The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-08
proteetlon anna NO pro,ee,ion.

ne application made 10 our Government
by the British Minister, in behalf of Canada,
relative 10 the reciprocal admission of the natu-
raj products of the United States and Canada,
free of duties, into the territories of both eoun-
tries, suggests some comments which it might
not be out of place at this time to consider.
Canada, under colonial relations, and the
United States, independent, present in their
respective conditions very striking Illustrations
Of the different results of the policy which
on the one hand encourages manufacturing in
dustry in a country, and the policy which, on
I the other, confines people TO the labor of pro
ducing raw materials by preventing them from
engaging in manufactures. Between Great
Britain and Canada free trade exists. and it
exists TO degree Of perfection that ought to
satisfy the most ultra champion of the free
trade theory. In our own country, there has
always been, since the time of the first Con
gress, system of duties on imports more or
less discrminative. There have been variations
in the system; sometimes it has been adequate
for protective purposes, and sometimes made
quate-in all instances of the latter however
the country has suffered.
| Under the general policy Of our Government
upon this subject, system Of manufactures has
grown up, which, beginning at the North, has
extended itself towards the South and West
and Southwest; so that, in fact, the system at
this moment, to greater or less degree, is
spread throughout the whole country. Canada
has no manufactures England supplies her
with manufactured articles; and the free-trader
may congratulate Canada upon being 50 sup
piled, because England can manufacture upon
cheaper terms than the provincals couldn't
least for the present and for some time to come
The British government, not allowing man
ufactures to grow up In Canada, gave protec-
ton TO Canadian labor in another way While
protecting its own agricultural interest at home
by duties upon foreign grain and breadsluffs, il
permitted the easy introduction Of Canadian
produce 80 long as this policy lasted the
farmers Of Canada enjoyed great advantages,
and their loyalty was in proportion. The CO
lonial shipping interests were also favored by
the navigation laws of Great Britain. Never
theless, the condition Of the colony, though
quiet, was not progressive, except in very
slow way and was hardly to be distinguished
from state of stagnation. This order of
things continued in Canada until the repeal by
the British government of its corn laws and its
navigation laws. Protection was. by the re-
peal Of those laws, Withdrawn from the agricul-
tural industry Of Canada, and she lost her adj
vantages in foreign market, without having
been able TO create one at home by the estab-
lishment of manufacturing pursuits.
The industrial history and progress of that
portion OF the United States contiguous to Can
ada, where manufacturing industry under our
protective policy became most thoroughly do
INVESTIGATED and fixed-we mean the States of
New England-are so well-known. that to the
mind of every reader the materials of contrast
with Canadian history and progress will not be
wanting.
Canada, having no manufacturing population,
could have no home market for her agricultural
produce, because the great mass Of her people
were engaged in the same pursul--that Of
growing agricultural products. Her depend
encc upon a foreign market, by the favor Of
distant government. has left her, now that the
favor has ceased, without home or a foreign
market; and her condition is most deplorable
Hence dscontents, loud complaints, exhibitions
of disloyalty. movements that look towards in
dependcnce-these are the symptoms now gar-
ingly apparent north of the Lakes
In this state of things, England, not willing
10 lose her colonies. yet constrained TO deprive
them Of privileges in her own corn market.
seeks to obtain for the Canadas, in the market
Of the United States, advantages which may
afford some compensation, even If they might
not be a full equivalent, for the loss Of discrim-
mating favors in her own. The proposition TO
our Government is, that there shall be recipro-
city in the free exchange or transmission Of the
products Of both countries. one with the other.
But inasmuch as we should have but little oc-
cason 10 seek market in Canada for our
breadstuffs other products, the inequalities Of
the proposed reciprocity were so obvious, that
the profier Of the free navigation of the ST.
Lawrence was thrown in as a special induce
ment in the negotiation.
We shall not undertake to express our views
just upon the merits OF this proposal; our
purpose is simply to point to the origin Of it,
to the cause from which it emanated. The
| people Of Canada complain. says late number
of BIacL1oood. ''that England's policy. in de-
stroying manufacturing interests in the colonies
has deprived them Of a home market such as The
farmers Of The United States hare got" England
wishes TO procure access for Canadian produce
TO this market-this home market Of ours. built
up by our manufacturing industry.
! The whole issue between the principles Of
protection and no protection to manufacturing
industry is involved, illustrated, and decided, by
the results of colonial experience in Canada on
the one side, and the industrial experience Of
this free republic, with its system of duties. on
the other. II there had been no system Of du-
ties established by our Government at the be-
ginning; if the theory and policy Of open ports
and no protection had prevailed then. and had
continued until now we should be at this time
under colonial relations TO England 20 such
degree rs to render our independence as nation
! little better than nominal. independence in a
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