The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-04-15
The Loss of the Many vs.. the Cain of the
Few.

timber as we'll rs her special capacity for
producing the ileecy staple of the South, all
point towards .nills and factories where shall
be manufactured the products OF the soil, in
sufficient quantity to supply our own people
and those OF adjoining States At first the
progress may be slow and painful. The accu-
mutation of capital by the economies OF
labor is tedious process, and we cannot,
as ret, attract and command the use OF the
idle capital lying in the hands Of the for
eigner. But our manufacturing strength
will steadily increase, and with diversified
agriculture and fruitful seasons, will make
South Carolina at least as prosperous as any
Southern State has ever been.
At the same time it must be distinctly un-
derstood that South Carolina will become o
manufacturing State without any reference
whatever to the Protective tariff which is
now oppressDg oil classes OF the people
the tariff which taxes the poor millions, that
the rich hundreds may double and quadruple
their wealth. This State-taking our most
important manufactures as an example
will become large cotton manufacturing
State because cotton yarns and cotton cloths
can be made in South Carolina more cheaply
than they can be made in New England or
in Old England. If cotton yarns can be
manufactured at Lowell more cheaply than
in this State, it is to the interest OF the peo-
pie to continue to buy their yarns from the
Lowell spinners. The erection of the mills,
the money paid in wages, the greater de-
mand for raw material, would all benefit
certain classes in South Carolina, but the
greatest good Of the greatest namber is the
keystone Of political economy and as the con-
sumcrs always largely outnumber the pro-
lucers, the good OF these consumers should he
studied first. I. is clearly the interest OF the
consumer to buy his yarns at the lowest
price. and to make him buy them in South
Carolina when he can buy them for less in
Lowell is cheating and defrauding the South
Carolina consumer to the precise extent OF
the difference in price.
AS We have said, cotton yarns can be
manufactured in South Carolina more cheap
ly than in New England or in Old Eng
land. Our advantages consist OIL, abun-
lant water power; 2, mild climate anu
abundance of timber, making the cost of
fuel small; 3, comparatively low rate OF
wages: 4, the saving in prime cost OF the
raw cotton, and the saving in freights, insu-
rance and commissions According to the
best Information in our possession these ad-
vantages are equal to q saving of about
screen cents q pound ON Number 20 yarns,
delivered in New York. That is to say, the
South Carolina yarns would cost 20 cents,
delivered in New York, while the Northern
yarns ofthe same kind ard quality, delivered
at the same place, world cos. Sc cents. This
difference is so great that the South Carolina
spinner could unicrsell the Northern spin
ner in his own market, until competition
and other Causes reduced the cost of the
Northern production. And the competition
would not lie hciw.cn North and South alGac;
for it is eslimacl that Southern yarns can
be delivered in England at mach less than
the cost Of similar yarns manufactured in
that country.
These statements are Sufficient TO show
that South Carolina can, aud will, become 4
large manufacturer Of cotton, without The
aid Of protective tariffs. We so furthcl>and
assert that, il the Protectionists he in the
right, the South should not be allowed to COM
pete with Rhode Island and Massachusetts,
Tens Of millions of dollars are invested in
the mills os New England. They employ
thousands Of operatives with their families,
and in many other ways contribute to the
general wel!-bcing of trade. Ii South Car
olina can spin yarns at cents pound less
than these Northern factories can spin
them, what will become of mills, operatives
and invested capital? Will not the machin-
cry rust unused? Will not the operative
pine and starve? Will not score suffer in
New England for every single person who is
benefited in South Carolina? This is the
view taken by r:o,cetiouists of any process
which brings any other market into compe-
tition with their c@n. AMI if it is just and
right to impose duty upon English prints,
that they may nos be sold at less than the cost
OF New England prints, ii IS equally just aMd
right 70 impose P'otsctirs duty oi'7 cents
round on South Carolina yaras, SD Mat
they may not be sold at less than tie cost
Of hie Loc:il yaras. 1t is true that the
whole people woull suffer, and lose cents
on every pouad of yarns. But the loss OF the
many and The gain Of the few is the essence
OF Protection doctrine To tax tie consumer
for the advantage OF the producer, is the
cardinal principle Of Protection. And we
repeat ii it is wise and proper to tax Eng
lish manufactured goods until they are as
dear as the American goods, all for the
benefit OF the American manufacturers, it is
equally wise and proper to put high duty
on every Southern manufacture, TO keep the
South from injuring the established trade OF
New England.
CONTROLLERS GENERAL NEAGLE estimated
81 ,r G..