Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-01-30
THE PROTECTIVE pRINoIPLE.

IhE fhclECI1t6 E6lNtlfLE.
The protection of our mechanical and man
dfacturing interests, is subject that has at
tracted much attention at different periods in
our Republican existence. Practical expert
ence has taught us to demonstr alton, that at
no time has our country been in more pros
porous and fourishing condition than when
our artisans were enabled, by means of ade-
quate duties, to compete with those of foreign
countries; and. on the other hand, it has been
alike apparent, that when duties were low,
monetary pressures ensued, business stagna-
ted, and ruin stared the ssbone and sinew'' OF
the nation in the face--though true it may
have been that the National Treasury was well
replenished, which, seemingly, is the only
thing. in the opinion of those who batten at
the public crib, that requires special attention.
1t is fact that cannot be successfully refuted,
that the Tariff of 1912 was the means, at that
time, of placing the business interests of the
country upon a stable and reliable footing, and
during its continuance every branch of indus
try fourished, manufactures sprang up by
scores, the coal and iron business prospered,
labor commanded remunerating prices, the
products of the farm found ready sale, and
general prosperity prevailed. After its repeal
these interests lanquished, though, since then,
an almost unbroken concatenation of fortui-
tous circumstances have enabled them to eke
out their existence to the present time-such,
for example, as famine abroad, the discovery
of gold in California, (Which has supplied us
with the means of liquidating foreign indeb-
tednoss and meeting the demands which the
L. y
more recently, the failure OF our own crops
and heavy demand from Europe in conse-
quence of the prevalence of the Eastern war,
which has given unusual activity to the pro-
duce market and increased exports of all kinds.
Our importers and dealers being thus enabled
TO meet their engagements, for several years
past attention was somewhat withdrawn from
the subject; lately, however, it has been again
attracting considerable notice, not alone on
account of the singular turn that politics have
taken, but from the fact which has forced it
self upon the public mind, that enterprise on
ly meets its full and just reward where the
manufacturing and mechanical interests are
fostered and sustained in connection with the
agricultural and commercial. In order to sa-
tisfactoriiy illustrate the latter fact, we need
but refer to the condition of the Southern
States, which, possessing equally as good IA
cilities for manufacturing as their Northern sis
ters, have made but little progress in this way,
and are therefore regarded as unsafe localities |
in which to invest capital, which is there COM
paratively worthless, and renders but small |
returns. If proper feeling would manifest |
itself in our Southern States, and they could |
be induced to lay aside their free trade views, |
and instead of depending wholly upon their
Slave labor, engage in manufacturing, a feel |
ing of amity would soon grow up between them |
and the North, which would result in much |
good to the country at large, and go far to |
strengthen the bonds of the Unien-besides |
which their cotton would find ready market |
at home, their capital would be at work in |
their midst, employment would be given to
hundreds Of laborers, American Industry would |
be encouraged, and instead of first exporting
the raw material and then importing the man
article from England, it would be
converted into goods and cloths, at a reduced
cost, in our own country. Thus would le-
gitimate taste be- engendered, which would
'sgive to American labor the privilege of doing
American work, }" and the benefits which are
to be derived from manufacturing, instead of
finding their way into the pockets of English
capitalists. would be reaped by our own coun-
trymen.