Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-03-21
The Tariff Quest1or u. aGectcd by sece.-

The Tariff Qucstion un Affected by seces.
| sion.
The Northern papers, even those Of the most
decided Black Republican sentiment. are be-.
ginning to have their eyes open to one most
Important fact, viz: that Northern manulac.
tuEers and importers are placed entirely and
unaro'dably at the mercy Of the legislation of
the Confederate States. So long as the Gulf
States remained in tho Union, they were ob.
ged 10 submit 10 any sort Of II tariff which the
North might dictate
BY uniting together in separate Confede-
racY, they have not only freed themselves from
this dictation, but have themselves assumed
position which enables them 10 dictate n
tariff to the North.
Truly tho bitter has baen bitten. The
Northern manufacturers who sold their votes
to Black Republicanisu for tho sake of pro-
tectiSe tariff now find that The fruit ami re-
ward of their treason literally turns to ashes
on their lips. The Bl.ck Republicans have
been prompt to pay the pound Of flesh. Even
before the Inauguration Of the rbolitonst re-
gime could be fairly consummated, protec.
tive tariff, e1orbilant beyond preconceired
hopes, has been hurried through c Black Re.
publican Cungress-to the tune Of 30, 100,
| or 200 per cent on manufactured articles.
But just as the Northern manufacturer lcks
his lips ut the approach Of monopo!y-presto
chango!-t great market Of the South is re-.
moved altogether beyond his reach, Southern
ports are thrown open 10 goods superior to his
own, and at price SO moderate es even 10
come Northward and compete with him sue.
oesslully ut his own door.
Instead Of gaining additional protection, the
Northern manufacturer is left altogether un-
protected. And 10! the imnorta!s come not
singly. The same state Of affairs which leaves
the Northern manufacturer naked to European
competition, shuts also the counting room Of
the Northern importer. twill be madness for
hin. to import goods, paying on the same u
duty of 100 per cent, when the same goods can
be entered at Southern ports subject only to o
duty OF 20 per cent, and Immediately And their
way, at small additional freight price, to his
own door Northern manufactures and North
eru commerce then, with all the thousand Incl
dents Of industry end enterprise which depend
on them, must either come to o complete stand
still, OF, at bert advance Ut such foot pace
as TIE Confederate States will permit Those
of our Northern cousins who have sold them
selves for price to the Devil Of Incendiarism.
have truly reaped the Devils wages! We are
no, sorry for their disappointment. When
they first came whining to lis with the 'Ex-
cUsE," forsooth, that the election Of Lincoln
vas not the result Of an,.slav=Jy feeling, but
Of desire fer protective duties, we did not
hesitate to reply that re had much more re-
spect for Abe Lincoln, or Wendell Phillips,
thau for any traitor who would bargain away
our safety; or more respect for The enemy
whose motive is fanaticiSn, than fer that other
enemy VINO Leagues with the fanatic under the
sole incentive Of aTariec.
1t is hard bed which these descendants of
Judas have made for themselves The New
York "Times" earnestly desires to play philau.
thropist and, like another Howard, would iain
! euse the penalties incurred by crime.
The "Tincs" eagerly suggests prompt re-
turn TO the tariff Of 80. Miserable comforter
Will that restore TO Northern manufacturers
the lost markets of tho SouthY Will it even
secure them the Northern market by rates OF
duties which, they already complain, are in
| cuff 10 than frn-n Europunp
petition: Finally, s there any guarantee that
even these duties will not be reduced stii!
lower-nay, that they will not be altogether
abolished by the action CT the confederate
States? Then, says tie Times" We must
fringe tho whole border which divides US from
the Confederate States, with inland military
and revenue posts. How will this WORK i.
will cost a good round sum to keep up this
Gordon Of pos:s The people must be taxed
taxed heavily to supply it. The nanulactur-
ers must pay their quota Of the tax, aud To en-,
able them to do 30, they must have more pro-
tection;' and more protection" will weigh
most grievously upon the mercantile and 1gri-
cultural classes, distressing them until they
refuse altogether 10 foster manufactures at the
expense Of their own oyer-tasked energies, or
until the prevailing distress shall react isuIne-
diatcly on the manufacturing interest," curtail-
ins its custom and increasing the price Of its
support. Whether the game will end in the
entire prostrstion of the agricultural and COM
mercal, or OF the manufacturing interests, or
Of all together, is more than We are allowed to
Foresee; but undoubtedly the conflict will be
severe, and somebody must be badly worsted.
Such will be the result of iSolGting and
sloughing Oft the Confederate States. Lett to
themselves, they have few manufacturers to
protect. With few unimportant exceptions
lhey will undoubtedly admit manufactured
goods Tree Of duty; and will no longer permit
near aud dangerous neighbors to engage in
their i;nmenso carrying trade. They will
thus oblige the Federal Government either to
throw open the ports Of the Northern Confed.
eracy to European goods, duty free, or drive
them to the policy Of keeping up revenue and
military establishment so expensive us TO prove
heavy and embarrassing burden TO all classes
Of interests
Let it be remembered, that Virginia, remain
ing in Northern Confederacy, will be subject
ed to all the disabilities andgrevancas incident
to such condition Of things; will also be de-
privsd even of any possibility ofincidenta! ben.
eft. She will be cut of from the only market
which has hitherto encouraged her manufac-
lures, and be brought into immediate and crush
; inc competition with the more amply develop
ed resources of material and skill and the lar
ger manufacturing capital Of the North; her
agriculture will be prostrsted oT an exodus OF
ahorars combined with the sudden pressure Of