The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-14

country, and not an agricultural country she
really is, on very large scale, producing nearly
the amount necessary for her own consumption; or
if the deficiencies in her supply Of breadstuffs and
other agricultural products were made up exclu-
svely from this country, then, indeed, there might
be some in the idea Of the great value of this
market But II is well known that the average of
annual deficiencies is comparatively very small,
and that il is supplied by contributions from all
other European grain-producing countries, as well
as from this country, and that this country comes
in for very small share Of it-so small not to
weigh as a feather in the scale. when compared
against the magnitude of the loss which would be
sustained in the home market by the adoption Of
the free-trade system
II will be observed that in order TO test the prin
ciplc of free trade, the views before set forth
based on the hypothesis of no duties whatever being
imposed on the importation of foreign manufactures,
not even for revenue; and on this hypothesis II
would seem to be too paable to admit of the least
doubt in any rational mind, that in the absence Of
such duties, without any protection whatever,
the manufacturers this country, with the assumed
and generally conceded difference against them of
from thirty five to forty per cent? would not be able
to stand but their total prostraton would inevita
bly, follow. This consider to be the true mode Of
bringing this question TO proper test.
If it be true that American manufacturers could
not stand the competition with foreign manufac-
turers without protection to some extent then it fol-
lows of course that American manufactures must be
less affected, more or less prosperous
cording to the degree of protection afforded; and
it then becomes subject Of proper and legiti
mate inquiry what that protection should be. That
the protection at present afforded is entirely in
adequate, is manifestly proven from the fact that
such manufactures have been in languishng
condition, and that considerably 30, for series of
years past; and at this time in depressed
condition than at any previous period, owing in
part it is true, to the present high price Of the
material which is about double what il was year
ago; whilst the manufactured articles have not add
vanced twenty five per cent, owing chiefly to the
immense stock OF low priced foreign goods with
which the country has lately been flooded; from
which it would seem that the foreign manufacturer,
with his half starved paupcr labor, has been able to
withstand the late and present great disproportion
between the prices Of manufactured articles and the
price of the raw material much better than the
American manufacturer
In conclusion, permit me to remark, that il is
IDENTIFY to be hoped that you will combine your
exertons to present all the facts connected with
this important question fully and fairly to the pub
lie mind and if you should do So that you may
be enabled to make on il a decided and saluiary
impression, and such as may eventuate in just
conception and appreciation Of the true course of
policy which ought to be adopted, in order to pro-
mote the general prosperity of the country by fos
tering and sustaining each and every branch Of its
industry. vIRGINIAN.