The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-09-13
From tle Baltimore .American.

The Tariff AND NATIONAL lNrEREsTs.-The
depression under which some important branches
of manufacture are now Frustrated is too well
known TO those concerned, and is quite obvious 10
the country generally. The iron interest is partic
ularly affected by the present system of ad vaorem
duties. We do not speak OF this interest from any
partiality towards the class OF men engaged in it,
but because il is interest widely extended,
important to the whole country, essential for the
supply of articles necessary to the public defence,
and to all vocations Of industry that il may fairly
claim 10 be regarded in an especial manner as ma
tional interest.
We took occasion not long since 10 point out the
deceptive nature Of the existing duties on iron,
which are so arranged as TO be high when iron is
high abroad, and cannot be imported 20 any great
extent and TO be low when the fall Of prices abroad
gives an impulse to importations, and when protec-
ton is really needed. period OF full prices, such
as occurred during the railroad mania in England
about the time Of the passage OF the present tariff
inducing large investments in the iron business,
may be succeeded by period Of depressed prices;
vet IL the protection which the tariff ostensibly
gives were steady and permanent, these fuctua-
tons in the European markets would not have the
disastrous effect upon our home establishments,
such as may be witnessed now IN all parts OF the
country.
AT a convention Of iron masters recently held in
Pittsburg, composed mostly of persons living in
Western Pennsylvania, II was stated by a commit
tee that during the years from 1912 10 1916 seventy
five new furnaces were erected in the counties
presented by them; and that since 1916 there have
becn hut three new furnaces built II the statistics
could be given of all the iron manuac turing estab
lisments that have lost money within the last few
years the exhibit would be, we fear, rather start
ling.
This is a subject of plain practical nature about
which there need be no party preJudices one way
or another. The manufacture Of iron Is not con
fined 10 any particular party nor 10 any sectional
locality nor those who use that useful metal
affected in the extent of their consumption of IL by
any political afinities. The rails upon which trains
of cars frcighted with merchandise, produce, or
passengers, move rapidly along; the strongly con-
structcd engines, specimens at once of beauty and
of mechanic skill; the farmers plough, hoe, and
.padc the builders nails all varieties in short, Of
useful implements made Of iron steel are not liza
bic 20 political designation; none OF them can be
called WING or Democratic But they may all be
American, and the country will be the better for 1t
when they are so
II is usual with the opponents Of the protective
noicv 20 exaggerate very much in reference 10 the
extent of projection asked for by the friends OF do
rnestc interests; and IL IL also usual to ascrbe all
the efforts made in behalf of the protective policy
90 the rasping avarce Of particular interests that
are stigmatized as desiring 10 make large profits
at the expense of the rest of the community When
motives are impugncd argument ceases, and there
l. no use for words There might be charity enough,
however, even among politicians TO admit the be-
lief that there are some who can support measures
of policy out of regard to national interests, al
though such a consideration might be novel in their
own counsels But with respect 10 the degree OF
protection now required by depressed manuiactur-
ing interests we arc satisfied that they desire not
80 much increase in the present rate of duties
as certainty dcfniteness, and stability In the APP
pIication Of them. This much they have right
10 claim and 10 expect