The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1877-09-19
AN ISSUE AHEAD.


Il seems apparent from the activity Of
the Pennsylvania politicians and from signs
from other quarters, that the cid issue Of d
protective tariff may come up again as an
Important element IN national politics. In
decd. while the Northern sectiou had abso
lutte control over Legislation. the subject Of
protection had its full and unopposcd share,
and all the tariffs since the war have been
framed with direct reference to the protec.
ton If Northern industry. Now. The South
has recognized voice, and tho section that
has taken advantage Of its power to favor
itself breads that inquisition into some Of
The sources Of its wealth which looks to the
equal claims Of other sections upon the 60
yernment.
The North. we,hink. will find things much
changed since tie old battle between high
tariff and free trade was waged. Then the
party of protection had strong ally in the
South n the oil Wing 2arty. That party
was led to follow llsary Clay Though mo,
tiyes Of patriotism, not through the force Of
any inherent strength in the principles Of
protection. The Wings of the South saw
is clearly as did the Democrats, that they
were an agriculture, people, and that il was
their direct interest to support that policy
which would give them the greatest profit
for their products. and this was clearly by
supporting the.doctrine offree trade. But
they learned to sympathize in the patriotic
yearnings Of their great leader 10 build up
American manufactures. only to DO ac-
complished by sacrifices Of profits to which
their industries entitled them to.
Up 10 the period Of the practical down.
fal of the Wing party by the canker Of abo-
lition, that pnrty AZ the South was true to
its faith. Now. there is no Wing party.
aud tie South stands as a unit in its oppo-
sition TO high tariff for protection. 1t
finds out at last, that while the South be-
fore yielded from patriotism. the North was
controlled b intense selishness. and that
it is quite proper the South should exhibit
some human nature too. and look out for IFS
own Interests.
But las the North any reason 10 ask lon
ger protection I: The infancy Of Americas
manufactures has passed. and il they can
no; pow stand slone. Why. let them fall TO
tie ground. The South cannot always af-
ford to play the par. Of vet nurse; and
this she has had to DO At ruinous cost.
lBu, is there danger that they viii 50 FIJI Z
It IS the boast Of the Northern manufactur-
er that he Las acquired such consuinmate
skill 10 his business. that he has brought
terror 10 Manchester. 10 Sheffield. and 10
birmingham; that lie is enabled to under
sell the English cotton weaver in bis own
narkets; that be fills the British Colonial
markets with cutlery aud hardware aud
machinery Of al kinds, and that lie will
soon control the markets Of the whole world.
lftLis was the original object Of tie Ams-
riean system, il has been magnifeently at
tanned but having been 50 attained, il
no longer needs artificial props to sustain
il. The time has como when the whole IA.
riff system needs thorough Overhauling,
and The burdens Of revenue distributed
moro equably Farther protection only
means prohibilory duties. and when these
are levied. then the manufacturer will
be 10 that happy state where he has The
markets all 10 himself, and can exact such
prices as be chooses 10 ask, and tie South,
being without manufactures, except Of The
coarser kind, will Be again triLutaryito tht
North as she was 10 tic carly days Of the
American system and tho South i not vii.
ling to return 70 that point.