The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-02-14
A FREE TRADE NUT.

Massachusetts, has nearly 100000 inhab-
itan,s; is rich in labor, wealth and prosperi-
ty-her people are all producers and manu-
.acturers. They live in peace and plenty,
aud command the attention Of the people
not only ofsister States, bu. of foreign coun-
tries also. Ofthem, her people buy the rdr
material, and manufacture all they consume,
profit by their own industry, reap the earn
ings ofthose who bow to their skill aud en-
terprise, pocket the interest upon all their
own and much of their neighbors' capital.
draw within her borders the cream Of enter
prise, talent and learning. and reward all
according to their dues, owing the warld
around them nothing, aud see with clear
and uneloaJed vision naught but success
ard prosperity ahead.
Why is this? Thus
She pays Sl,25 for bushel Of wheat, and
gives in pay 25 yards Of brown sheeting at
S cents per yard. She pays 60 cents for a
bushel Of corn, and gives in pay yard o.!
super sa,inet She pays Sl2 for barrel
Of beet. and gives in pay 6 yards Of super
broadcloth.
Now take Western State-lllinois, for
instance. She is rich in labor, natural soil.
and heavens elements Of prosperity. Her
people are all producers from the soil, but
nothing from manufactures. They live in
iear OF crowded corn markets, and accept
Of tho purchase Of her commodity By people
of sister States as boon Of gratuity. Of
others she buys all her manufactured goods,
expends the profits OF her own labor in
transportation charges out and in, loses her
surplus capital, wastes her enterprise, tai
en-, and learning, owes every body, rewards
none beyond a bare living, and hangs upon
the future withou, anything but hope.
Why is this? Thus
She sells wheat at go cents bushel, and
takes pay in 6 yards Of shectingat lOccn,s
per yard. She sells corn at 20 cents II
bushel, and takes her pay in satine,s at the
rate of $3.50 per yard. She sells beef at
Si per barrel, and takes her pay in one yard
ofbroadcIo,h.
Well, what now? Simply this the ag-
ricalturst in Massachusetts receives %
v ards Of sbee,ing for bushel of wheat,
while the Illinoisinn receives but o.; the
difference is, gay 300 to 400 per cent. The
first receives yard Of good satinet for a
bushcl of corn; the latter one-seventh of a
yard or difference of 600 to 700 pet cent,
The first receives 6 yards of broadcloth for
barrel of beef, while the latter gets only
one yard; or a difference of 600 per cent.
But, says knowing one, the Massachu-
se,ts man cannot raise the bnshel of wheat,
corn, &c, to buy the 400, 500, or GEO per
cent. more in difference! For the sake OF
argument, grant it, if you please, that he
cannot equal you. Yet his own family, his
son, and his daughter, receive more profit
for their labor in manufacturing the 20
yards that bought one bushel Of wheat from
you. than you did in growing one bushel
for the six yards you receire, by 2oO per.
cent; while the difference between the in
trinsic worth Of the six yards you receive,
and the l2 yards they paid for the same
amount Of sustenance in each case, IS the
real meat of the nut yon have, or soon
must crack; and you will find il in the hands
Of politicians, spectators, and freight or
transit men.
In other words, bring machinery and
customers to tend them, to your own town,
manufacture your own goods, md you, too,
will receive IS yards Of sheeting for a
bushel Of wheat; for the wheat will have
advanced in price, having plenty Of custom-
ers near By, while the sheeting, having no
freieh. and spectators fees 10 paw, can be
had for five cents.-.N Y. Merchants
Ledger.