Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1865-10-27

Mr.. EDIToR:-I have just read, with pleas
ure, the short but comprehensive letter Of Gen,
Buckland, our representative in Congress- &c
the Secretary of the Society for the Protec-
tion of American Industry" l rejoice a. the
appearance of this letter, as indicating the views
of our representative on subjectsof trahscen-
dent importance TO the American people, and
the support which the policy of Protection is
to receive from him. And / avail myself Of
this occasion to commend this subject 10 great
er consideration than it has generally, especial
ly for many years past received. No other
question of governmental policy SO deeply, SO
vitality affects the natiouaiPrOsperi as this;
yet strangeas is the fact, itreceives the atten-
ton of comparatively small portion of the
people of this country. The result of this in.
attention or indifference, is, that the masses Of
our citizens do not properly understand the
question-in fact they are not aware how es-
sentially their own pecuniary interests are in
vOlved in it. Hence, when commercial re-
yulsion or financial crisis, commonly called a
''crash, " comes upon us, interrupts our pros
perity, and sends distress and suffering among
the industrial classes, throughout the country,
there are multitudes who do not know the cause
of the calamity. Not a few then would be sur
prised if told that they were themselves, in
part, the authors of their own misfortunes; that
these reverses were the legitimate fruits of that
policy (foisted upon us by John g. Calhoun
and his coadjutors, which virtually established
our workshops on the other side of the Attain
TIC here make the declaration, that, at no
other time than under the operation of that
policy has any such crisis occurred. Invaria-
bly, has it itsucceeded aiperiod of excessive i'm
portations, and of unusual expectations of spe-
Gle to pay the balances of trade against u.s. il.i
What contributes to render this an important
question at the present time is the fact, that
our imports are now going ON at the rate of
more than 100000, 900 year, with the pros
peet of much less than the usual amount of
exports, which viii, from present appearances,
not much exceed one half of the amount Of our
exports The balance, of course, must be paid
iu cash, government bonds and other securities.
To such extent have our bonds already gone
abroad, that forty to fifty millions of our coin
will necessarily be sent out of the country to
pay the annual interest. And if these enor-
NOUS importations shall continue another year,
it is difficult to tell how we are to avoid another
Of these reverses which have uniformly follow
ed such a policy.
1t is the present and prospective condition of
the country that gives consequence to the agi-
tation and discussion ofthe question under con-
sideration. The :'Society for the Protection of
American Industry has been formed for the
purpose of disseminating Information upon this
subject; and trust it will not relax its efforts
until thekquestion shall be familiarly under
stood by the people of this State, or all who are
within the sphere of the Society's operations.
Aud it is ardently hoped that similar Associa-
tions will be organized throughout the country.
am persuaded their salutary effects would in
due time appear in the establishment ofa sound,
iudicious protective policy, which would pro-
vide an efectual safeguard against those inter-.
ruptions to our prosperity which have SO often
occurred. ..a
What commends the Association referred to,
to the popular favor is that it does not treat or
discuss the question as party measure, Among
its most active members and its officers are gen.
tlemen of both the great political parties. At
this l rejoice. In this way was the question
treated until the time of General Jackson's Ad-
ministration, and including the same. He was
known as one of the high tariff advocates ofthat
day His opinions stand on the public records
in favor of that policy. For his advocacy of
this policy he was supported by the North, and
his support of it he received
the support of the South. 1t was not then a
party question. So let it now be sustained up
on the ground of its merits. Let it receive the
careful, candid attention of the American peo-
pie. Being thus considered and investigated,
the public Judgment will decide in favor of the
of a judicious, effective policy,
which shall secure to labor in the several bran
ches of domestic industry an adequate reward.
-H...t 81, .t-ss-!tt .4E s. L. r.