Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-10-09
RICHMOND VA TUESDAY MORNING, OCTOBER g. ls4e

, Within this line is enclosed an Empire with
more resources than any other on earth; and
with hardy, honest, aud industrious people 10
develope them.
Even east of The Alleehanies and west OF
The Rocky Mountains, the soil and climate
would satisfy the most tas.idious But when
the mind aitemp 10 lake in The valley Of
The Mississippi, with its water power, lis
vast and fertile plains, its millions oil acres
OF rich and virgin soil, The myriads 81 hu-
man beings who are destined TO deyelope It's
vast resources-lke amount OF produce which
will Il Iat down its bosom, seeking mar
kel throughout The world; when we contemplate
all this, emotions OF contempt arise in our minds
a, the idea OF crowdins The agricultural products
CT such country upon home nsarksE and oil
combining lis resources within its own borders
The natural and inevitable effect OF establish
ing The protective policy, is oproduce res!ic'
lions upon commercial intercourse with foreign
powers II cannot be supposed that we can ex-
clude foreign importa ions with impuni'y. ny
no means. AS relala!ory measure they VIII
prohibit the introduction oil our surplus produce.
And can il be supposed, that TO enable few
interested manufacturers to make ten, fifteen, or
twenty per cen; upon The cap tai invested, @heh
the farmer does moi make mere Than from 'hfee
10 six, that we are to resort again 10 The prcle'
tive policy2 What are we 10 gain by trading
with each otherl
Lei us illustrate this policy. Suppose the Slate
OF New York should enact law, The tfec' oil
which would be 10 prevent our citiz.ns rom put
chasing any article whatever without The llmps
OF this State, or selling any article 10 be taken
therefrcm and The Legislature should assign IS
reason, that our ci;iz:ns woud become prospect
GUS happy, and rich, by trading with each other.
Again, suppose an old paitiar II, the father oil
many children, should collect them together 10
give advice well malured, and counsel, The result
OF much reflection.
He informs them that The cultivation IT The
soil is the natural occupation ut man; but that
they would become more ind.p ndsnt and happy
il portion OF them would uru their attention 10
manufacturing thus furnishing the rest home
mark.t The objection is urged, that they prefer
The cultivation OF the soil to The heated and UNI
wholts me atmosphere OF laclury or workshop;
and that their neighbors are already engaged IN
that business, afurding Them An opportunity OF
exchanging their surplus produce for aanufac-
,ured eno.s. Blu, The patriarch insists, that al
though for a period, The TAX would he somewhat
buldensome, 10 those who continued the culiva-
lion OF the soil, vel The result would be indepen-
dence, prosperity, and home marke', all flowing
from this trade with each other.
How absurd would such a policy be thought,
il adopted by Ibis State or the head OF family,
and il is equally prepos:erous when attempted BY
great nation like This.
a larmef may wish 10 purchase in this city,
soods manufactured in Europe; why should the
government, prevent him, assigning as reason,
that by obsrucling his wishes in this particular,
manufactures will spring up, and after lapse OF
years he can purchase similar articles in this
country. Why should the government force him
TO purchase in one place, when he wishes 10 pur-
chase in anolheI1
There are many considerations which should in
fuence US in establishing the doctrine OF free trade.
10 the first place il produces domestic tranquil
ly. There is no justice in the protective system,
and il will, consequently, produce dis abstraction
and discomfort, alternating The affections OF one
half our ciz.ns againsl The Union.
Free trade will induce foreigners 10 remove
restrictions from our commerce. Ii will intro
duce feelings OF amity and friendship among The
nations ofthe earth. II will disseminate the doc
lrines OF repnblicanisn, AMI hasten the day
whea The doctrines Of the Bible will be preached
~ the nations OF every land.