Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-01-13


Mr.. COOPER continues:
sPermit me TO repeat the question, Why
should we import iron, wool and sugar, iron
and woOllen fabrics, when we possess at home
almost inexhaustabie resources for their pro-
ductiOn? Why are not these resources devei-
oped? Why is it that these great interests Ian
guish and die? / have stated that unstable
legislation, the result to some extent of mat
tention on our own part, and sectional pr'Ju-
dice, fostered by politicians for their own sell
fish PURPOSES were the causes which have
principally prevented the development oil
these and other important branches Of our in
tcrnal industry. But will be asked, How
propose to sbviate the difficulties have emu
meratcd? / answer. by fully compromising
the influence Of our own position;s by thor
onghIy arOusing ourselves 30 our own inter
ests; by organizing to maintain anu promote
them: by instructing the country in regard to
the illimitable development of which these
branches of our industry, iron especially, is
capable; by showing that such development
will promote the national prosperity, and pre-
vent a recurrence of the disasters which have
fallen with such -blighting effect upon all
classes and calings; and finally, that it will
render us independent Of foreign nations. and
secure to Us, il persevered in, the supremacy
which maratime nations have aimed at in mod
ern ages. BY adopting this recommendation,
and acting steadily upon it, a moderate reve-
nue. system. discriminating in favor of Amerl-
can productions, both in the collection and
disbursement of the public money, may be
secured and rendered permanent"
HOW THIS OBJECT Is TO BE SECURED.
.'But to secure this desirable object we
should cease to be partisan politicians, which
we can consent to the more easily by remem-
herring that the statesmen of Massachusetts,.
our ancient allies. acting on the doctrine of
the universal brotherhood Of man, which
makes a crime of the prcccpt that 'charity
begins at home" and the statesmen of South
Carolina, founding themselves on some old
tradition of the .'forty bale theory are
equally the enemies of our interests. The
doctrine that ii is the duty of the govern
ment to protect domestic productions, as far
as it can D. done without injury to other
Interests may not accord with the submit
mated notions Of modern philanthropy, which
would not only open our ports. for the adj
mission of foreign commodities bat our doors
for the reception of the dregs Of foreign
won khouses and the inmates of foreign prisons.
But regarding the subject, not in the light
Of false and impractcahe philanthropy,
but merely as statesmen and patriots. what is
there Objectionable in the exercise or our
influence TO protect our own interests against
the competition of rival interests abroad!
Neither morality nor Christianity is offended
bv il in the slightest degree. At various
ppriods Congress has been induced to legislate
in such a manner as to protect II e domestic
industry Of the country against the diSas-
trons Influence of foreign competition; but
owing 20 sectional jealousy and political IN
fuence this legislation has never been per-
maneut AsSailed as unjust. partial and III
furious though it's Injurious effects have
never been proved it has always
been repealed as soon as majority
could be obtained for the purpose. Pollti-
clans not averse to the principle OF protection,
but with a view wholly to party ascendancy,
have lragued themselves with those who may
he considered its natural enemies to over
throw it. 1t is with this class of men that
| would deal in order to secure its per-
manence
THE ORGANIZATION.
For this purpose, with view to teach
this class of politicians that their interests
and duties go hand in hand, have recon-
mended an organization of the iron manufac-
turers of the country. The influence of this
class of men is immense, and If eXerted
through an efficient organization would be
sufficient to control the elections in a numb~r
Of the States. In Pennsylvania, New jersey,
Connecticut. Maryland, Kentucky, Tennessee,
Ohio, aud shortly in Missouri and other
States such an organization would insure the
return OF large majority IN favor OF afford
ing an adequate amount of protection to the
iron and other industrial interests. why
should not such an organization he effected
an organization looking not only to secure
the e., elton of representatives to Congress
favorable to the protection of American in
dustry, but likewise to the election Of Presi-
dent in order that the policy in view may
not he thwarted by the veto in case the Pres
dent should be averse to ii? A glance at the
election returns in 1856 will show that the
general election in October of that year,
which controlled the Presidential election
month later. was carried by this interest with
out any organized action or combination OF
purpcse The election of the present year
was also materially Influenced. if not con-
trollcd by the same interest. But were it
once known that this vast and powerful
class was thoroughly organized and ready to
move in concert to protect its interests, pol
iticians wcnld hesitate before arraying them
selves against it.
In short, feel that | hazard nothing in
asserting that by a thorough, permanent
organization, it is practicable 10 obtain for
the iron interest and through il for all other
inter, SITS requiring it, all the encouragement
and protection that is desirable at the hands
of the government. Nor is there anything
imprac icahle in eiTccting such an organiZa-
ton. In Great Britain an organization has
existed for many years, which has exercised
the power, not only of controlling the amount
of production, but also of regulating the
prices within certain limits, The difficulty of
carrying out the objects of the latter orgauiza-
ton is tnnfold more difficult than those of the
one which ] have proposed. In the first
place, il does not require the unanimous
accession of all connected with The trade To
make il effrctual to "A greater or less extent
It's object does not fail though il should he
defeated in all il aims at. In many Con-
gressional districts and in some of the States,
il IL sure to he able TO hold the balance of
power; and In Presidential ell ctions it may
or may not, according to circumstances. be
able 20 do the same thing. At all events it
can make its Influence felt. aud in my judg
ment effect its principal Object. Its objects
being legitimate, il should boldly avow its
purposes. This interest has nothing To expect
from supplication of submission. Ii has tried
them in vain. It is now time to assume u
different attitude This being done, the first
step il To induce Congress To adopt the
recommendation of the President in favor Of
specific duties, and proper discrimination
in favor of our own industry, both in levying
the daties and djsburSng the revenue when
collected. All that is required in order that
the production OF the articles OF iron, wool
and sugar should he increased To an extent
far beyond that which have Indicated, is that
they should be protected, but within the
revenue limit, by imposing adequate specific
duties on the foreign fabrics and commodities
which come In competition with them, and by
the government giving preference to similar
fabrics and commodities of domestic produc-
ton when il has occasion 10 use them.
Mr.. COOPER proceeds to show the extent to
which iron may be employed by the Govern
mrnt in the purchase of building materials