Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-04
TIE 1RoS MANUFACTURERS.

On the same day a committee from the Iron
and Steel Manufacturers Association Of the
United States, waited on the President Capt.
L. b. Ward, of Michigan, as oh hartman, spoke as
follows:
" Mr.. President: have the pleasure to intro
duee TO you the direct representative of the manu-
iacturers of iron and steel in the United States.
They represent the immediate interests of more
than l5OOOO labOring men, who, with their fanii-
les, represent a population of 100000 souls, or
more than the whole population OF Cincinnati,
Chicago and st. Louis.
We are here, Mr.. President, in the hope of
inducing Congress to foster our efforts, and to
protect us against European competition, until
such time at least we can protect Ourselves
We believe that within a very few years the
Southern States will commence the work of get
ting out and bringing into active use the iron,
coal and copper which abounds with such pro-
fuseness throughout their territory. We believe.
Mr.. President, that the Southern States are as
full of wealth as the Northern. and that time will
develop their resources. The Southern States
have now at least two millions of poor whites that
could and should be converted into miners and
manufacturers. and at one dollar per day each,
the aggregate of one years industry alone would
be not less than six hundred million dollars, a
sum which would soon tell upon the prosperity of
the country. Entertaining these opinions, we
met together last evening and passed some resolu-
tons expressing our views in reference 70 the la
boring interests of the country and | have to
say that have the honor to present you with u
copy of the same
Mr.. johnson replied as follows:
All that can say and all perhaps that is pru-
dent for me to say at this time is that am very
much obliged to you for calling upon me. and
thank you for the compliment. l sympthize with
you to the utmost extent in what you propose to
undertake and perform. and might say that my
whole life has been directed towards ameliOrating
the condition of the masses of the people. Every
effort of my life has tended in that direction (;
whether have been correct or not is for others
10 determine, and must be left with time. | am
gratifed to meet you here, and | sympathize in
the labors of your undertaking but while you
are engaged in adopting plans and schemes that
may result in building up and strengthening the
manufacturing interests of the country, you
should be equally engaged and interested in de-
velOping and restoring the principles of the Union
and the Government which think should be the
precursor of what you are undertaking.
The restoration of our Peep lie would be one of
the greatest projections to our home industry that
could be given. Our currency has reached point
OF great imitation. Many are apprehensive that
we cannot stand under such an enormous circula-
ton of currency, and yet fearful if attempt
to contract, we shall be reduced to bankruptcy.
All our moves should be directly te preserving
the currency and preventing ex pansiOn the one
hand and bankruptcy and revulsion on the other.
1t to that in this work. which affects the
man ufacturing, agricultural and mining interests
of the country the first thing TO be done to labor
for the restoration OF the government. II we
could enlarge the area in which currency is to
circulate, and increase the number of hands in
which it is to pass, we should CORRESPONDENCE
give il seunder basis without taking out dol
eminent and the industrial products of the South.
we thereby widen the area of circulation, and
along with II bring into the markets of the coun-
try millions of tobacco and cotton. This Is very
importantitem, and would strengthen the country
an increase the demand for all manufacturing
productions.
1t seems te me that the most powerful stimalus
that could be given to these interests would be TO
restore our Government. IL would increase the
demand for manufacturing articles of all kinds.
By restoring the country you increase its ability
| to pay tXaes You could leave the present rate
of tariff rs it is, if YOU could take away this in
ternal revenue tax. By getting rid of this inter.
nal revenue tax YOU would cOrrespondingly in
crease protection to your manufacturing and ag-
ricultural interests. / think that as fast as we
can, we should get away from these internal
taxes that now rest so heavily upon the industrial
products, of the country. Anything | can do
will do that will tend to strengthen the resources
| of our country. | sympathiZe with you, and |
trust and hope your efforts will succeed and eX-
tend country is restored and peace returns.
To these remarks. Captain Ward responded as
| follows: I've believe. Mr.. President, that the
constant drain upon us and our resources is the
vast importation that comes from England. We
believe that that drain will produce very disas-
trous results, unless the present tariff is increased
So far the currency is concerned, If il is greatly
reduced we believe it will result in disaster and
| bankruptcy"
Mr. Johnson--As have remarked, if we restore
| this Government. and thus increase the demand
for articles, our currency will be placed upon
n frmer basis. / think this does away with all
arguments for diminution of the amount of cir
| culaton: but there is one thing of paramount
consideration-let us have Government; let us
| have united people, then we have got Govern
ment.
Mr. E. B. Ward-Mr. President, We are here all
| laboring under the belief that we have Govern
mcnt.
Mr., Johnsen-Then let us have wide area for
everything to be carried on.
| The several members of the Association were
| then introduced TO the President by Capt. Ward,
and Immediately thereafter retired.