The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1855-03-07


mysterious aud resistloss power is sweep
ing away all the old party landmarks in.
to one common oblivion The dcvolop
monts Of the last few days in Congress
would otherwise create universal aston
ishmont il not alarm. If these things
can "come DER us like a summer cloud
without our special wonder, without
particular surprise throughout the ma.
tom I've may well pause, and again care
fully pass in review some Of our most
cherished opinions-principlos in behalf
of which we have earnestly labored for
years.
Vermont has always ranged herself
most unequivocally--we may say almost
unanimously-on the side of rRoTEc.
TIVE TARIFF. In view Of the recent tar.
if act, by which another long stride has
been taken towards free scarcely
less decisive os related to the tariff Of
1916. than was that act as related to the
Wing tariff Of IS42-and more cspc.
cially in view Of the votes of MaSSa-
chusetts and Pennsylvania on the side
they have hitherto so uniformly opposed
it is high time for us to consider this
subject more fully, to inquire whittier
we are drifting, aud to determine wheth.
er there really is anything in our present
circumstances which may require or war
rant departure from our hitherto I'M
changing. timo-honorod policy.
One of three things must evidently
be true. Either we have been wrong as
to the whole subject of protection; or a
change Of circumstances has made a
change of policy right aud proper; or
this last modification Of the tariff. by
consent Of prominent representatives, Of
some Of the Northern States hitherto
most Jealous for protection, is wrong in
itself, and will be greatly injurious in its
consequences.
We are not now about TO go over with
the arguments in favor Of the protective
polcy,o to point out It's manifestly bcno.
fetal effects in tho Development and
growth of our nationa, resources. All
must concedo that it WAS necessity. in
the early existence Of our republic
None will now deny that it was a bene.
iicent policy. Having to compete with
the immense capital and the pauper la
Dor of European nations, our country.
without this system, would lave long
ago become bankrupt. Experience clear.
ly, has proved, to tho satisfaction Of ev.
cry reasonable person. who will canddly
examine the case, that the advocates of
protection were right in principle,
While insisting upon so much, it does
not necessarily follow that consistency
requires perpetual adherence to pre-
cscly the same mcasule.in all times. for
carrying out these principles. We are
not prepared to say that. should every
other nation, now superior to US 10 capl-
tai. and keeping up the unjust system of
cheap labor, first throw open the doors
and invite free trade with all the world.
we may not, in time, agree that this ar
rangenent shall be adopted, as tho best
for all parties. That is mott never
has bcen-the ISSUE with our opponents.
A5styactly, and regardless of all those
circumstances which every reasonable
man will take into view in all matters
pertaining to business and the conduct of
life, we think free trade the soundest aud
'ruost policy for all nations. Hitherto,
in this country, it would nevertheless
have been fatal.
The late tariff amendments. so far as
we can judge. will bear most heavily on
the wool and iron interests These two
interests are yet by no means sufficiently
matured and established to take care of
themselves, yet there are none of more
vital consequence as affecting the welfare
of the country. The millions sent abroad
for iron should be expended at home. in
developing the immense resources which
are here at command, but now unavail.
able for want of little fostering care
and protection. So, too, Of the wool in
terest Admit iron and wool duty free
or at greatly reduced duty-and our
specie must 60 abroad for what might
better be obtained at home, were our
government dIly mindful of the needs Of
its own citizens. Give us a steady, pro.
tective taritf-one that shall ensure re,
munerating prices to iron manufacturers
and wool growers, and the expenditure
at home of at least good share tho vast
amount of capital now cent every year
to Europc-and the country will be
prosperous in just proportion to its
means, and have more healthy, substan'
tIal growth. by perpetualiy amending
and reducing the tariff on Imports, and
especially on those articles which can
with proper care soon be better and
cheaper produced at home, distractions
are thrown in the way of our agriculture
and manufac lures and serious embarrass.