Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-10-29
From the Washington Union.
The Tariff DscussOn-Are the AgTiculturalists to be
Excluded!

From the Washington Union.
The Tariff DiscusIOnAre the AgTiculturalists to be
Excluded?
We think it little remarkable that certain class OF
pubc journals confne their complaints about hard
times and the depression which prevails ID the general
industry of the country exclusively to certain great
branches of manufactures A very large majority OF
the American people are employed in agricultural pur-
suits This class constitute the chief consumers and OF
course pay large proportion of all coec-
ted by the federal treasury We have haot IN this
svmpatby to prominent business men, particularly those
who invest their capital in large corporations OF what
ever kind The principle which controls us in this re-
spect is correctly stated by saying that money is more
commanding and powerful than men. It has been a
prominent feature of American politics, originating with
Mr. Alexander Hamilton, that money should be recOg-
nzed not only entitled to special protection, but also
positive element in the government. He advocated
the establishment Of the Bank of the United States, and
called in his first great report finances and revenue
political machine intended to win over to the new
republic the allegiance of the money classes and through
them the great mercantile interests which 1t was thought
would be dependent upon them. Mr.. Hamilton not on
y avOwed these doctrines but recommended the enact
ment of protective laws with the express intention of
aiding by such legislation, the manufacturing industry
of the country He candid enough to say that pro-
lection to class tax upon another that while
manufacturers receiving benefits in that way, the
great primary labor OF agriculture would have to loot
the bills. Mr. Hamilton told that it was danger
Gus principle to introduce into the gOVernmen-that OF
charging indirectly set OF men to put money into the
hands of another. lie answered that the agrcuursts
the and would always constitute
large majority of the American people, and that they
would have it in their power at any me to repeal such
laws and thereby produce equality of burdens under the
government. He acknowledged that direct bounties to
manufacturers would many accounts be preferable to
protective laws because they would be economical
and less Onerous upon the producing and consuming
classes.
We bring these historical incidents before the country
not for the purpose of dcussng the question of protec
tOn but to show that the great agricultural interests
the great producing and consuming population of the
United States-are never mentioned or thought of in
periods of depression like the present Cities are far
talked about and consulted in reference to political affairs
than the people of the country who five to one in point
of numbers. We hear much of Paris, and but little of
France. London and Vienna constitute, in the minds
OF the world, the great governments OF England and
Austria. Our business reports all from Manchester,
Leeds and Liverpool from Lyons, Marseilles and Bor-
deaux; from Lowell, Lynn Providence and Pittsburg
from New York, Boston, Philadelphia Baltimore Char
lesion, Mobile and New Orleans If these great centres
of manufactures and flourish all is well. If
they meet disasters through the vcissudes Of trade if
their shipping is unemployed and their capital brings
them meagre dividends Congress is beseged for special
legislation in their behalf We do not discuss the main
question: whether the present system of revenue is ade
quate to the wants of the treasury? we intended only
to point out the remarkable fact that those who demand
special aid wholly ignore the very existence of the agr
cultural classes.
Granting that present laws the subject of imposs
are detective, and that additional taxes should be i'm
posed, we submit in all CandOr to the American people
whether it is wise just that subsequent legislation
thereon should be directed to secure special benefits
to the minority at the cost of the majority? The sub
Ject OF taxation has lost of its Importance. 1t
should not be considered as a partzan question: much
less determined with reference to the welfare of peculiar
interests.
We do not doubt the existence throughout the whole
country of considerable embarrassment extending alike
to all classes and Occupations-tO the farmer well
the manufacturer to the merchant and the labOrer A
little reflection will show flat, respect to these various
interests they all alike charged with the msfOrunes
OF the times and that, in arranging laws affecting ALL
they equally entitled to be heard and needed 1t is
not those classes that command the money the telegraph
and the press that should be specially considered They
better represented in the discussions of the day. they
have more facilities for publishing their complaints and
petitions they are more powerfully endorsed by political
influence they employ ingenious advocates and pay
them BETTER but they not severely tried by the
recent and existing revuIsiOn and are less in numbers
and production than the great agricultural interests,
whose labor they would tax and whose legitimate profits
they would consume.
We repeat in utterng these gestions it is not our
purpose to discuss the questions of political economy
involved IN the present revenue laws. We desire only
to call public attention to the general subject and to
point out the Objectionable in which it has been
presented t? the country by the opposition journals
When the matter is considered it should be by the whole
people, by all classes who interested in its final set
Element We want no snap judgments-no legislation
IN the midst of the storm to govern in the succeeding
calm. 1t may be well in the hour Of peril to put the
ship under short sail but when the gale SUBSIDIES gOoC
commander will again crowd on the canvass. Nlclssl
tudes in business very opportune for inter
esed parties to seek special legislation in their be-
half but nation is not wise that falls into such traps
however plausible pressing may be the reasons urgec
for their enSavement.