American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-17
AMERICAN TELEGRAPH
yAsHINGTON,


The Cinclnnau Gdzeb ana the Louisville
Courier are urging upon the Western members
Of Congress the necessity Of demanding such
encouragement, aid, and protection for the
Western States as are given to the Eastern
Among other things asked for are the following:
/. The enlargement Of the canal at the Falls
Of Louisville.
2. The improvement Of the Western rivers
and harbors.
8. That the West may have its public build
ings erected for Government purposes built in
. handsome and substantial manner, as they
are along the Atlantic side.
4. That there may be appointed q board or
bureau Of commercial statistics, whose business
1t shall be to present annually systematic
view Of the amount and movement of COM
merce, manufactures, and agricultural produc-
tions
These demands are all reasonable, and we
trust they may receive the attention asked.
The last proposition, however, is too limited.
The subject Of the Tariff alone is worthy the
exclusive attention Of bureau, and it never
can be rightly comprehended by the nation
until this species Of aid shall be provided by
the Government A tariff can never be perfect,
for the simple reason that our knowledge Of the
countries can never be perfect. But by the aid
Of such bureau, knowledge upon the subject
may always DO obtained, arranged and digested
In such manner as to guide our legislation for
the welfare Of the people.
The subject Of agriculture is Of still greater
importance. This comprehends the greatest
good Of the human family; and il the army,
the navy, the treasury, and the mail are worthy
being placed under distinct departments of the
ture merit . great department more than all Of
these put together. 1t would prove the main
pillar Of our Government, and commerce and
science would alike receive the greatest benefits
from its establishment.
The ample materials gathered by the recent
census-takers will make manifest the necessity
Of giving to these subjects the attention de-
mandsd by the wants Of the country; and the
able, skilful, and indefaigable Superintendent
strate the advantages Of our always possessing
fresh, minute, and accurate statistics Of the in
dustry Of the country.
Hitherto agriculture has received no protec-
ton or encouragement from the Government, |
and in isolated feebleness the tillers of the soil
have endeavored, by means Of little societies,
to do for themselves and their country what the
Government should do for all. They are strong
enough numerically, and intelligent enough, to
demand that the Government shall do its duty
In directing industry to its most promising
field Of reward, and to those tpursuits from
which the country may derive the most profit.
We do not disavow the doctrine Of protec- |
ton, and would not willingly live under Gov
ernment that would withholdit. Protection is
the duty Of Government, and the laborers In
every pursuit are entitled to it. We would pro-
tect property, which is only labor accumulated;
and we would protect labor, which is the only
source Of wealth. But the greatest good of
the greatest number" should be the idea of
every protcctionist. The agriculturists Of
America are the greatest in number, and their
welfare cannot, therefore, be justly overlooked
1t will not do to tell them that we win protect
them by protecting Others, and thus creating
home market for their products. This may be
true; but until farmers and planters figure it |
out for themselves, they never will and never
ought to be satisfied. If it is true, they will
make the discovery; and until they do make
the discovery, they are never going to believe
the figure tables Of those who own stock in
protected manufacturing establishments
The MoRNoN DIYIcULrIHs AT SALT LAKE,
NHl--