The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-05-30
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
nr. Clay, OF kcnaucky

uau.l isASocsc
him with and hatchs,s in which observations
are made touching the policy Of protection This letter
contains comments on the doctrines OF free trade
suggesting that there is danger Of the United States
SLOWING TOO soon and too far the example of Eng
and Il is natural that MIR. Clay should admit with
reluctance the necessity for departure from the policy
which he advocated strenuousy after the close OF our
As, war, and which constituted prominen, feature in
The party politics OF the country up the adoption OF the
arh Of 1916. Immediately after the close OF the war of
lsla the public opinion readily acquiesced in such
Gale OF duties was necessary 10 save our infant
manufactures from the crushing competition OF Eng
land but opinion originating in this necessity
and far from sanctioning the principle OF a high
sd designed for perpetual protection, was soon con-
yerted into party purposes and could with difficulty be
separated from them. During all this period The demo-
s,c party was in advance Of the wing partyfavoring
Ian approximation TO the principles OF free trade, and
maintaining after the extngushnent of the public debt
k General jackson, that the revenue standard OF tariff
|oud be adopted excepting only the few articles that
were necessary for safety and defence in time of
This measure however was never fully attained until
sis when England encouraged by the overtures Of the
democratic administration of Mr. Polk repealed her corn
ws and opened her markets the breadstus and pro-
visions Of the United States; and the experience Of both
Countries since affords many proofs of the mutual ben
hs OF free exchange of products. that it is believed
serious effort will be made again revive the old
doctrine Of protection. a.g
We are far from impu,ing to Mr. Clay want OF patriot
SIN in the he pursued the friend OF the protective
principle would we say that his efforts had been
ey reproductive of public good in stimulating the man
acurng interest to reach that point at which they could
compete with, and even underse in many articles the
PRODUCTS of other countries: but the argument on which
srssted his policy is no longer applicable to
N and under the most favorable circumstances, was al
ways successfully combatted. and must be in coun
y like ours where agriculture is the controlling pursuit
and interest of the people, and where high duties OF any
description must always beget discomfort and jealousy
Every farmer in land knows that the axe and the
Ratchet which furnish the occasion for the aliuson Mr.
CLAY has made to the subject of free trade could not be
made eheapy in England for consumption as in
bis country They proof of the ability and skill of
our mechanics, who, without the aid Of government
protection, can compete with foreign countries, where
articles subjected TO the disadvantages belonging
transportation across the Atlantic ocean The same
observation may be made of many other articles, which
had no other stimulus than tae superior skill Of our
orkmen 10 make them cheaper in markets than any
hich can be supplied by the foreign competitor Eng.
and herself affords many examples Of the failure of pro-
cve duties to insure success manufactures that were
favorable to the soil and climate Of the kingdom. and
here protection operated only monopoly for the
sneht Of the few The experience OF that country proves
bat high duties could never give prosperity to manu-
scure which was not capable OF fourishing without
em and that the safest reliance for in all the
apartments OF skill and has generally been the nge
putty OF the mechanic and artist in the free markets OF
he world. a 20
In the present state Of population. agriculture,
ece, and navigaticF il may be safely said that high
uss arc obsolete, and that people need markets
broad and protection, to create markets at home. We
y. henceforward be the competitor OF England in sup
dying foreign countries, and not in maintaining restrc-
IONS on trade, whose only general effect will be. i,
s ever been to lessen the capacity Of those foreign
|Oun'ries to buy from us.
ASHLAND, Monday, April %, 1851.
GENTLEMEN Prior to my reaching home your favor Of
he 18th instant arrived here and have since safely re-
aved the case containing two and the hatchets
thch you have done the favor TO present TO me.
s your acceptance of my cordial thanks and warm
|nowledgments for them. Nothing could exceed the
auty and excellence Of their finish. and this praise is
us both the handles and to the and haichets
uch is their neaness that. while they are admirably
to the practical purposes Tor which they are IN
Aded they will form not unsuitable ornaments Tor the
oe Of parlor am very glad to hear that you have
nt specimens OF your manufacture 10 the great exhbl.
loo which to take place in London next month They
PILL have doubt, defy all composition abroad. ~ the
mencan has deied all foreign composition in our
Pwn country.
an much grs,ied 10 learn from you that this branch
American manufacture is carried on with ssch succsss
to need no protection Such, fortunately 10 he
lh many other branches; and II the tarlh should be
eken up calm. moderate, national spirit have no
oub that Just Of protection might be a~arded
the few objects Of native industry requiring H. whs~,
HIudlce to any interest
England, BY her great advancement in the arts and civ
zaton and from the fact OF our having originated from
recourse with her exercises large-perhaps too large
Influence upon our co1ncls BY her example. Hence
s doctrines OF free trade have been imported extsn
vey a. her merchaadise. and prevailing to de-
re which those who have adopted them will. | think
nd At necessary 10 limit or modify. The condition OF
agand widely different from that OF the United States
respect 10 industrial pursuits. There the perfection
which maaufactures have been carried BY great
kdL abundant capital, cheap labor and long expert
ncs, renders protection unnecessary. They safely
ntounier any composition, At home or abroad. II is
aesn with the English agriculture that is supposed to
yea protection against foreign composition BY eminent
nsish statesmen, and struggle IL now IN progress IN
sand upon that question between the popuIstoe OF ths
ies asd that the country The reverse 10 our con-
ION in the United States Here our agriculture needs
protection bat few branches Of our manufactures
Pqav, i0f limited period, reasonable and moderate
gree OF i. With such encouragement, they will, at
distant day, attain a maturity and perfection which
oud enable them TO vie with those OF any other coun-
and, IN the mean time, should avoid those re-.
ulsons IN commerce and monetary affairs which there
loo mach reason to apprehend may result from too
r N N n