The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-05
what they will bring, which is something below

WHAT they VIII orihS, WHICH 10 Soiho'iiS poioW
| cost
III there be whatsoever fluctuation in Europe,
he is bound 70 feel it, while his wealthy foreign
antagonist can easily dispense with any profits
for year or two, defy the worst, OF do his
best, when he has our ports open TO him as he
now has.
The same course has been pursued with our
great iron interest which, under proper protec-
ton, would be hardly second To any. With
this, likewise. is Intimately connected that of
coal Sugar is exposed TO the same evil influ-
ences, and too often has felt them; but probably
there could be selected no article of American
industry more germane 10 the present subject
in all its bearings than iron.
The ad palorent principle cannot, with any
degree of exactness or certainty, be applied to
this article.
As with sugar, SO with iron. Both most
prosper, in the long run, when the duties are
specific; not SO under the ad valorem system,
where, when they most need protection, they
have none; but the foreign commodities of the
same kind have it, and to their injury But
when prices are high, the protection they do
moi want is offered to them.
Both these interests have suffered greatly un-
der the present system The furnaces are com.
PEELED to stop, and are seized by the sheriff;
while, instead of making our own railroad iron,
we are buying it of foreigners in large quanti-
ties, by pledging in Europe the stock Of the
several companies.
Other, yes all, branches of American produc-
ton suffer. We are but parts of the same body,
and what hurts part must be felt by the
whole
Cotton and aooollen factories are compelled
10 slacken their speed, and diminish their ex-
penses i'll every way. Labor is not worth so
much, and cannot be SO well paid as under
tariff of specific duties.
The workman of the United States is forced
to work at low and declining wages, while his
employer struggles on to the point where en-
10 seek some other occupation, most generally
that of tiller of the soil Instead of being
consumer, he becomes producer of the neces-
sares of life
Supply and demand are the measure of each
other. The farmer can get higher price for
his produce when manufactures are prosperous,
there being more consumers and less producers;
and has, what is more, the best of all markets,
home market. We do not mean merely
neghboring market, which has been such
source of prosperity to farmers in the imme-
date vicinity of manufacturing places. but an
American market for the grower of wheat and
provisions of all sorts.
The high price of grain and provisions now
and then, since '46, are but exceptions to the
rule, and owing TO fortuitous circumstances,
famine and war.
To the article of ,oool, which is SO closely
identified with our manufactures, il is only ne
cessary, in passing, to allude.
1t appears, from recent statistics, that, SO
great has become the consumption of cotton in
this country, the competition of the home with
the foreign manufacturer tends greatly to the
advantage of the planter.
1t is also known that the business of manu-
featuring is no longer confined TO any particu-
lar section, but is gradually extending itself all
over our country-of course with more compe-
tition, but it is at home. Instead Of paying our
capital to foreigners, we but pass it from hand
to hand.
This is better understood than formerly by
our people, and they are daily becoming more
and more disposed to require of Congress
change in the existing system