Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-02-27
The Protective Plank i'm the Chicago
Platform.

The New York Neics Justly remarks that the
Republican party, underneath their exaggerated
professions of hatred to slavery, are ready to
smuggle through some of the old-fashoned
schemes of class and sectional legislation; thus,
for example, a high protective tariff is now pro-
posed, and in the absence of the members from
the Southern States maybe forced upon us. The
manufacturers of New England and the iron mas
tiers of Pennsylvania were willing TO lend them
selves 20 the dangerous policy of the Republi-
cans, as it regards slavery in the Territories, in
return for their aid in getting through tariff to
suit their own supposed interests. 1t is evident
that, in case of separation, the policy of the two
Confederacies with reference to duties will be
Numerically opposite-the one adopting a So
called protective system to the verge of restric-
tion and the other inaugurating one of free trade,
except so far as to provide sufficient revenue to
meet the expenses of the Government.
few years trial of the two systems viii show
which is most beneficial in building up trade and
advancing the material interests of the people
The sympathy of the European Powers win at
once be attracted to that Government which
adopts for the basis of its commercial relations
reciprocity and liberal interchange of commo-
dities 1t is true that the South from the char.
acier of its products and industry, has no tempta
ton to exclude or discriminate against foreign
manufacturers, but its interests are manifestly il
favor of the freest interchange of goods with al
parts of the world.
1t would be matter of deep regret to the com
mercial and agricultural portions of the North i
by the withdrawal Of those States which hav,
hitherto been bulwark in favor of free trade
we should be forced to the extreme verge of pro
lection for the benefit of the great manufacturin;
companies of New England, and to the detrimen
of the people generally. Such tariff as tha
which has been introduced by Senator Simmon
could only have the effect of disarranging tn
natural relations between the great department
of national occupation, and by attracting capita
into false and artificial employments would Leaf
inevitably to periods of expanion, speculation ant
exaggerated prices, to be succeeded by panics
revulsions and seasons of distress.
high tariff of the sort proposed once estab
lished, the next step of our Republican ruler
would be the establishment of gigantic Ma
tonal Bank. The protective policy requires
vast system of paper currency to develop all it
! peculiar characteristics, by which the rich ar
made richer, and the poor reduced to abiect des
ttution. We shall soon be able to point to
! Northern white slavery, produced by these une
quail and unjust commercial and financial projects
far more odous than even the false tales circulat
ed by Abolition writers of fiction as pictures o
negro slavery.
1t is somewhat remarkable that in the midst o
revolution like that through which we are pass
ing the engineers of this high tariff scheme shoul
find time and be so far uncOncerned at the fate 0
the country as to press their project before Con
gress. 1t would look as if disunion had bee
| of this measure.