Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-02-10

particular region, while the demand for it is
universal aud constantly progressive
Their entire capital and labor, therefore,
cannot he employed in any way SO profitable
as in the exclusive cultivation of this staple,
and exchanging it for the fabrics Of other
countries. Their produce being admitted
free from duty in foreign countries, where it
is the indispensable material of the industry
Of a large portion Of the inhabitants, they can
well afford, and it is their interest, to receive
duty free, in return, tile manufactures Of those
countries.
But what is the situation Of Virginia.
Her agriculture is employed chiefly in the
production of articles which are the growth
Of every cline, and Of which the supply,
therefore, often exceeds the limits of Just
proportion to the demand. The necessary
consequence where this is the case, is ruin
Gus reduction Of the prices which those arti-
cIes command in the markets Of the world-a
state 81 things now sorely felt by the wheat
growers Of Nirginia-and the only remedy
then is to divert from Agriculture a portion Of
the capital and labor unproftably employed
in it, and devote that portion TO manufactures
thus, at the same time, relieving the plGth-
ora of agriculture, and creating 4 new de-
mand for its products at home.
In support Of these views, allow me to call
your attention to the following pregnant ex-
tract from an unpublished paper Of Mr.. Madi-
son, written in 1888, the conclusive force Of
which, | think, every understanding must
feel and acknowledge.
Manufactures grow out of the labor not
needed for agriculture; and labor will cease
to be 50 needed or employed as its products
satisfy and satiate the demands for domestic
use and for foreign markets. Whatever be
the abundance and fertility Of the soil, it will
not be cultivated, when its fruits must perish
on hand for want Of a market And is il
not manifest that this must be hencefor-
ward mo and more the case in this State"
The earth produces at this time as much
as is called for BIZ the home and the for
cign markets. while the laboriug p0pua-
ton, Notwithstanding the emigration to
the West and tic Southwest is fast in
crcasing. Nor can we shut our eyes to the
fact that the rapid increase Of the exports
Of -four and tobacco from new and more
fertile soil, will he continually leSsening the
demand on Virginia for her two great
staples, and be forcing her, BY the inabili-
ty to pay for imports BY exports, 70 pro
vide within herself substitutes ior the Tor
mer."
These important truths seem now to be
recognized by all, and, am happy TO see
are about to be acted on BY the Legislature
Virginia must turn her attention more and
more to tie Investigation Of her industry by
the establishment Of manufactures, both to
relieve the surcharge Of her agriculture and
to give it, in lieu OF the glutted markets d
the world, the stimulus Of local markets At
home, which viii dIttuse around theirrespec-
tive centres smiling scene Of renovated lie
and yerdurc. Let Us be content with the
noble structure winch they have bequeathed
70 ~ desiring neither general convention
70 botch IT. nor sectional convention q
subvert Il. II evils arSe IRON time to tune
and have no disposition 70 extenuate the
magnitude oi those which have fallen on Us