The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-06-06
BALTIMORE.
THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1861.

The position which we have asserted and main
tanned from the day of the dissolution of the |
UNION, in regard 10 the material interests OF the |
State of Maryland, is now fully endorsed by a |
very large number of our intelligent citizens, who,
either from care for their own private interests, |
or a regard for the welfare Of their S ate, have
been induced TO investigate the question thorough
w. There are, however, some few, who not only |
still assume that the prosperity of the State de-
ponds upon the reconstruction of the UNION, or an
alliance with the North, but that in either event.
system of protection is absolutely Indispensable
to her welfare. This is not perhaps, any more
to he wondered at than that there are always in
dividuais too indoert to study and too Indifferent
to reflect; men who by their nature, are so dog
gedly opposed TO all change, that they cling
blindly 10 the last to the axioms with which they
have been indoctrinated in their youth Such
may, indeed, refuse to be convinced; but we
do not hesitate to say that it must he apparent to
every one who will study the subject with an I'M
prejudiced mind, that the protection which is
most necessary to Maryland is not protection
against the manufactures OF foreign countries, but
against those of the free States. We assert fur
ther that the interests of Maryland require no
discrimination against foreign manufactures other
than that afforded by moderate revenue tariff.
under any state Of circumstances, whether chained
20 the North or allied with the South and that.
even if we are wrong, and it is found that mod
erately protective tariff is necessary to guard our
laboring classes against the competition of the
cheap labor of Europe, such a system will be
much more likely to be the doctrine of the South
ern C'nieleraey than of the Northern States.
Whatever may have been the ADVANTAGES de-
rived by the country at large from the system of
protection, it is now clearly manifest that its di-
rect eff,ct was decidedly prejudicial to the
interests of Maryland. The first result of lis nau-
glration was to give artificial impetus TO man
utactures in that portion of the country where
population most dense and wealth was most
abundant. Encouraged by the success of their
first efforts, system Of manufacture, was soon
started in the New England States more ex-
tended even than had been originally proposed.
The consolidation of capital and the division of
labor produced their inevitable results. Wares
were fabricated in the large establishments Of the
East at 4 cheaper rate than in other districts
where the natural advantages were greater hut
commenced n
smaller scale. The manufactures of Maryland,
which had been established for the purpose of sun
plying home trade, and were slowly but steadily
progressing with increased demand, affording a
fair remuneration to the capitalist and fair wares
to the operative, and promising in the end TO at
tain development which wonld render them
independent of foreign competition were crushed
In their infancy by the competition of the East.
Even where manufactured articles could not be
produced at a less cost than in MARYLAND, the sur
plus production OF the Eastern factories was sent
10 TINS State, to De forced upon the market, at a
price, II necessary, below the cost of production
for the double purpose of breaking down a com
peling market and sustaining the home market by
relieving 1t of an excess of production, which
otherwise might be greater than the demand
The fabrication of cotions furniture, wooden
ware hats, shoes, clothing, all ceased to be pro-
htable. Mills were closed and shops abandoned.
the proprletors ruined and the operatives OBLIGED
TO seek other means Of employment Maryland
was obliged, for some years, to rely upon the free
States for many articles which had previously
been successfully manufactured at home. and il
was only after the increase of wealth and growth
III
factures on more extended scale, that her great
natural advantages were turned to good account
When, after period Of stagnaton, this business
was again revived, the New England States had,
chiefly by the introduction of improved machin-
cry IN the most important branch of American
Industry, begun to produce the cheapest and BEST
coarse cotors in the world, and already defed
the competition of England Massachusetts had
not only driven Manchester from her market but
competed with her in the East Indies Indeed so
marked is the superiority Of American manufac-
lures, at the present day that large orders are not
untrequently sent out from England for the pur-
chase of American cottons, in the Boston markets,
COR shipment to China, where they are greatly
preferred. In the manufacture of this article.
which would undoubtedly be the principal one of
Inc Southern Confederacy, it is clear, then, that
we have nothing to fear from foreign rivalry. As
we have previously shown, the manufacturers Of
cotton, now established in tn is State, are able TO
compete successfully, even with the East for the
trade of the South ; and the slightest ADVANTAGE
obtained over the free States could not fail 70 he
of material benefit 10 this interest in MARYLAND
ana 10 tend largely to its development, by driyino
the New England goods entirely from the South
ern market
Many Of the manufactures of the United States
are, IN a measure peculiar to this country. such
as boots, hats and clothing, made for the slave
States hoes and farm implements, the fabrication
OF which is not attempted abroad. Not only
these, but also almost all those which the interests
OF the country require should be produced at
nome are now established in the free States on as
hrm and independent basis as the manuf,cture
OF cotton. 1t is this home antagonism the,
against which Maryland has to strive. It is this
rivalry which is, in fact, most injurious to her
Our glass factories are unable to compete with the
larger establishments of New York and NTassacbp-
sets, although prohbitory ta1iff may entirely
exclude all importations from Germany and
France; and although American iron has for
years been fully protected against British compe |
Union, the production in Maryland has diminished |
down TO less than one-third its former magnitude
ana our pig iron has in many instances been
driven out of market by the cheaper metal of
Pennsylvania.
Inc Northeastern States have become, in fact.
essentially manufacturing States, requiring, ac
tualiy, but little, if any, protection. 1t is their
rivalry which is most to be feared in the work and
machine shops of this State, and not that IF Emo
land Or other Euronaoo