Excerpt from Speech of Hon. Samuel A. Purviance, of Pennsylvania, on the Tariff Question: Delivered in the House of Representatives, January 20, 1859

It ds it of right, because it is the great element of viger which we possess; it is where the strength of this mighty Samson lies, and ought not, and cannot, be surrendered, unless through treachery and Idges ion onithe part of those who ought to be its friends.

T ere is another interest to which I desire to give a passing notice the manufacture of salt. In western Pennsylvania ov er a million of bushels are annually produced, on the Kanawha,1n Virginia, the same; in the Muskingum and Hocking ovalley, one million eight hundred thousand, and at Syracuse, ' and other points in New York, over three millions of blishels per annum. A single company in western Pennsylvania has invested over three hundred thousand dollars in the manufacture of this great staple; and, with a policy on the part of the Government which would invite the employment of additional capital, there is nothing to pievent the United States from furnishing its own supply, without being dependent, to any extent, upon the foreign product.

The home market which these different classes of consumers would af ford to the agriculturists of our own country, now very considerable, would be greatly increased. I have not before me the figures, but believe I am not far out of the way in estimating that two thirds of the peonle of Alle ghany county are connected with, and dependent upon, manufacturing, mining, and mechanical pursuits, leaving the surplus agricultural products of the remaining third greatly deficient in furnishing support to the former, and requiring, to my own personal knowledge, thee agricultural products of the adjoining counties to supply the difference. A few such counties in every State would consume the surplus agricultural products of each, and a home market would be everywhere brought to the door of the producer. If such were the case, in the event of war, the country would be indepen dent, and capable of niaking a vigorous fight. In peace, our people would be prosperous and happy, having at their command the comforts and en joyments of civilization.

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