The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-08-29
DEMOCRATIC PROTECTION OF THE
IRON INTEREST,"

The above is the caption Of the subjoinet
article which we copy from the Pennsylva
nian, one OF the acknowledged organs Of the
Democratic party. 1t would seem to ind
cate change of position Of this party with
reference to the question of protection, al
least so far ns it affects one of the most impor
tant branches Of American industry.
This movement is not without significance
in view of the nicely balanced condition Of
political parties in the country.
DEmocRATIc PRoTEcTIoS OF THE IRON In
TEREsT.-With nations, us with individuals
the desire to accumulate wealth has been a
ruling passion in all ages Of the world. In
ancient times, when the process of industri
al accumulation was slow and difficult, this
passion WIS manifested by wars of conquest,
waged by the strong against the weak, who
were subjects TO tribute and compelled to
submit To spolaiipn and plunder.
The development Of the untold mineral
resources o the Republic should especially en-.
gage the attention OF these charged with the
administration of the Federal Government
Recent publications, exhibiting the relative
advantages of different countries for the pro-
duction OF iron, place the United States tore
most on the list. The proximity Of the iron
ore and coal districts, the amount and quail
ity of the raw material, in short every ele.
ment of cheap and abundent production, with
the exception of cheap labor and capital, ex.
ist here to an extent unparalleled in any 9th
er quarter of the globe. And these rxrep
tional artificial advantages, which belong es,
pecially to the British producer, are being
gradually neutralizrd by The nrver.ebbing tide
of emigration, which is Iapidly draining Eu.
rope Of its surplus l'borers, and by the
stendy diversion of captal from its accus-
toned channel in the cid world to more
profitable investments IN the new. The
adoption of some policy BY our Government
which should slightly anticipate the operation
Of these natural CAUSES is pne of the duties
imposed upon il by the existing order of
things, inasmnch ms it would enable the
American producer and manufacturer 10
speedily compete with their foreign rivals for
the markets of the world.
Now, fellow citizens, what is the purport
Of this article? What do you understand
by it, The whole drift of the article points
directly to the low wages policy Of Mr..
Buchanan as clearly us noon day. The idea
Of the Democratic party seems to be from
this authentic journal, TO lower the wages of
the laboring classes in this country, by en-.
couragiug emigration from the old werId,
and bringing them in competition with Amer
icnn born citizens. If this is their object
and no one can misunderstund them it seems
10 us,-they will rffectually accomplish it,
# they gel the rsins Of government. If this.
policy shonld succeed, the lordly manuiac'
turer can then dictate his own terms with
operatives.
We have never had an niIl feeling towards
any man in consequences Of his place OF birth,
unless his conduct merited it. But We
would ask, in all candor, why any man, or
any party, in this country should desire to
encourages flood Of emigration here when
the natural, and Legitimate result would be u
reduction of the wages Of our honest labor
ing classes! The first law of nature is self.
projection. And foreigners that are now
with ns are as much Interested in the policy
of the American party rs though they had
been born on American soil, and thousands
would net with us were it not for the unbro-
ken, and everlasting ties that bind them to
their father land. Notwithstanding the fear.
=.
ful consequences of their kindred ties, yet,
they are commendable and we blame them
not for loving the homes of their birth and
childhood. If they did not, they would be
recreant to all the endearIng emotions OF
the heart. But while our laboring classes
are now doing we'll, and the way is open to
all to rise to wealth and distinction who
will, although IN orphan apprentice in the
workshop, we are opposed 10 encouraging eni-
igration to that degree that our wages will
be reduced to the European Standard which
Mr.. Buchanan avows would "bea benefit and
blessing TO this country" We differ with
Mr.. Buchanan in this opinion, and we think
II large majority of the American laborng
classes will differ with him, MS they will show
him next November West Tenn. Wing.