The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-09-28

| tlOnlhts III tuebe natlOnb, LOT lle puI IpoS'
of protecting the native manufacturer
and preserving the resources Of th(
country, exist here. And we cannot
but lament, that the arbitrary govern
Inents OF Europe have displayed more
attentions 10 the interest Of their sub
jects interested in manufactures, than
the same description OF persons have
experienced from their fellow citizens
in Congress. The former are protected
by the strong arm OF the law, against the
competition OF every nation whatever
while the latter are exposed 10 the COM
petiOn vi the whole world, and run con-
Sequently to ruin. Ittherefore irresisti.
bly, follows, that SO far as regards the
acquisition OF property, and tue protec-
tiOn Of property acquired, large por'
tion Of this class Of citizens are debarred
from one Of the most substantial advnn-
iages 0f government. This is u strain
On our annals which cannot be regarded
without deep regret, II stain which, We
respectfully hope, Tor the honor OF our
common country, you will speedily OBJ
literate.
WORDS or WISDOM.
Even admitting that the manuiactur-
crs had been guilty, during the war, OF
ten fold the extortion they are uniustly
charged with, it By no means follows
that the prosperity OF our country should
be sacrificed by the Suppression OF its
industries and the protection of that OF
foreign nations, or that therefore manu-
iacturers should not be protected by ade-
Quate duties, lest similar cxtortion
should now be practiced; for, to avail
ourselves OF the cogent and Irresistible
arguments OF Alexander Hamilton, the
competition between our citizens en-
gagged in these branches would secure
1.-The article to the consumers at fair
prices. Though it were true, that the
Immediate and certain effects regulation
controlling the competition OF foreign
with domestic fabrics, was an increase Of
price, it is universally true, that the con-
irary is the ultimate effect with every
successful manufacture. When a do
mestic manufacture has attained to per-
lection, and has engaged in the pr0secu-
tion OF q competent number of persons,
it invariably becomes cheaper, being free
from the heavy charges which attend
the importation OF foreign commodities,
ii can afford cheaper, and accordingly
seldom or never fails TO be sold cheaper,
and in process OF time, than was the for
eign article for which it is Il substitute.
The internal competition which takes
place, soon docs away with everything
like monopoly, and by degrees reduces
the price a. the article TO the minimum
Of reasonable profit on the capital em-
pl0yGd. This acCords with the reason OF
the thing, and with experience"
CAPITAL MusTHAvE ASSURANCE OF SAFETY.
There is in this country a vast amount
Jf capital for which the owners cannot,
in the present deranged state OF affairs,
lind employment. But were there any
assurance OF adequate protection to the
manufactures, it would be Immediately
directed towards those objects. There
are likewise great number OF persons
skilled in the cotton and wooden branch
cs, who are destitute Of employment,
aud who could abuudantly supply the
demands OF the United States, were they
duly encouraged. We have already stated
that, the greater proportion of the labor
is performed by old men, women and
children. Let us add, that were those
branches in such tlOurishing state us to
hold out inducements to emigrants we
should have constant aCcessions to our
population OF persons skilled in them,
any OF whom would bring with them
large capitalists, equal to our utmost
wants, without drawing away aay OF the
capital or labor engaged in husbandry.
TAXING TIE MANY FOR TIE FEW.
Another objection is the injustice OF
taxing the many for the benefit OF the
few. This assumed, the groundless posi-.
ton that the permanent protection Of
manufactures would necessarily produce
permanent high prices, which is refuted
by the luminous maxim quoted above
from Alexander Hamilton. But even
admitting this maxim to be correct, the
objection may be answered fully in an
other mode. Iione part Of community
is not taxed for the benefit OF another,
why is gin dutied, at l24 per cent for the
protection OF the peach brandy and
whisky Of tie farmer, and cheese at 70
per cent? Why the cOasting trade Sc
cure to our merchants, by which foreign
competition is wholly excluded? And
why, we ask, are "the many taxed for
the benefit OF the few," by the enormous
expense Of the navy, foreign embassies,
&c, for the protection Of commerce
The protection OF manufactures is
strongly objected TO on account OF its in
reference with commerce. But emitting
all considerations arising from the gen.
eral distress produced by the existing
system, We ask, have wO at present, or
are we likely TO have any commerce to
which it is right or proper to offer up us
sacrifice the welfare and happiness OF
the useful and productive body Of men
engaged in the manufactured Such is
tho PROSTATE state OF our commerce,
which unfortunately depends in Il great
measure for its success on European
wars aud iamines, that there are few
articles that can be imported, and as few
that can be exported, without loss.
STRIKING ILLUSTRATION.
To foster and cherish national indus
try, the paramount duty, and the char
acteristic features Of good government,
most Of the nations OF Europe either
wholly prohibit. or impose high duties
on, the exportation OF raw materials,
We arc probably the only civilized peo.
pIe who, possessing to an immense ex-
lent, one ot the most valuable raw ma
teriais in the world, not only seRd il
abroad to distant nations wholly free OF
duty, but receive it back in u manufac-
tured state, at an advance OF from one
hundred to two thousand per cent. II
would not be more unreasonable to ex.
mort our wheat TO haze y ground and
purchase il again in the form OF -four
than to sell raw cotton and receive II
back manufactured, as the advance on
flour Yould hardly ever amount to q
third part OF The advance on cambrics and
musiins, beyond tho price Of raw ma
terials, that the labor Of one hundred
thousand cotton manufacturers aided by
machinery, would pay for the amount o
the greatest export Of the production oI