The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-17

icgtstauOn Out IL would Oe lying Ia The face Of
that prosperity, to revoke the Legislation under
blessed
we are not going to conf0und those very
distinct things, post hoe and propker hoe, that
which simply follows, and that which conse-
quently results; but, At all events, negative is
proved, and negative is sufficient for the pur-
pose The free trade tariff Of 1886 has not
ruined the United States, and the dark prognOs-
LEGATIONS vi It's opponents have been utterly dis
appointed. There is only ono fact that 40 much
AS suggests the thought Of explanation. for Il
cannot be said to require IT, The imports into
the United States have lately been considerably
IN excess OF the exports, and il is an axiom Of
protectionist philosophy that prosperous ma
ton should always be sending To its neighbors
much more than it is receiving in return Ac
cordng to this theory, the Americans are being
worsted IN the competition Of commerce, and
must before long, find tho balance OF trade
much against them. Mr. Walker disposes of
this view of the question by the reply that Amer
lea does the greater part OF her commerce in her
own ships; and also receives higher price
| abroad tor her exports than they cost her ut
home. These two considerations are perhaps
| quite enough to account for her excess Of I'M
! ports over exports. Other considerations might
be added; but for our own part we must think
it wholly superfnous to account for fact. on
the face of it so far from distressing, Of a ma
ton receiving, fora long PERIOD more from her
neighbors than she gives in return.
| With the tact OF man who has been minis
ter Of finance, and who may be President, Mr..
Walker does not 80 much as allude to the
classes which consider themselves speedily ag-
gneved by the existing tariff of his country.
such classes, however there are--spnner,.
akara abos l.
manufacturers, miners, machine makers, musical
instrument makers, and numberess smaller
crafts-who are each of them strongly of opin.
ion that the citizens of the whole Union are in
duty bound to give very large preference to
American manufactures. 1t is argued there. "a
here, that the price Of imported manufactures.
over and above the cost Of the raw material
consists, in fact, of the wages of labor, which
might have been found and employed at he me-
and that if the United States will do everything
at home, it will save that cost of foreign labor.
AS similar questions have agitated every house,
hold in the world, before free trnde or protec
ton was heard of; End as the common sense of
mankind has long settled that, it is in many
cases pecuniary saving to buy things rendy
made, and get things done out Of doors, instead
OF attempting to do them at home, it is needless
to say what we think of American financiers
settling the question unreservedly in favor of
home production. Mr.. Walker, doubtless from
motives of deicacy, does not expressly alude
to the singular treasury reports that have lately
como out at Washington. In discussing me
bearing of protective duties, he applies his
remarks to this country, and offers an estimate
of the loss suffered by the British community at
large, for the sake of the single agricultural
GLASS; ny the operation of the corn laws Hap
PLY, the principle for which he is contendinp
does not depend on any such calculation
We have not been in the habit ourselves of
considering the corn laws to have operated 40
thoroughly and entirely as transfer of wealth
to the agricultural class from IT, rest of the peo-
pie. At all events, an estimate putting that
transfer at eight hundred millions, we believe to
DE an arithmetical Illusion. The corn laws have
been Tar more Injurious to the many than profit
able to the few. Without, then, attempting to
cast up the vast aggregate of mischief, we are
content TO call protection scheme to tax tho
public for the benefit of this or that class. That
is what the manufacturers of New England have
attempted upon the rest of the United States.
Under the tariff of 1912, they had some success.
but that success has proved their ruin; and now.
like our own agricuturists, they are demanding
recurrence to the former tariff, on the ground
of good faith, alleging thst they were tempted
thereby to invest money in factories, which they
~ 10y '"o'o w heoP opeii unuer the present
reduced scale of duties In fact, there are inst
such complaints and just the same disafected
classes in the United States, as in this country.
with this difference, that there the malipnants
are manufacturers, here they are agriculturalists
Yet, amid these complaints in both countries an
unexampled prosperity, extending to all the in
dustrlal classes, is sufficient practical reply TO
The complaints of this or that interest, stripped
OF its former protection. That is enough for
us. We will not call our agricuturists robbers.
or run up bill of damages against them; but
we are satisfied that England can be prosperous
and safe without paying them black mail.
VIRGINIA ELEcTIog-The Richmond Times
has the following summary of the result of the
late election:
In sixty-two counties of Eastern Virginia.
which gave General Taylor 1852 majority. lin.
,luding all except Accomac, Henry, Patrick.
'ttsyyania, Lancaster, Westmoreland. Lunen.
,urg Mathews, Northumberland and Prince
W lillian, which gave General Taylor majority
u ADD Johnson now obtains a majority Of
700; and in twenty western counties h..ra