The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-01-15

PHrLADELpHIA. january IL, 1855

PHILADELPHIA, January IL, 1850.
In my last characterized the tone and style Of the
report OF the Secretary OF the Treasury Objectionable
and 10 some extent liable 10 the charge Of plagiarism
Now, as to the subject-matter:
The burden OF the report other than the array OF
figures, computations and estimates, is dissertation
upon the elements OF national wealth. particularly capital
and labor; treating in connexion with il, agriculture
and commerce putting in plea for protection, and min
Cling with these elements much statistical information,
but discussed N so general manner as 70 make !. am
whole, with any true principle OF political economy.
As to capital he says. IN one part Of bis report we are
deficient in that and immediately amer u
purposes Again, in one paragraph, he ucharacterzes
capital as antagonist labor-so much to destroy
IT, vitality and p placing laoo, y ~
places them In harmony labor not only the ally
OF capital but states in terms, that capital owes its very
eristencso the accumuations OF labor Well sirs let us
leave all these Inconsistencies. and ask ourselves the
plain question Can legislation Hansr, change, trans
mute he immutabe principles upon whi trade and hui
net There is no remedy there, and Congress cannot
pass enactmenis changing the relations OF human inter
ests. Then why trouble, Congress with such CON-
menary upon the array OF 80 many usms and faacies
In report on the finances!
The primary object appears 10 be- TO advocate protec
ton to the manufacturer by suggesting such mode ~
duties on imports as 10 force the at home TO
depend entirely upon the domestic manufacturer for his
supplies 7. l. IA y
make this palaabe to the consumers. who are also
The producers the allacy OIL the home market for bis
products is placed before him IN the most allung and
THIS is THE WHOLE PHILOSOPHY OF THE REPORT, set
out with great ability and force. without asking for the
restoration Of the , tariff q s4a = the
Let first look at the temptation held out-the home
market.
sister OF agriculture this is OF the most attract
,ps glossy and SEDUCTIVE i s the last patent invention
f. he y
gushed from ! The market OF the rest OF the world
Who 60 to the home market Twenty millions q
people Who 60 to the markets Of the world! Eight
hundred millions and more. well these twenty mil
lions To the benefit OF how many OF our people does
the home market ultimately contribute! Scarcely half
million; whilst the markets OF the world contribute 70
nineteen and half millions Of our citizens and the half
million besides
To scaom is this alternative offered To the people Of
staple. (cotton) upon which hall the trade Of the
world is based; who possess the greatest grand
rss for raising food Of all kinds on the face Of the
81 ali Europe whose tonnage. or navigation inter-
est is second only that Of England who have
tensive board Of some five thousand meshe largest
commerce, extending through chain Of the largest fresh
water the face Of the eartharge navigable rv
ers, with numerous afuents, and bays, and sue esfua
ries, and artificial extensive arteries of trade all pene
rating from the circumference the centres OF cont
nent opening the products OF the richest and most var
soils, mines, and forests to the markets OF the world
These the natural and other advantages OF the peo
pie to whom this alternative is offered.
Let glance at the character destiny OF the nation
to whom il is offered
Clearly its Duty genius, and institutions place il in the
advance of LIBERAL enlarged and enlightened policy; and
turn with and contempt from the narrow
raced and selfish idea THAT ONE NATION CANNOT FLOUR
BH EXCEPT THE EXPENSE or ANOTHER; whose motto
is free radereedom OF the seasreciprocity OF trade
and exchange with all nations; whose population is
principally composed OF agrcutnrsts and whose mar
thine population is to 100 OF the whole population
in fine pose agriculture and hare added ftcen
fy States 10 the onfedsracy and built up all our pr
epal cities, and whose destiny is to be the HARBNcER
FREEDOM, HAPPINESS, DOMESTIC COMFORT, AND chris
TIAHrrY, TO ALL THE WORLD.
And these are the people who asked TO travel back
two centuries. and contract itself into narrow and
selfish circle OF home protection, and ibera policy OF
restrictive dutes-thus dvorcng itself from the COM
merce OF half the elobe-a in furtherance OF prineps
based upon that passion, the deadest and most unreen
heart-covEToUsNEss.
Such course Of administrative policy as appears to be
recommended in the report is the worst possible which
could be pursued and based upon the least valued prn
cipes as respects all of.door interests and has
already been productive OF baneul influences at home,
by weakening the compromises upon which this govern
ment is built, occasloning inequality OF taxatlon-the
fruitful Of many Of the angry debates in Congress
since the formation OF the government, and alternating
section from section Of the confederacy.
The policy plain and manifest. when Invested OF
the prejudice and PRIDE Of opinion that appear saked IN
the auestonthatis to harmonias the grsai branches The
industry of the country; and, when harmonzed. TO send
the proceeds OF agricultural, mining, and manuac
turing abors by the aid Of large and increasing nav
CATION, into the MARKETS OF THE WORLD. The govern
men OF the Union aid this great work by system
OF equal duties imports high possible to command
the necessary revenues and let such duties be pERNA
Nrsr as the shifting affairs Of trade will possibly admit
Abandon all patent schemes TO the power TO raise
revenue TO base and ignobie ends.
So much for the policy advocated in the reports and
next for the figures and financial part.