United States,
are Of too mingled yarn to interest our sym
pa,hics greatly in the issue. The Wings gen
orally are Protectionists, and lovers of peace
she Democrats Free Traders, and fond of
"glory." Between them there is really not
much TO choose Both are hostile 10 England,
with this difference, that the Democrats would
fight us with troops, and the Wings with tar
IFS. Neither Of them, however, are likely TO
have their way Of it. The success Of General
Taylor, the Wing candidate, would not restore
the reign of commercial restrictions IN AmerI-
ca nor wouil the election OF Con Cass, the
man OF the LOCI Focos and The Ccilc natural
izcd citizens. be followed by an Invasion. We
are quite safe against both contingencies. he
Ieselt of diminished custom duties has been too
favorable TO encourage the W hlgs IN the al
tempt to undo what has been done and the
Irish cry is used up the moment the election
Ia decided. Tho recent election for the States
Legislatures having generally turned in favor
e tl..A thn lt
confidently anticipated by his supporters.
The only other candidate in the field, besides
Generals Taylor and Cass, is Mr. Van Buren,
whose chance of return is but mcagre. Mr..
SlsS---She ablest and honcstcst statesman
America possesscs--ahldes by his refusal TO be
pat in nomination., probably foreseelng that the
very recent adjustment Of the Mexican war for
bids the expectation of any candidate but sol
der going down with his countrymen. The
war spirit must have time to evaporatc before
simple civilian, however exalted his merit,
can venture to put in for the Presidency. This
il not the least bitter among the fruits Of Mex
icas conquest.-Lir1pool Mrory
Thr above probably speaks the sentiments of
a large portion of the English people and press.
lie idea that "lhe democrats would fight
them with their troops and the wings with
their tariffs" though 20 new one, is well ex-
pressed, and is quite significant Of the facts in
the case. We apprehend, however, that the
British manufacturers dread our tariffs more
than they do our troops, and that with these
the election of Gen. Taylor will be received
with a howl Of disappointment. The tariff of
1876 has proved emphatically British tariff;
under it, our workshop has been in England
and not at home under 1t, our importatlons OF
hardware, cutlery, cotton, woolen and fancy
goods, have been enormous-far greater than
the sale of articles manufactured at home
By some statistical tables recently published,
i, appears that the United States in 1887 pur-
chased more of England than any other two
natisns combined The ~oolen goods alone
purchased of England that year amounted
probably to more than thirty five millions of
dollars the raw material for these goods
probably threw out of It's Legitimate market not
less than eight or ten millions of dollars worth
of American wool, destroyed the market for
perhaps FIVE millions worth Of American labor,
and neuirazcd at least twenty millions Of
American capital. No wonder, then, that the
British press should dread our fighting them
with our tariff, as the British people have al
ways fought us. Every thing they purchase
Of us, excepting cotton (Which they must
have without duty in order TO compete with
France in the manufacturc) is charged with
discriminating duties in favor of their own col
onics or in favor Of their own home products.
They will not receive our wool, our tobacco,
or our breadstuiis Except in case Of lamne)
without the payment Of duty that leaves no
profit TO the American merchant and producer.
In short, under the present circumstances of
trade between the two counties, all the real
profit both Of import aud export Is made on the
British side while the balance of trade Is
largely against this country, we are weakened
in our resources by almost every ship that goes
md comes Our government will get lis eyes
open to the effect Of this policy, after a while
we feci confident; and then We shall have, by
.omnon consent, a system Of Protection that
will last - Boston RoH