Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1849-11-10
Gen. 8, CamerOn'S Letter.

uCIis D. CtHAtlUh
We give below, as a political curiosity,
the letter of Simon Cameron to Judge
Shaler, in which he continues to advocate
the doctrine of Protection and Specific
Duties, both of which have been long since
abjured by the party with which Mr..
Cameron and his friends, with strange
/ inconsistency, still act:
MIDDLETON Sept. 10Th, lS49.
Ny DEAR SIR Very cordially thank you
for your friendly attention IN the TRANSMISSION
of the Pittsburgh Mercury wherein some nc
tice is taken Of Pennsylvania Interests, con-
nected with my name, while d member of the
u ). Senate.
avail myself of the occasion 10 express the
hope, that as the signs of the times portend
a discussion OF the tariff, during the approach
ing session OF Congress, there may be no ex-
element, no party prejudices, or other false
issues raised to influence the legislative mind
of the country towards the adoption CT mea-
sureS adverse to the general interest.
The tariff policy is of momentous Importance
to all the great industrial pursuits of our coun-
try. The public good is the rule by which
we should be guided in the performance of re-
gisature should invariably direct all its deli
berations. AT an early day, | took lessons in
the school CT Simon Snyder on this very ques-
ton Of protection to the infant manufactures
of the Union; and time has bad effect to
change my views and wishes, which have been
expressed in the Senate, in favor OF the per-
manent establishment of home market, as the
only solid basis Of national prosperity: And
here | may add, it is very remarkable that all
the Democratic governors of this Common
wealth, down to Governor Skunk, have maIn-
tanned ground in favor Of protection TO home
labor. Nine consecutive messages Of Governor
Snyder are text books 10 sustain and cheer the
sound portion Of our Democratic friends, who
will not surrender to the free trade doctrines
of British capitalists.
- We must command our own consumption
and the means OF our Defence" has been the
sentiment Of Pennsy lvania from the dawn Of
independence. And as a freeman, born upon
the soil, may be permitted to regard, with no
ordinary solicitude, the onward prosperity OF
the iron, coal and agricultural interests 0t this
State.
The new settlements being opened up IN the
far West, embracing the Territories of Texas,
California and Oregon, must OF necessity liz
crease the surplus produce OF the soil. Upon
foreign countries our farmers can never depend
with certainty for permanent profitable mar
ket. Ii is therefore the safest and wlscst poll
cy 10 create home market for the farmer, by
encouraging domestic manufactures, under
such revenue laws as shall secure to the Amer.
ican mechanic the rewards of his labor in his
own market. Let the pauper labc Of "arora
continue but few years to fi0oc =. country
with the productions Of foreign workshops, and
= ~, Al,
which we may be guided IN our deliberations
on this subject, then venture to predict that
all the leading interests of Pennsy yIvania and OF
the Union-the iron. the coal, the salt, the
wool, the flax, the hemp, the paper, the hat,
tie sugar, and the gunpowder manufactures,
with others TO tedious too mention, will be en-
tirely ruined through the length and breadth
of the land.
The doctrine of " let trade regulate ITSELF"
is beautifully illustrated, il it were net de-
structIVs in its effects, by the present condl-
ton Of the couatry importing Immense guam
titles of Britis iron, although we have at home,
the raw material in abundance, industrious
and skllful mechanics, and ample capital to
command our own consumption in this re-
spect. With these facts staring US in the tace,
IS It any thing short of an insane policy to
preach up free trade 10 benefit the overgrown
money changers of Great Britain, thereby
working injury to American labor. | feel
lively senslbliltY on this subject, and whether
] am in error or not, freely state to you that
look upon the permanent and prosperous es-
tabIishment OF free labor, in this country, as the
most effectnal means, in the mysterious opera
tons Of political events, 10 Subvert the thrones
of heirarchies and despots upon the continent OF
Europe, and 10 elevate the masses of equal
rights and rational liberty, the destiny of man
kind
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 Ameri-
can industry, on grounds of patriotism. We
must be wholly independent of foreign sup
plies; American labor must not be sacrificed
to feed the squalId operatives of Great Britain.
Accept assurances of my sincere regards
Your friend, &c. SIMON CAMERON.
Hon. Charles Shalcr, Pittsburgh.
Collision ON THE COLUMBIA RAILROAD
About o'clock on Thursday afternoon, ser-
Al a.. # .fa Il