Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-03-06
For The EG9uirs7.
TIT tHf I<"THITt7.
Foreign Importutions, Protection, dc.


Foreign Importationa, Protection, dc.
Believing that no practical hcncht arises
from Southern practice, frequently rcSorted
to, of holding public meetings and passing re-
solutions to stimulate direct trade, i.avc
been examining the subject with the dcSisn Of
making some importations
The first article. being the nrc ni greatest i'm
portance for the South, that attracted my attcn-
ton, was negro shoes. resolved. forthwith
to import some from Germany. turred 10
the tariff laws 10 ascertain wha: ,;utcs. if any.
would have to par-to My astonishmcFlt |
discovered that they were chargcabic with \
duty Of - per cent. .---:iriS slnoTrtS 10 prohi-
bition to common shoes.
The only boots and shoes noH imported, are
some fancy cnes from France for the Use Of
fashionable ncrsol!s.-thc entire value Of these
inirortstionS in 1857 amounted to si2T.65l.
It appears TO be generally understood that
duties shall not be laid soic:Y witt, Ticw 70
protection" The enormous duty OF shoes can
certainly not be laid for rsrcnue, since from its
exorbitancy it produces scarcely any Nor is
this excessive duty necessary for protcctoa.-
A small ono Of per cent, with the aid, ioT 80
long distance. CT freight, insurance, coilmi,
sion. &c. &C., would enable Northern shoe
dealers to sell as cheap as tho imported article.
Then why not repeal these heavy duties
Thee are alone valuable TO the North, J.; CO.
ercing us TO Use their goods instead Of being
allowed the choice Of giving our servants excel
lent imported ones. 1t is useless striving for
direct trade while these duties have chanci Us,
hand and foot, TO Yankee abolitonists. There
is no other leading article that the South can
IN, Oh Ear
selves. Negro shoes is the exception. 1t
required the North forty years, with the exclu,
siye privilege, to make them in sufficient guam
tites to supply the Southern demand. The
South, then, have two ways for obtaining &
supply from Europe, ri1: repeal of the duty,
or dissolution Of the Union. In the latter
case, importation might be allowed duty Tree.
1t is useless holding meetings to promote di-
rect trade while you ure prohibited from i'm
porting that article Of the utmost Importance
TO the South, viz: negro shoes. y continua.
ton Of these duties, eiFcctually cnslavcS the
South TO the North. What cam be the value Of
direct trade, while You are by Northern law,
excluded from importing articles Of more vital
Importance 10 the South than ali others be.
sides There are many more strong arguments
thnt might hc ariduccd, but will rot alnpIfy.
TheT will be seen on moments reflection.
Awake, congressman OF the South, and &C.
mand repeal 81 the duty on shoes, tnat We
may he enabled TO impor: them, and thus
elnancipatc ourselves from Northern opprrs-
sion.
'Che Voice OF tho Democracy or Virginia.
Hitherto tue Star" h.s reiraiaed from cx-
pressing any preference between T.. N. 7. ilu7-
ter and Henry A. Wise for the Presidency.
As regards the claims Of these two distinguished
statesmen, Tor tho high station to which thcy
aspire, We have heretofore occupied the position
Of armed neutrality" rot seeking to advance
the interests of the one or re;sri those Of the
other. We have, however, on several occasions,
declared tina; Virginia ough: and slloull be
unit in the Charleston National Convention. in
favor OF one oT the other o: her two dis:ir,-
guishcd sons; and it has been our dclcrm:na-
ton, aii along, 10 support The one for whom
majority Of the Democracy OF tic SITE should
proclaim.
Il IS nos7 vel! asccrtaincd fact that Henry
4. II Use is tiie decided preference OF large
MINORITY ni the Democracy Of Virginia !or the
Presidency. The Democracy Of 4 majority OF
the couulics OF the State have so declared in
their preliminary meetings, and through their
delegates that assembled in Convention in
Richmond on the 10th day Of February; and
as loyal Democrat, We do not hesitate to dc.
clare that choice OF majority Of the Demo
cracy vi Virginia is Our c:.oi,c, and that wc
are benceforth for Henry a. Wise over all
other riea for the Presidency.
Virginia will be unit for Wise in the
Charleston Convention, anG she will rally
the whole South, and enough Of the conserva.
tive Democracy Of the North to his support,
to ensure his nomination. And if he be no.
minated We have no fears but he Sll be elect
cd All chickering's and discussions amongst
the Democracy OF Virginia should now cease,
and they should rally, as one man, to the sup
por. oT Henry \. Wise! hasarha Valley
.SiIr.