Literary Cadet And Rhode Island Statesman

To Poor Richard.-Poor Richard is respectfully informed, that his note of the 25th instant, reached us just as our last paper was going to press, and could not then be inserted. or we should have laid it before the public. So much time has now elapsed, that we deem it unnecessary to give it to the world, though, if the writer wishes, we will publish it in the next number of this paper. Will he have the goodness to advise us of his determination?

Relative to his complaint, that another paper had offered to open their columns to the discussion of the great question, "Shall American Manufactures receive the protecting hand of the National Government," and then refused to hear those who approached it with the avowed intention of canvassing fairly and honorably the subject, we have to remark, that we have nothing to do with the private affairs of that paper. We are aware, that the print in question did offer to insert communications on both sides of the subject, and in doing so, they adopted a mistaken and a very silly policy; particularly as they had declared themselves decidedly in favor of the manufacturing interest. It is a rule with us, to take a stand on every public question, and to advocate that side, which we are convinced is best-calculated to promote the happiness and welfare of the Nation; and we will never suffer ourselves or our paper, to publish any thing, that will militate against the cause we espouse. A newspaper that favors, and becomes the champion of both sides of a subject, is not worth maintaining, and is of no benefit to society. As well might a clergyman preach five and twenty different creeds, and support them all; and what would be thought of that man who, at the same time, advocates Mr. Adams and General Jackson. This two-sided kind of policy, will not answer our purpose, and we will not follow it.

We perceive that our friend Poor Richard is opposed to the Manufacturers, and is desirous of exciting a crusade, consisting of the agricultural interests, against them; and it becomes us to tell him, in the spirit of candor and frankness, that his essays, whenever they assume such an aspect, shall not be published by the Cadet. Our paper will, through thick and through thin, support the Manufacturers, and we will not publish any thing that shall have the least appearance of hostility towards them; nor will we open our columns to discuss the propriety of protecting them. Experience has taught us, that the future greatness of this country mainly depends upon the continuation of the American Policy, for the protection of home industry; and being convinced of the fact, we wish no discussion on the subject.

With this frank avowal of our sentiments, we salute our friend "Poor Richard" very respectfully, and assure him, that he possesses our undivided respect, although on the question of expediency, we cannot agree with him. As his last communication is not of a political nature, and says nothing against the manufactures, we again say to him, that it shall be published, if he desires it.