Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-09-21
PUBLISHED DAILY AND TEI-WEEkL.Y By
EDGAR now UES
ALEXANDRIA:
TUESDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 81, ls5
The Tariff.

III. The writer argues q return 10 the prlh-
ciples Of the protective policy OF 1873 and
1912. Madison, jefferson, aud jackson are
quoted, in favor of sffordiDg ample protec-
ton to all the industrial pursuits of the couu-
try. 1t is alledged that oor present hoaociai
troubles, az we'll as the ADVERTISEMENTS which
have previously afflicted the country have
grown out of a departure from the protec-
tive system. The writer, farther, strongly
urges O return TO protective duties, as the
only sure means Of relieving the country
from its present difficulties. This, We sug-
gest, is G move from the proper quarter aud
in the right direction. Within the last three
weeks we have noticed tho proceedings Of
three or four Democratic meetings Ia the
State Of Pennsylvania, taking decided grounds
in ayor Of ample protection to all our indus
trial interests and especially in regard to
the iron interests. At present, about three
fourths of the iron furnaces in the country
are entirely out Of blast, and the Remaining
fourth are doing only about half work.
How long are we to suffer the consequences
OF a policy which make Us "bewers ol wood
and drawers Of water" for other countries!
Modern democracy, We are aware, claims
that there is no power under the constisu-
ton to impose duties on imports, except fer
revenue alone. Ga the other hand, we have
the concurrent opinion Of all the early faith
ers of the Republic 10 favor of a tariff for
purposes of protection, as we'll as FIR reSe-
uue. Snail we follow the old or the new
lights. The following is the article alluded
to, from the Enquirer:
However we may differ 10 the abstract,
touching the nicer points Of State policy, ID
regard to the protection CT our domestic in
ductrial pursuits and the consequent Gescl-
opment of the uubounded wealth Of our State,
l feel en- abiding confidence that to accom-.
plish a great end, you are ready and willing
at all times, and at every hazard. to merge
tho mere partisan toto the patriot and TO lend
the powerful aid Of your columns 10 the sup
port and medication Of al interest, which,
perhaps, moro than any other, deserves the
consideration, if not the favor Of the Govern
mept. mean the iron interest IF cur State
and our country.
i do not propose to 20 into detail, and
quote volumiDous statistics, to show the DC
cessity Of some action on the part ct our
Federal Legislature, If they wish to preserve
thai interest from certain and speedy exi!nc'
ton. 1t is sufficient for my purpose, to call
your attention to the facts, that three-tuurthF
uf the iron furnaces and rolling mills in the
United States, have either suspended opera
ton, or are working half or quarter time
That thousands of our workG,en and mechaft-
les are thrown out Of en- ploy Ineut, and are at
this time seeking labor at fifty cents per DAY,
to gave their families from starvation. That
our warehouses ami railroads are grooming
under the weight Of cheap and Inferior h"g,
lish iron, destr uctive alike to property ana
life, as witness the recent disas;cTon a North'
ern road from defective rails. That whist
we are starving oar own workuen, We are
fattening the paupers OF Europe; tna' our
public agents are importing from Wales the
iron pipes to conduct the alter to the cap!tai
of the Union; that Jefferson declared, thai
protective duties were necessary to plt'ent
us from falling again into a state oil coionlai
dependence; that Madison painta'ned, that
it was not only constitutional but expedIent,
to institute a revenue system, having iOr us
object the protection Of Cur OWE p~iantsls,
our own farmers, and our own "trkuleL;
that Jackson, told the farmers ind p%'antcIs,
that if they would have gond markets tr
their produce. they could do II only by means
of measures looking to an Increase IN the
number AID variety Of the channels OF indus
try. and that no people could preserve thei'
liberties, who were dependent upon aforelgn
nation for the materials necessary to carry
on war, and Chief amongst these, WAS iron
And that the state of things DOW cxiSu! < Is
nrecisely similar to that which existed IN
the calamitcus years, which preceded those
in which were passed the tariffs OF
and ~, the passage Of which was followed
by an immediate return o! confidence ana
immediate demand for both labor and CAPT
tai: re-estabiishing domestic commerce; en-
abling the manufacture to become a larger
customer 10 the farmer. and tie farmer To
become n larger customer to the man"lic-
turer, and giving to the country a hisn de-
gree Of prosperity. 81.
In view then # the f3regoIng facts ana the
necessity TO which we are reduced OF making
proyision to meet the demand on the treasury
for over enc hundred millions Of dollars
whilst the revenue is coming IN at the rate
of less than thirty millions, 1t seems to re
that no time could be more prop,tlnus han
the present, to give that incidental Tro'e''
ton to the iron interest, which II 50 en''pehi-
" deserves. The debt must be paid by IT.
creasing the revenue, by o mod fcatlons 81
the scale Of duties. No other plan under
Heaven will answer. Treasury notes and
additional loans IRE but temporary expe,
dents which sink US deeper in the mlre, and
the good common sense vi our people reVoits
at the idea of direct taxation, the aooil''on
Of Custom Houses and the new tangled u'o-
pain, impractioable doctrine OF tree trade
For where does it EXIST Where did II ever
esistR Surely not in England, now the s'ea,
ad vocate Of the system, because she is Tue
great manufacturer of the weird. albeit sue
at one time levied a duty OF two hnndred per
cent, on imported iron, to protect her own
manufacturers. and at this very day, ie'ies
q like or higher doty on our tobacco.
The policy of reasonable aud incidental
nrotection (snd that is all we ask is DO Ion
ger q party question. 1t is one above party,
and is to be prominent before tho next Con,
81. anproorhinp Presidential