Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-01-25
From the Chicago Republican.
stable and Permanent PrOtec-
lion.

CAaoAN anu n = 1AN~1Nh~ - 49,
lion.
The Wooden Manufacturers Conyen-
ton, held in this city on Wednesday
lnst, bit the nail on the head by deelar
ing THAT cur wooden manufacturing
interests require stability and perma
nency of our tariff laws" Had this
,ngacious and productive policy been
applied 10 our system Of impOsts from
the FIRST, We would lot now be purchas
ing annually from foreign countries
e5,O0O.O00 pounds of wool, represent
iug SO 100000 sheep, or 100000
more than the entire number now in the
United States and subtraciing every year
some .S24, in gold from our
Golfers, which might otherwise be retain
ed to enorgizs every channel Of industry,
to say nothing regarding the regular inn
portation of wooden fabrics.
Even under the imperfect and fiuctua-
ting protection granted to our manufac-
turing enterprises, they have multiplied
with surprising rapidiIy, developing our
dormant resources to a wonderful degree,
and pointing the way to rational pros
perity, independence and security. If
such have been the fruits of vacillating
policy, what might not reasonably have
been expected from a contrary coursel
Some decades ago, only few wooden
mills existed in this country. and nearly
all these were located in New England.
This manufacturing interest was so feeble
and unimportant. at that period, that
inventors of improved machinery, appli-
cable to the production of wooden goods,
looked from their native land to England
for remuneration. Now this growing
Northwest contains several times as
many wooden mills as there were to be
found upon the whole of our soil.
The extensive and unoccupicd prairies
Of this section are peculiarly fitted for
sheep growing, and nothing would so
stimulate this pursuit as stable system
Of tariff protection. The market OF
each nation properly belongs to its own
laborers, and nothing more efectually
secures that than manufactures, while
these cannot prosper fully or steadily
under huctuating legislation, periodically
letting loose upon them the rapncity Of
foreign capitalists engaged in the same
branch Of production. The three great
sources of national neutrality-suspicious.,
commerce. manufactures-are harmoni
Gus in interest. Our fathers grouped
them on the country's shield in loving
accord, emblematic of their reciprocal
dependency. Repress one, AID we
repEess all. Remove manufactures. and
labor would be diverted from a chosen
held, TO BE- employed in deranging and
depressing every other pursuit. Build
up manufactures, and new class of con
sumers who, at the same time, are pro.
ducers, Is created, comprising an impor-
tant addition to the farmers customers
and giving increased impetus 10 internal,
- well as often to ocean, commerce.
If we could have stability and per
InaBency of tariff laws, limited even Ia
period Of twenty years, Ead liab.s
only TO changes not affecting the general
principle Of protection, such whir Of
machinery would arise all over the land,
such an opening of mines, such a smell
Jug Of ores, such telling of forests
such baIIdins Of ships. such a fabrica
ton Of commodities, such an extension
Of railroads, such an increase of popula
ton, as would set onr magnificent coun
Try on the highest pinnacle Of prosperity,
independence aud security. Inventive
talent, stimulated to IFS highest efforts
would achieve vast Improvements upou
present methods; and this, added TO the
extensive competition of industries,
would cheaper prices. while the want,
OF the people, growing with augment
Hg thrift, would incite the production OF
various articles of comfort or convenience
unknown to our day. Who would
give mp friclion matches for the finder
6Oxf Who would dispense with the
sewing machine, or gutta-percha goods,
OF the photograph, or the modern cook
ing.stOyel These are all Legitimate out
grOwths Of the protective principle.
No class Is moro interested in its stable
and permanent application TO manufac
turing inter ests than the laboFer. 1t is
enphatically the poor mans friend; for
It diversiies pursuits, furnishes new
employment to industry. relieves other
occupations from unhealthful competition,
and gradually cheapens commedities.--
Every part of the growing Vest should
be dotted. not only with Wooleu mills,
but with cotton mills. forges, furnaces,
machine shops, and factories. The man
who lives by the sweat of his face votes
for his well-being and bettered condition
when he votes for men who favor stable
and permanent protection