Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-10-08

| markets with much of our products. But we have
heretofore endeavored to discuss this subject under
Its appropriate head, and to those who may have
read what We said there, what we might further
add here upon the subject would be but repeti-
ton of what was said there. We alude to the PAM
phlet entitled "Our Currency"
Protection of our domestic industry. No man in
the Confederacy would advocate or urge it more
| earnestly, or more strenuousy, than we would
Would that we could do it more forcibly. We all
know, and feel by this time certainly the necessity
and importance of so doing. Every days, indeed
We may say, every. hours experience almost since
the commencement of our troubles, is admonishing
US OF it in way not to be misunderstood. But let
us effect it only by true, polite and safe MEANS
we would not endanger the safety and integrity OF
the Contederacy for the sake of it. and for that rea
son, would utterly discard tariffs of duties and adopt
the means suggested :.
But, say the sugar planters of Louisiana, or the
iron makers of the various States, would the
of protection herein proposed be adequate? To the
sugar planter we answer that the reasons are by no
means obvious, why he cannot cultivate the sugar
cane and manufacture it under "pro rata" condi-
ton of our currency, compared with other curren-
cies quite as cheaply as it can be done under those
currencies or any one of them. 1t he cannot, then
We beg leave to suggest, with due difference, that
the important enquiry arises for his consideration
whether it is worthy of his further pursuit, and
this enquiry, we beg leave to say, is pressed and
urged upon him by the highest and most important
considerations; the integrity OF the Confederacy
may hang upon it; but if he can, then clearly, he
has the cost of the transportation of the foreign
tcle, the time it requires, and the consequent delay
in receiving payment for it; the risk insurance.
off, commissions, storage, and other expenses Incl
dent to it, all in his favor. These surely ought,
ceteris paribus, to afford him sufficient protection
and Il large profit The iron men are in still bet
ter condition, for all competition with them is at
much greater distance than with the sugar planter,
and the only sound reason why he cannot make iron
Of better quality, and at lower prices than it can
be made in England or Scotland, or elsewhere in
Europe is the great difference in the comparative
amounts of the currencies of the countries ours is
an unlimited and inflated one, those of England and
Scotland and indeed of all Europe are limited and
much more contracted. That of Germany for in
staEce is, believe, it was not many years since
we know, confined to gold and silver Besides, all
the material for making iron is much more abun- !
dant and under pro rata currency, would be much
cheaper here than there other sound reason can
be assigned for the comparative cost of iron here
and there, than the difference of the currcncies of
the two countries. And as it is with sugar and
with iron, so it is with the manufacturers of cotton
and indeed, with most Of the articles that have been
imported so largely into the United States
But shall we not indulge in some degree, of retail
iation upon foreign governments who tax our ex-
ports to them, in some cases. so enormously? Yes,
and that by the very means above suggested for the
protection of own industry. They will do it
efectually, and whenever our currency shall have
been made to bear true pro rata relation to theirs
shall have, at least, three thousand miles of
transportation aud every expense incident to it,
all operating as tariff in favor, but without
any Of its deleerons and dangerous consequences;
but let not for the sake of mere retaliation, CRATE
full as the indulgence of it may be to our feelings,
be suicidal IN the means We use for eacctlng it
Let US not use a two edged weapon which, whilst
it may wound them, must us in twain. The !
use of the means suggested, will be no experiment.
They have been tried for years-are bslng used
efectually herein before stated, the other side
of the Atlantic; and their operation upon can
only be safely counteracted or prevented by our
adoption and use Of them. We can descend as low |
in the scale of currency as any of them, and that
not only without de:rment to ourselves, but with |
great advantage. To be the great deposit Of the |
refuse and trash of the commercial worli at any |
price is not very desirable by any means but to !
pay we have done for it. is folly IN the extreme |
Finally, we say, by way of brief recaptulaton, ,
give free trade. E>chew tariffs, raise the neces-
Sary revenue by direct taxation; encourage domes-
tic industry, promote, foster and protect it. give
TO the general government the control mana cement
and regulation of the currency; and the Southern
Confederacy by careful, intelligent and provislcnt
regulation and management of it, and by course of
wise and polite legislation, in other respects, may
attain eminence heretofore reached by any
people within the limits of historical record. Our
ardent prayer is, that she may do So and that Eto
pe,Petua. The AUTHOR OF
"OuE CURRENCY"
Raleigh, Sept. 1862.