The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-05
Triumph OF British Capital over American
Industry.

We believe it is an undenable fact, that the
British manufacturers combine 10 sacrifice an
amount of 4 particular article necessary to break
down competition in a foreign market. They
then fix their own prices, and are amply in
Identified for the temporary loss by perma-
nent monopoly. 1t is the policy under which
Napoleon would waste regiments upon torlorn
hope, or upon which an omnibus proprietor runs
off all opposition that he may fix his own fare.
Since the protection of American iron has
been taken off, the British manufacturers have
applied all their energies TO destroy the iron in
terests of America. Immense quantities of sur
plus railroad iron, made in anticipation of an
unlimited extent of railroads, have been ship
ped 10 the United States, and sold almost
as low as the raw material can be afforded
there. The iron interests have struggled
resolutely against the cruel abandonment
by the power which warmed them into being
They could not believe that Congress would
permit one hundred and twenty millions Of
property in Pennsylvania TO be destroyed for
want OF protection, any more than it would
permit one hundred and twenty millions of
value invested In the slaves Of Virginia to be
impaired by any abolition legislation We stated
few days since thatthrce hundred and nineteen
out OF FIVE hundred and four iron establishments
in Pennsylvania had suspended. Our friends in
the South were, no doubt. ncredulous. Some
thought. perhaps. that they stopped for effect;
some that they had not stopped at all. Like the
distant reports Of the cholera, the evil was not
realized because there were nv cases amongst
themselves. We now regret that this mortality
amongst the iron establishments is spreading
it is becoming endemic We copy from the
Richmond JVhig an account Of the suspension
Of certain iron works in that city and its vicin-
ity. We consider it significant. that no iron
establishments can subsist without protection.
These establishments have abundant supplies
Of ore and fuel. Slave labor is employed TO a
considerable extent. These iron-works re-
ceiye their supplies by the James River
Canal, and ship their manufactures with
out expense. We think these suspensions af-
ford a palpable proof that no manufactures Of
iron can subsist without protection. What a
lesson does it teach Nirginians Let them reflect
upon its consequences. Here is an important
interest struck down by the policy Of their Loco
ioco politcians-the rsry Representatives of these
iron-,corks participating ia die policy that de-
drOls them. Hero is an annual demand for
four thousand tons Of domestic pig iron extin-
guished Here is customer annually requir-
ing two hundred thousand bushels Of coal. al
most at the pit mouths Of Chesterfield and Pow
hatan. who retires from tho market.
The interior Of Virginia is making every eff
fort 10 construct improvements for the develop
ment of its mineral and metallurgic capaci-
ties. The magnificent canal. which stretches
from tide water to the heart of the Allegheny
is expected to transport the products OF the
forge and furnace. IT the iron Of Wales is de-
livered almost without duty in the ports Of the
United States. how can the raw material Of
Virginia he required We suppose that
other consequences must follow this paralysis
Of the manufacturing industry " there be
no demand for iron. and the consumption of
coal be diminished, then we suppose the value
Of slave labor will be TO that extent reduced the
domestic demand for the supplies ofpig iron will
he destroyed. the cause Of internal improvement
discouraged. Every industrial interest must
sympathize The blow struck at the mauuiac
turing interests Of the country will vibrate
throughout the Union. We add the appeal Of
the Richmond JVhig 10 the common sense and
the common interests OF the country. II will
be seen that Pennsylvania is not the only suf
ferer.
{" How IT woRKs.--we understand that the Ar
mory Iron Works Of this city, and the Manakin
Iron Works, about twelve miles distant, have both
put out their fires and discharged their workmen;