SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN THE SOUTH. 79 



and admit that the encouragement of a national wool indus- 

 try rises above all questions of economical theory, and that 

 it comes within those exceptions to the theory of free -trade 

 which even Chevalier, Mill, and Bright are compelled to 

 concede, for the necessities of a nation's existence. Wool- 

 growing, unlike the production of any other textile material, 

 can be advantageously pursued in every State of our terri- 

 tory. No single industry can be mentioned so cosmopolitan 

 in its character as that of the production and manipulation 

 of wool, or to which national encouragement can be given 

 with less risk of rousing sectional jealousies. The wool- 

 industry is eminently national in its character, because it 

 subserves the two great primal necessities of a people, 

 those of food and clothing. Sheep, by their manure, are 

 capable of doubling the product of the wheat-lands on which 

 they are raised. Their flesh is the most nourishing of all 

 animal food. A sheep husbandry, made abundant by legisla- 

 tive encouragement of wool-production is the most effectual 

 means of diminishing the cost of all animal food to our whole 

 population, and thus may be truly said to reimburse manifold 

 the alleged increased cost of clothing to our people caused 

 by the protective duties on wool. The wool-industry is a 

 necessity for the highest national development ; because it 

 promotes the highest arts of stock-breeding, is an indispensa- 

 ble adjunct to the most advanced form of agriculture, 

 a mixed husbandry, and its pastoral form is the pioneer to 

 new settlements. In its manufacturing department, it more 

 than any other industry promotes the highest mechanical, 

 chemical, and decorative arts ; and is the invariable precursor 

 of a diversified manufacture, with its attendant results of 

 wealth and culture. 



These considerations are suggested, not as claims for high 

 protective duties on wool or manufactures of wool, but as 

 reasons for deliberation and wisdom in fixing the duties on 

 those articles which are required for the national revenue. 

 The most intelligent wool manufacturers admit the justice 

 and propriety of reasonably protective duties on wool, the 

 only means of affording national encouragement to the sheep- 



