Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-10-07

enabled TO make the world tributary 10 her
interests and to build up her mighty fabric
of wealth and power. But one result, not
quite so agreeable has attended that system;
"A population excessive and disproportion-
ed to her territory, for whom employment
and subsistence must be found. To this
state OF things, her modern theory is better
adapted, as 1t Is calculated TO deter Other ma
tions from entering into a competition with
her workmen; and her writers ask us To
permit her To supply us with her manufNc-
lures, very much on her own terms, If she
has the monopoly, and that we shall pay for
them, AS long as we can, in raw materials
for her workshops and in such agricultural
products as she may not raise, and which
we may he able to afford to her cheaper
than her immediate neighbors-to whom
she offers the same terms; aud trade thus
limited and restricted, is called free trade.
These views are adopted also by our inn
porting and exporting merchants and by the
owners of ships, for the obvious reason that
by such a system they may levy contrbu-
tons from the producers, on both sides, in
the shape of ffeights forth and back of
profits on imported articles, commissions Oh
sales of exports and on advances, and like
operations. This interest, although main
tanned at the expense of producers and me-
chanicS, of course finds its advocates.
Such are the extreme views on the one
side. and the reasons and grounds which re-
ally induce their support, whatever may be
the distractions of political economists and
the professions of philanthropy urged in
their behalf.
On the other side there are also extreme
views which would confne our agricultu-
raj products almost exclusively to Il home
market and which would iacutously create
aud maintain such a market by high houn.
ties on our own manufactures in the shape
of prohibitory duties upon foreign fabrics,
or of heavy and excessive mposts upon
them, without reference to the amount of
taxes required for the purposes OF govern
ment, or 10 the interests of commerce and
navigation. Perhaps there are few who
would push thoir views to this extent; but
propositions are sometimes advocated which
would lead TO such result. These PROPOSE
tons come from manufacturers, who like the
other classes referred TO, have an eye that con-
fines its range to their own peculiar interests
Having never been partizan on either
side, and having no interest present or pros
peclve to crafty, in the decision of this
question, feel that can approach it with
out prejudice, or any other bias than that
which may bc caused by the love of my own
country, lis interests aud its people, III pref
erence to all others. 1t is not apprehended
that political party feelings can he wounded
by frank, open and candid discussion of
the subject 1t is not party question, II IS
in fact local one. States known for their
support of one party, are equally wen known
for their adherence to what some choose 10
call the American System, and prominent
individuals of the other party, are Known to
he hostile to that system. But | go farther,
aud deny the right Of politicians TO seize
upon topic of universal interest and APP
propriate il To eectioneering purposes
The great mass If the people have interests
which are superior to the ephemeral sue
cess or defeat of party leaders, and they
should not suffer themselves 10 he cnmpcll-
ed 10 take one side or another, when the
truth may perchance he found between both.
And have the less reluctance 10 engage in
this discussion, after the example of the
DISTINGUISHED man whose address was read
10 YOU al your last anniversary. The ten
denc, of that address was TO favor the ex-
trene Southern view which has been cXhlb-
tied to YOU, and to convince you that your
reliance for the purchase and consumption
Of the uiod"ct, Of your farms, should be
upon - foreign market | am quite sure
that YOU are not only willing but DESTROYS to
hear an examination Of the grounds OF that
opinion. conducted with all the respect for
great merit and high talent, " hich the occn-
sion demands, aud which long association
and the most agreeable personal relations
have deeply impressed upon me. And
am eauaify confident that no name, however
DISTINGUISHED, can cast any shadow over
vour field of vision, which your penetration
will not not dis~ipate.
The author of The last years address com
bats The IDEA of an erctuslUe domestic mar
kct for your agricultural abundance. IN
this / heartily agree with him. The narrow
and sordi4 policy of China and Japan, is as
destructive Of industrial and social interests,
as il j. hostile to all civilization and inn
provement.
But the address referred to, goes much
farther. II urges the paramount Importance
of the foreign market, seeks 20 show the
inter imprDhahlRy of adequate home con-
sumption, aud advocates those reciprocal
commercial arrangements, lately 50 much
eulog-cd by English writers, winch wIll adj
MAJ into the respective countries, free OF du-
~, The agricultural products OF one and The
manufactures Of the other. although this
Is not distinctly ayOwed, yet ] think that
there can bc 10 mistake that such - the
impression produced on the mind by the
tenor of that address. 81 al events, this
is the doctrine " hich mean 10 cpntc-t, and
if il be not that Of the address referred 10, 50
much the better.
Yon need not be told that this system If
reciprocal commercial arrangements, ~ 9th
er words Free Trade, would be- the inevitn-
lle death-blow to most Of our manufactures,
aud would prevent the establishment Of 9th
ers, so long ~ the system continued. he
consequence would be-, and that Is what Is
intended IS il adpocute- among us, that our
chief aud main reliance for the percha,c Of
oar agricultural products must be 90 foreign
markets: AMI 10 this wc are to be compelled
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