Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-04-10
Written for the Eastern Times.
The Protective Policy.
A glance at our Merchants Marine and on
Politics, in time past and to come.

MR. EDITOR Under free political system
like that of the United States, it is obviously
as inevitable as it is necessary that the people
should be divided in opinion on some of the
most prominent questions of policy; and that,
consequently, they should arrange themselves
in opposite ranks, constituting two great polit-
ical parties. This is unqnestionably healthy
and good, not only for the balancing Of legis-
lation and the conservation of the great utter
ests of free government, but, for the promo
rion of true social and political progress. And,
although these parties may at times appear to
entertain great reciprocal animosity and indulge
in bitter invective towards each other, and in
dividuals may attach themselves to either par
ty. whose principles and purposes are adverse
to the geaeral good, for there is no possbili-
Of excluding dernagogues and the seekers OF
mere self aggrandzement from either party, yet,
# must ,,e most obvious to every candid and high
minded obs "rver, that, in this country, re points
at issue betwee \ the two leading political parties,
do not involve .aestion Of the great essential
prlpc;ples on which our Republican Instita-
tions aae founded. If 20 preJndiced Partizans
it sometimes seems to be otherwise, and the
patriotism of an opposing par,v Is doubted oy
those Of limited views, it will, neve, ,theiess, be
found that the majority of 10th parties ar good
men. who have single eye TO the best intt~r-
ests Of their country, and that their differences
are mainly on questions of policy, and ques-
tions which are and must ever be changing
with the changing condition of our ever on
ward and vastly progressive community.
The most wise and patriotic policy for one
generation, or one stage Of our local or nation
development, may, therefore, prove quite I'M
suited to the promotion Of our best Interests in
another, and our abIest statesmen can be formed
only by careful study of these changes, and
the fluctuating interests of onr people conse-
~quent on such changes. With that breadth
and forecast of view which will not only ap-
preciate clearly present circumstances, but pen
citrate through them to the future, we must ex-
pect the true patriot TO vary his position from
time to time with regard to some questions Of
national policy. Every party may be expect
ed TO embrace some persons of that constitu-
tional immobility which will prevent their ever
changing, though every thing around them
changes, but this will not be the case with
those most true to the interests of their coun-
try.
To any mind which has observed the work
ings of our political system and parties, and,
from practical point of view has studied the
changing phases Of our social and commercial
condition for the last forty years, the truth Of
the foregoing views WILL we think, be mani
fest the result Of which has been, a modi6ca-
tion, from time to time, Of the Judgment and
the political conduct Of our most patriotic citi-
lens.
The fact that the Democracy of Maine has
at length adopted liberal policy in regard to
granting corporate powers to citizens for the
promotion of various local interests, does moi;
prove that the caution which was previously
practiced in opposition TO the Judgment of a res
pectable minority Of our Legislators, had, at the
time, nothing to justify it. In the ruinons
81 banking policy which had long been pursued
by Massachusetts,, Maine suffered severely and
only found relief in assuming, as an indepen-
dent state, her own legislation, but from this
experience she received salutary lesson Of
caution, which may have had for time, an un-
due influence. r..., ... at. -..
Again the fact that the interests of our coun-
try no longer require National Bank, does
not disprove the policy of its original establish
gress for Internal Improvement reached pros
pectively the enormous amonnt of four hundred
millions of dollars, as has been stated by an
honorable senator to have been the case when
President Jackson took his stand against that
policy, the expediency of his taking the stand
that he did to arrest conrse which would have
involved the government in bankruptcy, or, pro-
duced perpetual Legislative contention between
the different sections of our country, by no
means disproves the policy OF modified sys-
. = TEN If Internal improvement. And on the
other hand, neither does the beneficial effect Of
protection to certain branches Of our manufac
ttnres at particular time when they were great
ly needed for other departments of our industry
but were struggling for their existanee. prove
that it is just and wise, perpetually 10 continue
such protection to the detriment Of those other
departments Of OUT industry when no Longer
really necessary. - .Ja To- n...-.yn.l
H.' Our last war with England, which has with
some truth been called ga second war Of Inde-
pendence.' . could not have sustained that char
acter if not followed by measures on our par
10 prevent our falling back into dependence
on her for materials and manufactures, the wan
of which we 80 severely felt during the periot
of our noninteroourse. embargo and war
At the close of the war we had long suHere,
severely from that dependence, while high pri
{ q ees were still demanded for materials, as iron
si'1oopper, 'Ssc, Of which we possessed inexhaus
. table supplies beneath our soil, and, for vari
GUS manufactures essential to our operations
: and which, our people possessed every facllit
forproducing, if only protected fora time from
ls.'ruihods foreign competition. 's i'' '''''-
- Some Of our leading statesmen in bringin
ss,r at y heclaratioa Of war with Great Britain
Ii swho6e sagacity had lforeseen good to- tn
!,.s; neqi n rs is effect, amongst whom were Mr.
nI,n % Is and Nj. Clay, united their influence t
-,rv out. q they thought one object Of the wa