New-York tribune., 1867-08-09
PROTECTION or AMERICAN INDUSTRY.

PROTECTION or AMERICAN INDUSTRY
We wish beduiies imported metals we're doubled
-THK TRuuNR
To n. EADr tT2c Tribvne
SIR: Having been for many years constant
reader of THE TRIBUNE and having earnestly stryen 10
decide the vexed question OF Protection vs. Freeirade
take the liberty OF making Comments on the above
paragraph.
The result in my mind Of long cogitation, numberless
and acrimonious discussions perpleXng and Intricate
calculations profound study Of yards and reans of stas
ties books reports opinions arguments, petitions reso-
utous speeches. orations letters, arithmetic algebra
Adam smith Henry c. Carey; Ihe IoS anu LsI D. .U
that II il the most difficult problem connected WIN
human aars. and consequently that those VINO pretend
10 solve IL show great ignorance, presumption OF almost
suporhuman wisdom can apparently demOhstthtsv ~
tho most Tofuable manner that 1t would De good poiey
10 protect our home interests In iron, so that our con-
suors would be obliged 10 make use OF the product OF
our own mines Instead Of importing the metal from
Vet when with some necessary changes in the figures
(which do not alter the principle involved SUBSTITUTE
gold" for "rou in the above calculation, the result re
mains the same. detect error Of calculation OF
logic; but know nSnctiycly that the county M%Sna %
gain nothing In pecuniary point OF We" ny
the iuux Of gold know that there must De some eITO
and reasoning by analogy nave aoH f as " ~ INV In
cubcus disregarding iunumerable sdcissues' may DC
summed up In general terms as follows; ~, ..,,
The best policy OF Government Is ihat WHICH VVn'iio
utes most To the happiness OF the people.
Wealth adds To the happiness OF the people -. ..,,
Therefore the best policy Is tat winch uuS luos' W
wealth OF the country. = -, -,
Wealth does mean bullion only, every ehlnki
mental moral, Intellectual or material that contributes
10 happiness But things that are of durable nature as
bullion and metalwork generally, mason-work, wood
work Sc. and some kinds Of mental WORK. aio oi
intrinsic value To the country IN proportion 10 IicI cV
mercal value cost, than things that are quoA Pels
able, such as food elOthnS NC Cr Pd as
paid for principally by food grain %o anu nitetlas
are Included I'M the first OF tho above classes OF articles
durable onesl gain by the exchange, and protection
by diminishing the importation OF them would DC an IN
iiry But when they come under the second OF the
above classes of articles quickly pershabe 9nesl we
tclcs or them; but we do lose II exchange bullion for
them, since we give wealth in durable form Ior that
heavy duty ON Them by diminishing the Importation ana
thereby retaining SO much more baluOh or uuI"pic
Therefore "A iudcious protective policy Is the best
Ajudcous protective policy means free trade ior ar
ures pleased, but protection for such persnane
ones be manufactured at home CIhat inc ptoeS @
on should be confined to those that require but low
tariff for profitable production is sideissue, granting
which does affect the general prineiplel
Of them In your Journal would be satisfaction to many
and might help to put Queens Co on the right side at the
next oi''''O"' '''' '''r GoxG ISLAND FARMER.
Flushing, Queens Co., N. Y, July "a, 1867.
Comments
The first point ttobe defnitively settledis- What
end do you propose to attainP And tits not well
to rest in so vague and general statement as
that the end proposed is the increase OF wealth
Sound logic results naturally from clear concep-
tons and precise definitions.
The chief ends we seek by Protection are
these:
|. Diversifeation of pursuits, so that all de-
scriptions of industrial capacity may be employed.
Thus it is seen thatat the South, in spite OF prom
sing fields, there are thousands of (mainly Wmte)
women and children still on the verge
of starvation. The only industrial pursuits
generally diffused there are agriculture, tim
ber-cuttng, building, teaming, &C., &c.-all re"
quiring robust men, and giving very little
employment to women and children. IT,
now, ten thousand cotton, woolen, and other
factories could be at once established
at the South, creating a vast, general, and
eager demand for the labor of women and
children, the whole region would be promptly
relieved and gradually enriched. She would
be 80 reliovd Il and enriched though her fabrics
should cost twenty-five. pei cent. more money