The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-05-11
Professionalism Political Future.

Protection-TheP Political Future.
A very large convention Of manufac.
turers have met In New York to consider
their interests. PETER COOPER was chosen
president at the organization on "Wednesday
and made an Introductory speech, assum-
ing that the interests and the independ-
ence of the nation depended on encour-
aging domestic manufactures. The great
debt of the nation he considered as afford
ing the best opportunity to levy heavy
protective duties on foreign imports, which
woulh encourage domestic industry and
promote the general independence of the
nation Of foreign fabrics.
At no time was the policy Of protection
pressed with so much earnestness as now,
and nothing will be left undone that csn
helm to establish a tariff upon q scs,e o,
very high protection. The large amount
OF the national debt is q plausible argu.
ment in favor Of indulging what is repre-.
sented as a patriotic impulse in behalf OF
domestic manufactures. Yet powerful
interest is now about to be arrayed against
protection, which, under the peculiar re-
lations of parties in other days, did not
manifest itself. This interest is the West.
ern agricultural interest, which will be a
powerful and steadily increasing force
II will be jealous Of all schemes that will
take the tax off Of capital and place il
upon labor and the poor consumers of the
country.
The West will not at all like the idea OF
paying a tax on the things it may con-
su-oe. simply to benefit the manufacturer,
while it may not increase the revenue Oh
.,o Federal Goyernment-hight tariffs tend
81, 70 diminish importations and never
;ncreas;ng revenue in proportion to their
own increase.
The West has already given some strong
SIGNS of the disposition it entertains ana
&c the position it will take, at least after
the nation passes through its present
+rons;,;on state. Issues will then come uE
in order, and will be regarded upon. theil
merits freed from extraneous consldera
tions. Capital as represented by manu-
features, and capital as absorbed IN TO
vernment stocks, will be looked upon witt
jealousy by the producing and CONSUMING
classes. The question Of protection vii
be closely allied to that of the apport'on
ment of tqration. They will be canvasse
with great freedom and earnestness' an
there will be an array Of strength on bot
sides not equalled by the parties to tn
former struggles on the tariff question
this country. Those who have made
much out of the war, and who have bee
fattening on the heavy burthens OF taxa
ton sustained by the great body OF tn
people, will struggle, indeed, with despera
ton against anything that will diminls
their incomes and curtail their fairness.
The protectionists and their opponent
will be divided on the question OF the pup
lie debt. The former will be indifferent
if not positively opposed to, its reduc
ton. The latter will be earnestly DESTROYS
its rapid diminution and we strongly sus
pect that if this is not accomplished, SOM
mode of reducing taxation by getting III
of some part of the interest on the puoh
debt will be powerfully sustained, and pos
sibly succeed. The issue of non-interest
bearing Government currency in lieu O
the Government bonds, for instance.
The political field undoubtedly promises
after awhile, great activity and interest.