14 fSENATB 



If we begin at home, we find its influence extending to the shop of 

 every species of mechanical operation, while, farther away, we ob- 

 serve it putting in motion the plow, the mill, and the factory. 



Here, under its influence, the blazing furnace is wielding the rough 

 iron with admirable facility, and supplying demands for useful and 

 ponderous machinery, while, there, the encouragement and protec- 

 tion afforded to our cotton, woollen, cloth, carpet, and other equally 

 valuablemanufactories, are so many evidences of the triumphant 

 success and encouragement of domestic manufactures. 



This association has an undoubted influence in causing the true 

 merit of labor to be appreciated and sustained, consistent with the 

 progress of civilization and humanity; and while a premium or a di- 

 ploma is granted by them, there is ample reason for supposing that it 

 is not at the expense of that system of cruelty now pursued in the 

 factories and work-shops of many portions of Europe. Fortunately 

 for the credit of our land, we sustain no prison-houses, where the 

 poor and unfortunate are ground to the dust, where time is robbed of 

 its legitimate value, where industry is underrated, and where prema- 

 ture old age is the harshness of the penalty. The feelings of philan- 

 thropy are yet cherished in our manufactories, and the administration 

 of our government is happily such, that the monopolist and the ty- 

 rant exercise but a limited sway; and protection in this instance, as in 

 all others, is found to manifest its soothing influence. 



If we are disposed to make but a comparison with our beautiful 

 buildings, which characterize the industry of the mechanic of the 

 present day, we discover a pleasing and an enviable contrast with the 

 ruder and more costly edifices which were regarded as ornamental 

 some few years since. They are, in truth, a manifestation of the 

 sleepless and energetic spirit of improvement, and an index to the 

 freedom and encouragment of native workmanship. 



The fever which has so long raged in our principal cities, for the 

 encouragement of foreign importations, is gradually, and it is to be 

 hoped forever, subsiding, while the ridiculous pride which may have 

 prompted the few to imitate the manners and appearance of the ex- 

 quisite and the knave from abroad, is concealing itself in shame; and 

 that true sentiment of refinement, which springs from the protection 

 of our national industry, is rapidly assuming its native bold position. 



