Washington telegraph., 1862-02-19
FaEE TRADE FOR THE SoUTH.-Thc

FREE TRADE FOR THE SOUTH.-Thc
last issue of the estate Gazette" has an
article on the true policy Of the South
with regard to imposts and customs, with
which we most heartily concur. The ed
itor, indeed, has anticipated US, in the
very views set forth. We intended shorts
y saying the same things. We had
conversation with our esteemed represen-
tative in Congress. just before his depar-
ture for Richmond, and learned with
much pleasure that he had been long for
cibly impressed with the policy aud i'm
portance, to the South, of absolute and
unlimited free trade. We are Just start-
ing on our career as new government.
To-day we are only under provisional
arrangement. Before our next issue, the
Constitution of the Confederate States,
and the permanent government under its
provisions will be 10 full operation. On
the 22d our first President will be inaug-
urated, and our first Congress 60 into op-
Grafton. Let us get rid at once of ell the
old dry husks of political science, based
upon the prejudices of early education
Let US follow no longer the old channels
af craftsmanship, srooved out BY the pro-
fessional diplomasts of nouarchial govern
ments, and calculated to increase the
power aud patronage Of the government,
by expressing the people 50 silently and
stealthily as to ward off insurrection.
Ii was under such motives that the
system of duties On imperrs and exports
was originally founded They were con-
sidered as royal prerosatives, by which
revenues were to be created for the support
of royal spleDdor. aud means Of royal pat
ronage; and indirectly drawE from the
tie pockets of the people. when direct
taxation for far less amounts, would have
led to rebellion. But the system, like
the tabled Vampire of the tropics, none
the less surely drew the blood aud
emaciated the body of the subject, be
cause he did not feel the process, aud was
all the while gently famed to sleep by
cooling wings.
| Were it not for certain old fixed ideas
of onrs which often stick like birdlime In
the brain, long after they become irrecon-
cilable with reason, we would recognize
1t, at once, as an axiom that the highest
individual prosperity (and Of course the
greatest national wealthy i achieved by
selling all our surplus products 10 the
highest markets we can find, and buying
our supplies in the cheapest. Whatever
is not paid out for . certain amount Of ne
cessary supplies which we cannot ourselves
produce, is so much save to the consum-
er, aud the balance remains In his pocket
lie is that much richer, and cannot COM
plain, that he is bound equally with all his
fellow citizens to pay only his proportion
of necessary tax, whereas otherwise he
aud other consumers would have indirect
ly raised the whole of the revenue The
tree trade makes all fair aud even -
Wills, it curtaiis necessary individual ex-
peuses, By aifording cheaper foreign sup.
plies; III connection with direct t.xation
1t throws the burien Of government
equally, uu the shoulders Of ali.
The argument cianot be pursued a,
length III the chiunuS Ut newspaper IL
would make volume IN p lltic i ccOno
ny. We eau Unly touch the salient
points, aud be tie means Of suggesting
traius of thuughr IL our readers, which
puasu-d at leisure must lead to right con
ciusI0nS
Ii is no objection to free trade, that
many articles, indispensable to u in time,
; II wLr, cinpot be profitable made a, home
n confpcti,iou with foreign rnanufactur
as lhs is indeed not true III itself -
Almost all Deces>aries of war can aud vii
DC pruhtably made in Qua midst, BY iudI
vldua enterprise The cost of transport
ing raw maoerlals to Europe, aud the man
uiactured goods back is sufficient protec-
ton. But admitting its truth j; wonld
be lar better for our government 20 estab-
lsh aud maintain manufactures for these
special objects, As they do armies, aud
keep proper supply always on hand; then
to make the probable necessity for de.
fence, which may nevea arise, the pretexr
for VICIOUS system, day BY day, oppres-
sing the people.
But the crowning argument is unan
| SWtIdU!c. DlIeck ldAdllDu Is our Dest ue
fence against political corruption. When
money flows out of the hands of the peo-
lle into the treasuary by silent and imper
cepibe Thannels. fhcy are apt to care
: little about its disposition. Those who
contest it have sure tenptstions for ex
travagance and corruption. Too much tC
be safe for human nature. When the
aapeai is made directly TO the citizen t.
pay his quota, he is apt to consider wheth
er or not the demand is required BY Jn-
dicious economy. or whether he is & cOn'
tribute to the folly and vices Of corrupt
or inefficient rulers. lie is watchful and
the pubic servant is aware that he i m
der 'he eye Of tile people. Woe. unto
him theu if he proves italthless. y
rss- The Louisville Gurier contains ;
long and interesting account 0. the battle
of Eisbinc creek uffe arcount seem,