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Editorial
February 8, 1817
Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
Editorial from the Raleigh Minerva opposes protecting domestic manufactures via tariffs, arguing it taxes farmers and laborers by inflating prices, and that manufacturing does not suit the nation's agricultural habits and situation.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
RESTRICT COMMERCE AND FOSTER MANUFACTURES.
I must confess, says the Raleigh Minerva, that I could not see, with approbation, any new steps to protect, as it is called, domestic manufactures. Every measure of bounty to them is a direct draft upon the purse of every other class, particularly of planters and farmers.
Take, for illustration, this single example. Increase the duty upon muslins imported, so that instead of retailing at 50 cents the yard, the foreign article can not be sold under 100! What follows?—not that the American manufacturer sells his article at the old price of 50 cents.—No: he puts it up immediately to the dollar; and thus some farmer or laborer is taxed 50 cents per yard for his encouragement!—The truth is, the true policy, the habits and the peculiar situation of this people being against manufacturing, those establishments cannot be fostered, but as hot house plants are fostered—at an expense which renders them useless for general purposes.
I must confess, says the Raleigh Minerva, that I could not see, with approbation, any new steps to protect, as it is called, domestic manufactures. Every measure of bounty to them is a direct draft upon the purse of every other class, particularly of planters and farmers.
Take, for illustration, this single example. Increase the duty upon muslins imported, so that instead of retailing at 50 cents the yard, the foreign article can not be sold under 100! What follows?—not that the American manufacturer sells his article at the old price of 50 cents.—No: he puts it up immediately to the dollar; and thus some farmer or laborer is taxed 50 cents per yard for his encouragement!—The truth is, the true policy, the habits and the peculiar situation of this people being against manufacturing, those establishments cannot be fostered, but as hot house plants are fostered—at an expense which renders them useless for general purposes.
What sub-type of article is it?
Economic Policy
Trade Or Commerce
What keywords are associated?
Domestic Manufactures
Protectionism
Tariffs
Agriculture
Free Trade
Economic Policy
What entities or persons were involved?
Raleigh Minerva
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Opposition To Protecting Domestic Manufactures Through Tariffs
Stance / Tone
Against Protectionism And Bounties For Manufactures
Key Figures
Raleigh Minerva
Key Arguments
Measures To Protect Domestic Manufactures Burden Other Classes, Especially Planters And Farmers.
Increasing Duties On Imports Raises Prices, Allowing American Manufacturers To Charge More, Effectively Taxing Consumers.
The Nation's Habits And Situation Are Against Manufacturing, Making It Unsustainable Without Costly Subsidies Like Hothouse Plants.