New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-01-07
.E,EA, az THE SUGAR DUTY.

We have noticed for some weeks what seemed to
he systematic effort at the North to induce resets
sion by Congress- at the present Session, OF the duties
now levied on imported sugar. 1t would seem, how
ever that the movement originated by Northern heads
with the view to destroy an important Southern pro-
duct is not without supporters at the South. From
the Baltimore papers we learn that the annexed
memorial has been prepared, and copies of it deposited
in the Merchants Exchange and Corn and Flour En-
change of that city, for the signatures of the public
The undersigned merchants and others respectfuy
That sugar has become 50 Indispensable an ari
consumption TO be not improperly eckohed among
the necessasies Of hIe it vhc, q ,1c,o5 on
its weighs severely the of
people and the trades and occupations in which
That sugar tropical plant which does not
owing to frequent he tendency d he plant
to . a 1s e s s 81 q s
in this country than in any other part Of the world from
That Tic making sugar rontle these
present high duty likely become pros
porous branch of industry in our country.
The ,heTfor pray h Congress VIII altogether
The foregoing memorial is amenable to severe crt
cism, considering the source whence it emanates. 1t
is more suited to the meridian of Boston than Bat
more. Then, again, it sets forth statements which
are obviously unfounded in fact. There has been no
such exhaustion of the soil on the sugar estates of
Louisiana, Florida Texas, the above quotation
would lead the unnformed reader to believe. And
further for many years up to last season, the " max
| ing of sugar from the cane' ,cas prosperous
branch of industry in our country" Why the last
season resulted unprosperously was owing to the
precedentedIy cold and unusual weather of the pre-
yous winter and spring, the like of which had not
been known in this latitude for many years that it
had entirely escaped the recollection Of the venerable
Oldest nhabant.' The sugar crop, like the cotton
wheat corn rice, potatoes ard all other crops, is
subject to the yicisstudes of the cate and If 1t is
to be thrown overheard because of partial failure
for year or two owing to such causes as these, and
the foreign article admitted free of extra charge,
strikes the encouragement should be extended
foreign industry, matter if it come in the shape OF
manufactured cotton and woolen goods, silks and
wines, iron and coal, hardware and cutlery drugs and
chemicals, and so on throughout the entire dutiabe
list. The rule is an unjust one il it will not work
both ways.
The sugar planters Of Louisiana have expended
millions upon millions Of dollars in machinery, build
ings and costly apparatus necessary to the anuhc~
ture of sugar. As large sum of money has been eX-
pended the sugar mills OF this State MS there has
been on the cotton factories of New England. And
this enormous expenditure was entered into with the
implied understanding that Congress would not re-
move the duties, at least not until reasonable length
oftne had expired. great proportion of the outlay,
too has been made within the last few gears the
improvements that have been discovered requiring
immense disbursements Yet it Is c0olly proposed in
the North because the weather has caused the crop to
fall off for single year sixty seventy per cent and
the prices to advance corspondngly that the dutybe
rescinded altogether, And we iud Southern voices
echoing and recommending this Northern policy.
What if it was proposed to abrogate altogether and
at once the duties on manufactured cotton goods,
iron and coal, etc. etc, and the project likely to
be carried out !! Why, the whole North would ring
with denunciations, lamentations and supplications.
The eye and ear would tire OF reading and listening.
But, because it is Louisiana proposed 10 be injured,
and because Louisiana is Southern State in sooth it
is all right Admirable logic equitable policy How
worthy the lawyer whose bull gored the farmers OK
instead Of the farmers bull goring his OK
| On this subject the Charleston Mercury has some
very sensible remarks, portion Of which we uLoin,
not having room for the whole article:
The argument this memorial is nothing les than
simple f tas Of e the pSs F a "F ns m ds
eos sG one the necssaries o M Ind Las te@ To ]
consumption, therefore ought lie taxed. It lie very
al no. to te oppressive But sugar more e
snIy Of lie ihat iie m O MGG an" Seton and ;L2
oY years Invebcsn subjected 10 enormous dne "a ;e veiy
was vital great interests of tie country they
provided OF re.ourcr II led that in
collision with foreign nations and the interruption com
merce might have witfn our own limits the Of self
support. the memorial itself is
g1ent applies strongly any other producer Il the
country. WeHve, wiin the Ust years, the very
brink with Spain from whose colonies
exclusively our supply Of foreign sugar and the danger OF smell
collision j. rather deferred removed Suppose that ibis
abolition OF the dus lcnld result in the destruction
all % capital which Is invested in the Of the
article Louisiana and Florida and there should then coa
that very mischief which seemed imminent tins Isoat
then would they do for this necessary c which the
noas dwell on fe2liugIy: We Caavassug .raj-
of the pr0teconists themselves, and showing how entirely
reasonable they become when they have interest Of their
/ to