No. 151] 311 



Bo not the evidences by which "we are now surrounded .^peak trum- 

 pet-tongued in confirmation of this truth? We have, indeed, fallen 

 upon evil times, or, at least, under the guidance of strange counsels, 

 when this nation is made to halt in its onward march in prosperity, 

 to test a theory which is foreign in its origin, irrational in its con- 

 ception, and at war with common sense. Such, at least, is the 

 opinion which I entertain of the theory of Free Trade. 



We are tauntingly told from day to day, that " protection is hence- 

 forth to be counted among the things that have been." That " a 

 freeman's labor is not entitled to the protection of his government." 

 We would thank them to tell us what this republican government 

 was instituted for, if the protection of its labor, above the serf labor, 

 which belongs to kings and despots, be not among its cardinal du- 

 ties. What was the object sought to be accomplished by those pa- 

 triots whose blood and treasure achieved our independence and sev- 

 ered this empire from the grasp of Britain, if it was not to elevate 

 the mass above bondage and servility? That every man might stand 

 erect in the image of his Maker, and, whilst yielding obedience to 

 God's mandate, " in the sweat of thy brow shalt thou eat bread,'' to 

 feel and proclaim that the curse was not denounced against him 

 alone, but against every man. 



What constitutes the wealth of a nation ? Its labor. What gives 

 us health and muscular strength, and enables lis to discharge the du- 

 ties of citizens? Labor! It is the inheritance of man to labor. 

 Not as the serf labors, as ignorant of the tools he uses, or the ma- 

 chine he operates, as the ox is of the plough before which he toils; 

 with scanted food and miserable raiment; with hovels to repose in 

 and thongs for his back to suit the caprice of a lordling! But rea- 

 sonable labor and reasonable rest, compensated in amount sufficient 

 to afford the necessary comforts of life, that he may train up his off- 

 spring " in the way they should go," and provide moderately for his 

 declining years. This cannot be accomplished without a diversity of 

 labor, so that each may minister to the wants of the other, and all 

 move on in one harmonious whole. For this we ask protection. If 

 a freeman cannot rightfully demand it from his government, his gov- 

 ernment is a mockery. 



It is our belief that the tendency of recent legislation is to reduce 

 the free labor of this republic to a level w'ith the serf labor of the 

 old world. I shall endeavor to show, that although it professedly 

 strikes at the monopolist, the blow is aimed at the mechanic and 



