Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-10-13
Pittsburgh, Oct 2, 1si9.
GEN. s. CAMERON'S LETTER.

MTppLETowN, Sept Goth, lS49.
My DEAR rR:-very cordially thank
you for your friendly attention in the trans
mission of the "Pittsburgh Mercury" where
in some notice is taken of Pennsylvania in
terests, connected with my name while a
member of the U. S. Senate.
avail myself of the occasion to express
the hope, that as 'he signs of the times"
portend discussion Of the tariff, during the
approaching session of Congress, there may
be no excitement, no party preludices, or
other false issues raised TO influence the le-
gislaiive mind of the country towards the
adoption of measures adverse TO the general
interest.
The tariff policy is of momen,ous impor-
tance TO all the great industrial pursuits of
our country The public good is the rule by
which We should be guided in the perfor-
nance of relative duties; and TO this central
point the Legislature should invariably direct
all its deliberations AT an early day, took
lessons in the school Of Simon Snyder on this
very question of protection to the infant man
ufactures of the Union; and time has had no
effect TO change my views and wishes, which
have been expressed in the Senate, in favor
of the permanent establishment of a home
market as the only solid basis of national
prosperity. And here, may add, it is very
remarkable that all the Democratic COVER
nors of this Commonwealth down to Gov.
Skunk, have maintained ground in favor of
protection to home labor. Nine consecutive
messages of Gov. Snyder are text books TO
sustain and cheer the sound portion of our
Democratic friends, who will not surrender
to the free trade doctrines of British capita
lists.
'We must command our own consump-
ton and the means of our Defence" has been
the sentiment of Pennsylvania from the dawn
of independence. And as freeman, born
upon the soil, may be permitted TO regard
with no ordinary soliciiude, the onward pros
perity of the iron, coal, and agricultural in
terests of this State
The new settlements being opened up in
the far West, embracing the Territories of
Texas, California and Oregon, must OF neces-
sty increase the surplus produce of the soil
Upon foreign countries our farmers can never
depend with certainty for a permanent prof.
table market 1t is therefore the safest and
wisest policy to create home market for the
farmer, by encouraging domestic manufac-
lures, under such revenue laws as shall Sc
cure TO the American mechanic the rewards
of his labor in his own market. Let the pau
per labor of Europe continue but few years
TO flood our country with the productions of
foreign workshops, and if the past history of
the world furnish facts by which we may be
guided in our deliberations on this subject,
then venture to predict that all the leading
interests of Pennsylvania and Of the Union
the iron. the coal, the salt,sihe WOOL the fax,
the hemp, the paper, the hat, The sugar, and
the gunpowder manufactures, with others too
tedious 10 mention, will be entirely ruined
through the length and breadth of the land
The doctrine of 1et trade regulate ITSELF"
is beautifully illustrated, if it were not de-
structive in its effects, by the present condi-
ton of the country importing immense guam
titles of British iron, although, we have at
home, the raw material in abundance, indus
trious and skilful mechanics and ample capi-
tai to command our own consumption in this
respect With these facts staring us in the
face is it any thing short of an insane policy
to preach up free trade, TO benefit the over
grown money changers OF Great Britain,
thereby working injury TO American labor, |
feel lively sensibility on this subject, and
whe,her am in error or not, freely state TO
you, that look upon the permanent and pros
porous establishment of free labor, in this
country, as the most efectual means, in the
mysterious operations of political events, to
subvert the thrones of herarchies and des-
pots upon the continent of Europe, and to
elevate the masses TO equal rights and ra-
,ional liberty the destiny of mankind.
These views incline me TO hope, that every
man who is anxious for the welfare of our
good old Commonwealth and for the integrity
of the union, will stand up for protection OF
American industry, on grounds of patriotism
We must be wholly Independent of foreign
supplies; American labor must not be sacri-
feed 10 feed the squalid operatives of Great
Britain.
Accept assurances of my sincere regards
Your friend, &c.
SIMON CAMERON.
Hon. CHARLES SHALER, Pittsburgh,
4 DEATH OF EDGAR A. PoE,--Edgar A. Poe
S Esq, the distinguished American poet, scho