The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-01-21
MR.. CAREY AND PROJECTION
NORTH BRooKFIELD. MASS

MR. CAREY AND PROJECTION.
NORTH BRooKFIELD, MASS,
January, 8, 1858.
10 the Editor O the National Era:
The "prophet of the Pennsylvanians," (see
Tribune Mr.. Henry c. Carey, of Philadelphia
y improving this precious opportunity to
awaken public interest in favor of an old hobby
which has long since been walked off the ma
t4onal course. The fact is, this gentleman
would prescribe revenue tax for every disease
sud Ill to which flesh is heir, were he a physi.
clan; and would, in all situations of danger
protect his army by heavy duties, were he q
general. AS it is, being gentleman of litera.
ry leisure, he kindly superintends the financial
policy OF the nation, generally giving utterance
to his views through the columns OF the Irib
n1e; advocating the disregard of all " theories u
which "abound in state of barbarism "
csying protection " necessarily, in season and
o"t OF season; repudiating, in accordance with
expressed sentiments, all promises, postu ate s,
differences, deductions, and conclusions, and
attaining TO an augment which we'll illustrate
Their absolute negaton. He doubtless holds il
to be valuable proof of the reality, dignity.
and usefulness, OF human reason, that, allowing
something for gaps in logic, it may be made to
recognise protection as a coed. He believes
that, without a tariff, the sun will not here
ripen wheat, fire viii not melt iron ore. steam
ard water will not turn wheels. He believes
tt at the power of labor to produce wealth is
derived wholly from revenue laws. The FIRST
OF this series of letters addressed to the Presi
dent Is by far the most important of all which
have appeared, or, we predict, will appear.
For 1t traces the history of our unfortunate
Notwithstanding the inference that the
pohcy OF freedom from commercial restrictions
has caused all the loss which has attended our
unsuccessful experiments. The conclusion
might seem, at first view, to be just and strong
yet there is no true connection between the
FACTS which he submits and the principles
which he deduces from them. Several import.
ant links have been omitted in the chain.
There are gaps which no prudent logic would
attempt to jump. We grant that, to a great
extent, our attempts at the manufacture of i'm.
portant articles have been unsuccessful To
the inference against the policy of freedom of
trade, we wage two objectionable one behind
the other-bcth of which Mr.. Carey must
Firstly. Granlng the parrIaI failure OF our
manufactures, it does not follow, by any means.
that 1t is chargeable upon that financial system
which might seem to be its immediate cause.
IL does not follow that the same effects would
have resulted from the operation of that ave.
ten, II 1t had been left to its proper influence,
tree from the unnatural stimulus of intermit.
tent protection. Our policy of legislation has
so varied, that the effects are not chargeable
upon either OF the two extremes, bat upon the
folly which has combined them. The patient
has just been put into comfortable sweat by
Its attectlonate nurses; when the doors have
been opened, the natural temperature restored.
hne, healthy, bracing air has rushed in on
our manufactures, and the result hag been lung
disease-generally fatal in our climate. Pro
lection hos excited to enterprises which are
unnatural, because they cannot compensate
labor and capital without help from Govern
ment; and competition, the natural and proper
state, being induced too suddenly in the weak.
ened condition Of their interests-the blow has
cut OH, not only those branches which stood
by this support, but those others which, in the
interchange of credit, had relied on their con
tinuance tor their own safety. 1t is the incon
sstencyo OF purpose which has made the annals of
our manufactures the history of failure and loss.
This cannot be charged upon free trade; because
these unfortunate weaklings would net have been
born to die, if its teachings had been regarded.
1t cannot be charged upon free trade, more
than the death of the murderer upon society.
The transgression was upon the other side
society but defends itself, though it seems the
immediate cause. 1t is but the agent in the
punishment OF the guilt. A shifting policy of
legislation, such as we have enjoyed, is worse
than the most stupid system of finance. II does
all the harm which it is the mission of protec
ton to do, in diverting labor and easit,l into
the wrong channels while it makes the 1natter
worse, by causing, instead of martial. isav
from 70 to 81 per cent. of the productive power
of the country, which Is devoted to manufac.
turing,) a total loss when free trade OPENS the
door, and lets the winds of competition whistle
among the dollhouse plants Such, with the
deleterious effects Of an expanding and con.
tracing currency, ie the explanation of the cad
phenomena OF our manufacturing Interests.
Iou cannot leap that wall, sir; can you climb
it?
Secondly. We object to the conclusions
against free trade, because there is still another
bricge TO connect important positions ia the
argument 1t the fret be mounted, there is
one more barrier. Allowing, in order that we
may get TO II, and not leave you forever behind
the first, that this encouragement of manufse.
lures is chargeable upon free trade, it does no,
follow that free trade is an injurious policy. If
Mr.. Carey makes it a postulate, that manufac-
turing is a normal and beneficial employment
for the productive power Of our country, Mr..
Carey takes liberty. If our manufactures re.
quire protection, they do not deserve it; Cos, 10
be desirable, they should support themselves.
Every branch of industry, which is supported
by protective duties, exists o. the expense Of
others. 1t is, ~ 30 much, a loss to the wealth
of the community. If it could, of itself, remu.
rerate labor aud capital, ii would attract them
and would not ask a bonus from others. Mr.
Carey, can you supply the want? Can Won
prove that free trade has done th;s Country a..
evil, when it has returned tie answer "non 70
questions Of ths practicability of certain ;pdns
TIA. employments2 Can you show that the
country is not richer, Gu account of the check
given by free trade to costly, protection peedine
manufactures, even placing to its account that
oss Of labor and capital which hurtfuI revenue
avs have attracted to unnatural enterprise
,haa It, by steady adherence r. The wroon
principle, we had built up certain interests at
he expense of our commerce and agriculture,
long thar which otbera would have done !
,ecaper for us2 W.
n. Il. The phrase--so great favorite with
writer's on protection" bringing together the !
producer and the consumer" is somewhat Diff.
cult to comprehend. Its meaning--we con-
graduate ourselves in the hope that we under |
stand it-can best be rendered by an example. |
An enlightened general carries about with his |
army the machinery of an armory, and makes
his own weapons, Uniting his soldiers fer val. |
liable services, by keeping them from the drill, !