Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1850-09-04

convince politicians OF this country that she
understands her rights. and that she in
tends to maintain them. Deny US this
measure of Justice TO which we honestly
believe ourselves entitled listen 10 the sug
gestions OF the British Government turn
a deaf ear to all the complaints of our
people. and we shalt return back to them
with this humlialng but overwhelming
evidence, that our Legislation is controlled
and our policy dictated by British power
and arrogance. And unless have greatly
mistaken the character and temper Of the
people o. my State, they will exhibit to the
country, and make their representatives
feel, tha, there is place and a forum where
her influence will be felt, and her voice
will be heard-lhat place and that forum
is the baliof.bor.
We are told, sir, that.we ought to pur
chase the articles we want wherever we
can obtain them cheapest and best and
that if we can be furnished with iron in the
foreign market cheaper than we can pur-
chase it at home, we ough, so enjoy that
privilege, and not be restricted Dy the rev.
enue laws Of the country. Now, admitting
the truth Of the premises which are GER
tainly far from being correct-I still can
not see that sound policy would dictate the
course pointed out here. The wealth OF
and the prosperity Of a people,
must consist in the diversity and amount OF
their productive industry. A family might
be able, for instance, to'purchase the cloth
necessary for their clothing a, much
lower cost per yard than they could afford
10 spin and weave and finish the same ar
;icle for sale themselves yet should they
adopt this course, and remain idle them
selves in the meantime? Can not every
one perceive that they would be poorer in
the end than if they had made it within
themselves, and that they would have less
means left to furnish themselves with other
necessaries Of life! What is true Of this
family is equally so OF a nation, but in
greater degree, and on a more extended
scale.
But the assumption that moderate and
adequate protective duty enhances the price
10 the consumer, is utterly without founda-
ton, as can be fully demonstrated from the
history and experience Of our own, as well
as other countries.
| do not intend to travel over this ground,
as this branch Of the subject, would Of it.
elffurnsh material for more than an hours
speech, and has often been treated here and
elsewhere, with great ability. and is per-
|ectly understood by those whom repre-.
sent on this floor. Let gentlemen take
any one branch Of our manufactures, and
see whether the result Of pro,ection-l
'are not how high it may have been in
any given period Of ten years-has not
been TO materially reduce the price TO the
consumer. Look at the article OF cotton
abrics, and say whether the direct ,enden
y OF protection has not been to reduce the
'rlce to the lowest possible standard. |
inow no better Illustration OF this than the !
history Of the iron trade IN England. Du-
ing a period Of many years, the tariff
imposed by the British Government. upon
his article was so high as 10 amount al
most 10 total prohibition. Yet year after
'ear, the amount Of production was greatly
increased, and the price steadily fell until
was brought down 10 a point, about the !
'ear 1875. 80, where it could easily deiv
Ill competition from abroad when. with
great magnaain'ity, they greatly reduced
he duty, and threw open their ports TO
ree.trade almost in this article. The tariff
n England upon ton of bar-iron up to
bout 1926, was something like thirty two
iollars; yet, Notwithstanding, the price con-
tantly declined. What is true Of this, is
'iso true Of other branches, both there and
n this country. The certainty of market
invites capital, introduces competition, and
consequently greatly reduces the cost of
production and the amount in market and |
he number Of competitors always secures
he purchaser and consumer against extra
'agant and exorbitant prices.
will also refer very briefly to another
argument which never fails to be put for.
ward by the advocates of free irade-thal
protection operates detrimen,ally upon the !
interests Of agriculture. That we must, in
'lher words, take the manufactures OF Eng.
and, in order 10 induce them to take our
,readstufs, and that thus We open a for.
ign market for The produce Of our farms.
Let US examine this a little more closely,
md see what we make, as farmers, by this !
bargain.
In the year ls49, we exported about
wenty-two millions of dollars worth OF
oreadstufs. England and Ireland took Of
his con,o (ourfoon ro,ll;ons of dollars I'VE