The National Republican and Ohio Political Register, 1823-03-14

It has been objected to this bill, that it will injure our marine, and conse consequently - quently consequently impair our naval strength. How far it is fairly liable to this charge, he was not prepared to say. He hoped and believed it would not, at least to any alarming extent, have that effect immediately; and he firmly believed, that its lasting operation would be highly beneficial to our commerce. The trade to the East Indies would certainly be much affected; but it was stated in debate, that the whole of that trade employed but 600 sailors. But whatever might be the loss in this or other branches of our foreign com commerce, - merce, commerce, he trusted it would be amply compensated in our coasting trade; a branch of navigation wholly in our own hands. It has at all times employed a great amount of tonnage, something more he believed than one third of the whole; nor is it liable to the imputa imputation - tion imputation thrown out by an honorable mem member - ber member from North Carolina, that it produ produced - ced produced inferior sailors. It required long and dangerous voyages; and if his in information - formation information was correct, no branch of trade made better or more skilful sea seaThe - The seaThe fact that it is wholly in our men. hands is a very important one, while every branch of our foreign trade must suffer from competition from other na nations. - tions. nations. Other objections of a political nature were made to the encourage encouragement - ment encouragement of manufactures. It is said they destroy the moral and physical power of the people. This might formerly have been true to a considerable ex extent, - tent, extent, before the perfection of machine machinery, - ry, machinery, and when the success of the manu manufacturers - facturers manufacturers depended on the minute sub subdivision - division subdivision of labor. At that time it re required - quired required a large portion of the popula population - tion population of a country to be engaged in them; and every minute subdivision of labor is undoubtedly unfavorable to the intellect; but the great perfection of machinery has in a considerable de degree - gree degree obviated these objections. In fact, it has been stated that the manufactu manufacturing - ring manufacturing establishments in England furn furnish - ish furnish the greatest number of recruits to her army, and that, as soldiers, they are not materially inferior to the rest of her population. It has been furth further - er further asserted that manufactures are the fruitful cause of pauperism; and En England - gland England has been referred to as furnish furnishing - ing furnishing conclusive evidence of its truth. For his part, he could perceive no such tendency in them, but the exact con contrary, - trary, contrary, as they furnished new stimulus and means of subsistence to the labor laboring - ing laboring classes of the community. We ought not to look to the cotton and woollen establishments of Great Bri -

From the North American Review, No. 38. MISSOURI RIVER. We now see the Missouri stretching far to the north and west, not a tributary, but in itself a principal and mighty river; not of secondary or doubtful magnitude, but beyond doubt the largest river of the known world. The Platte, the Arkansas, and other tributaries of this prodigious stream, would in the old continent be rivers of the first rate magnitude. These,with the Ohio and other eastern branches, draw off the waters of a tract of country now familiar familiarly - ly familiarly designated as "the valley of the Mis Mississippi." - sissippi." Mississippi." To ears accustomed to associate with the term valley the idea of " a low ground between hills" in which a few shepherds might feed their flocks, or a few tenements might find shelter from the wind and storm, this name, first applied to the country of the Mississippi, we believe, by Va - j. - - . Here is Volney, sounds singularly large. I valley, in whose fertile shades there re repose - pose repose more inhabitants than the U. State* contained at the beginning of the revolu revolution. - tion. revolution. A valley, over which two thirds of the continent of Europe might be spread out, and hardly suffice to cover it We have spoken ot the Missouri as the largest river known upon the face of the globe. We shall be understood of course as including the part of the Mississippi, which is below its confluence, and of which the Missouri is undoubtedly the true con* tinuation. According to the best authori authorities, - ties, authorities, the Missouri brings into the common channel four times as much water as the Mississippi; it is at least twice as long, and some of its principal branches are even longer than the last named stream. - The length of this majestic river from its remote sources in the Rocky Mountains, to its out outlet - let outlet in the Gulf of Mexico, is between four and five thousand miles. During three thousand miles of this course its apparent size is hardly diminished, and even at the Mandan villages Mr. Breckenridge informs us, that its full channel appeared to him not less broad or majestic than that of the Mississippi at New-Orleans. Still higher up, it receives tributary branches, which might compare with the Danube or Indus in magnitude. We know of no other ri river - ver river which draws from such an extent of country or connects together climates so remote and dissimilar. The Amazon, for formerly - merly formerly accounted the chief of streams, hard hardexceeds - exceeds hardexceeds C three quarters of the length of he Missouri. The Macquarrie of New Holland, which from its size and distance rom the sea in the direction of its course. vas a few years since imagined to exceed ill other rivers in extent, has since been ridden down into bogs and morasses.'* There remains but one stream which, for he palm of superiority, may hereafter come nto competition with the Missouri, and his is the Niger.

means of obtaining an immediate naval ascendancy, he acknowledged that the policy recommended by this bill would be very reasonable; but as that is not the fact, as it is a period remote with any exertion,and will be probably more so from that relaxation of exertion so natural in peace, when the necessity is not felt, it became the duty of this aouse to resort, to a considerable ex extent, - tent, extent, at least as far as is proposed, to the only remaining remedy. But to this it has been objected,that the country is not prepared, and that the result of our premature exertion would be to bring distress on it, with without - out without effecting the intended object. - Were it so, however urgent the rea reasons - sons reasons in its favor, we ought to desist, as it is folly to oppose the laws of necessi necessity. - ty. necessity. But he could not for a moment yield to the assertion; on the contrary, he firmly believed that the country is prepared, even to maturity, for the in introduction - troduction introduction of manufactures. We have abundance of resources, and things na naturally - turally naturally turn at this moment in that di direction. - rection. direction. A prosperous commerce has poured an immense amount of commer commercial - cial commercial capital into this country. This capital has, till lately, found occupa occupation - tion occupation in commerce; but that state of the world which transferred it to this coun country, - try, country, and gave it active employment,has passed away, never to return. Where shall we now find full employment for our -prodigious amount of tonnage; where markets for the numerous and abundant products of our country? This great body of active capital,which for the moment has found sufficient em employment - ployment employment in supplying our markets, ex exhausted - hausted exhausted by the war and the measures preceding it,must find a new direction; it will not be idle. What channel can it take but that of manufactures? This, if things continue as they are, will be its direction. It will introduce a new era in our affairs, in many respects highly advantageous, and ought to be countenanced by the government. Be Besides, - sides, Besides, we have already surmounted the greatest difficulty that has ever been found in undertakings of this kind. - The cotton and woollen manufactures are not to be introduced; they are al already - ready already introduced to a great extent,free extent,freeing - ing extent,freeing us entirely from the hazards, and in a great measure the sacrifices, ex experienced - perienced experienced in giving the capital of the country a new direction. The restric restrictive - tive restrictive measures and the war, though not introduced for that purpose, have, by the necessary operation of things,turn things,turned - ed things,turned a large amount of capital to this new branch of industry. He had often

most enlarged sense. Without com commerce, - merce, commerce, industry would have no stimu stimulus; - lus; stimulus; without manufactures, it would be without the means of production; and without agriculture, neither of the others can subsist. When separated entirely and permanently, they perish. War in this country produces to a great extent that effect; and hence the great embarrassment that follows in its train. The failure of the wealth and resources of the nation necessarily involved the ruincf its finances and its currency. It is admitted by the most strenuous advocates of the other side, that no country ought to be dependent on another for its means of defence; that, at least, our musket and bayonet, our cannon and ball, ought to be of domestic manufacture. But what, he asked, is more necessary to the de defence - fence defence of a country than its currency and finances? Circumstanced as our country is, can these stand the shock of war? Behold the effect of the late war on them. When our manufactures are grown to a certain perfection, as they soon will under the fostering care of government, we shall no longer ex experience - perience experience these evils. Manufactures fostered, the farmer will find a ready market for his surplus produce, and what is almost of equal consequence, a certain and cheap supply of all his wants. His prosperity will diffuse it itself - self itself to every class in the community, and instead of that langour of industry, and that individual distress, now inci incicident - cident incicident to a state of war, our suspended commerce, the wealth and vigour of the community, will not be materially impaired. The arm of government will be nerved; and taxes in the hour of danger, when essential to the inde independence - pendence independence of the nation, may be greatly increased. Loans, so uncertain and hazardous, my be less relied on. Thus situated, the storm may beat without, but within all may be quiet and safe. To give perfection to this state of ; things, it will be necessary to add, as J soon as possible, a system of internal i improvements, and at least such an ex exI - I exI tension of our navy as will prevent the cutting off our coasting trade. The advantage of each is so striking as not to require illustration, especially after the experience of the recent war. It is thus that the resources of the gov govI - I govI eminent and people would be placed beyond the power of a foreign war ma materially - terially materially to impair. But it may be said that the derangement then experienced resulted not from the cause assigned, but from the errors or weakness of the government. He admitted, that many financial blunders were commit committed, - ted, committed, for the subject was new to us; that ' the taxes were not laid sufficiently early, or to as great an extent as they i ought to have been; and that the loans

debate assumed this new form, he had determined to be silent; participating as he largely did in that general anxi anxiety - ety anxiety which is felt, after so long and la laborious - borious laborious a session,to return to the bosom of our families. But on a subject of such vital importance, touching, as it does, the security and permanent pros prosperity - perity prosperity of our country, he hoped that the House would indulge him in a few observations. He regretted much his want of preparation; he meant not a verbal preparation, for he had - despised such, but that due and ever ma mature - ture mature meditation and arrangement of thought, which the House was entitled to on the part of those who occupy any portion of its time. But whatever his arguments might want on that account in weight, he hoped might be made up in the disinterestedness of his situation. He was no manufacturer; he was not from that portion of our country sup supposed - posed supposed to be peculiarly interested. - Coming, as he did, from the south; having, in common with his immediate constituents, no interest, but in the cultivation of the soil, in selling its products high, and buying cheap the wants and conveniencies of life, no motives could be attributed to him, but such as were disinterested. He had asserted, that the subject before them was confected with the security of the country. It would doubtless, by be considered a rash assertion: me, it he conceived it to be susceptible of the clearest proof; and he hoped, with due attention, to establish it to the satis satisfaction - faction satisfaction of the House. The security of a country mainly depends on its spirit and means; and on its monied re rethe - the rethe latter sources. principally Modified a the industry of as this country now is, combined with our peculiar situation and want of a naval ascendancy, whenever we have the misfortune to be involved in a war with a nation dominant on the ocean, and it is almost only with such we can at present be involved, the monied re resources - sources resources of the country to a great ex extent - tent extent must fail. He took it for granted, that it was the duty of this body to adopt those measures of prudent fore foresight, - sight, foresight, which the event of war made necessary. We could not, he presumed, be indifferent to dangers from abroad, unless, indeed, the House is prepared to indulge in the phantom of eternal peace, which seemed to possess the dreams of some of its members. - Could such a state exist, no foresight or fortitude would be necessary to conduct the affairs of the republic; - but as it is mere illusion of the imagi imagination; - nation; imagination; as every people that ever have or ever will exist, are subjected to the vicissitudes of peace and war, it must ever be considered as the plain dictate

ted; but he did not think it a decisive objection to the system,especially when it had incidental political advantage* which in his opinion more than coun counterpoised - terpoised counterpoised it. It produced an interest strictly American, as much so as agri agriculture, - culture, agriculture, in which it had the decided advantage of commerce or navigation. The country will from this derive much advantage. Again, it is calculated to bind together more closely our widely spread republic. It will greatly in increase - crease increase our mutual dependence and in intercourse - tercourse intercourse ; and will, as a necessary con consequence, - sequence, consequence, excite an increased atten attention - tion attention to internal improvement, a subject every way so intimately connected with the ultimate attainment of national strength and the perfection of our po political - litical political institutions. He regarded the fact that it would make the parts ad adhere - here adhere more closely, that it would forma new and most powerful cement, far outweighing any political objections that might be urged against the system. In his opinion, the liberty and the union of this country were inseparably uni united! - ted! united! As the destruction of the latter would most certainly involve the for former; - mer; former; so its maintenance will with e equal - qual equal certainty preserve it. He did not speak lightly. He had often and long resolved it in his mind, and he had critically examined the causes that destroyed the liberty of other state*. There are none that apply to us, or apply with a force to alarm. The ba basis - sis basis of our republic is too broad and its structure too strong to be shaken by them. Its extension and organization will be found to afford effectual secu security - rity security against their operation; but let it be deeply impressed on the heart of this house and of the country,that while they guarded against the old, they ex exposed - posed exposed us to a new and terrible danger - DISUNION. This single word com comprehends - prehends comprehends almost the sum of our politi political - cal political dangers; and against it we ought to be perpetually guarded.

is not yet, and cannot for some time be adjusted to the new state of things. There is, in fact, from the operation of temporary causes, a great pressure on these establishments. They had ex extended - tended extended so rapidly during the late war, that many, he feared, were without the requisite surpluscapital or skill to meet the present crisis. Should such prove to be the fact, it would give a back-set to them, and might, to a great extent, endanger their ultimate success. - Should the present owners be ruined, and the workmen disperse and turn to other pursuits, the country would sus sustain - tain sustain a great loss. Such would,no doubt, be the fact to a considerable extent, if they were not protected. Besides, cir circumstances, - cumstances, circumstances, if we are to act with wis wisdom, - dom, wisdom, are favorable to attract to our country much skill and industry. The country in Europe, having the most skilful workmen, is broken up. It is to us, if wisely used, more valuable than the repeal of the edict of Nantz was to England. She had the prudence to profit by it: let us not discover less political sagacity. Afford to ingenuity and industry immediate and ample pro protection, - tection, protection, and they will not fail to give a preference to this free and happy countrv.

the very existence of the nation, then they desert us. Our currency is also sure to experience the shock; and be becomes - comes becomes so deranged as to prevent us from calling out fairly whatever of means is left to the country. The re result - sult result of a war in the present Mate of our naval power is the blockade of our eoast, and the consequent destruction of our trade. The wants and habits of the country, founded on the use of foreign articles, must be gratified; im importations - portations importations to a certain extent continues, of the enemy, or through the policy unlawful traffic; the unlawful traffic; the exportation of our bulky articles is prevented too; the specie of the country is drawn to pay the balance perpetually accumulating against us, and the final result is a total derangement of our currency. To this distressing state of things there were two remedies, and only two; one in our power immediately, the other re requiring - quiring requiring much time and exertion; but both constituting, in his opinion, the essential policy of this country; he meant the navy and domestic manufac manufactures. - tures. manufactures. By the former we could open the way to our markets; by the latter we bring them from beyond the ocean, _1 :_.1_ TT-J-.L