taxes, at their pleasure, upon the foreign imports of the planter, no doubt would exist in the mind of any man that it would have all the characteristics of an absolute and unqualified despotism.”  The economic soundness of this reasoning, a subject of interesting speculation for the economist, is of little concern to the historian.  The historical point is that this opinion was widely held in the South and with the progress of time became the prevailing doctrine of the planting statesmen.

Their antagonism was deepened because they also became convinced, on what grounds it is not necessary to inquire, that the leaders of the industrial interest thus opposed to planting formed a consolidated “aristocracy of wealth,” bent upon the pursuit and attainment of political power at Washington.  “By the aid of various associated interests,” continued McDuffie, “the manufacturing capitalists have obtained a complete and permanent control over the legislation of Congress on this subject [the tariff]....  Men confederated together upon selfish and interested principles, whether in pursuit of the offices or the bounties of the government, are ever more active and vigilant than the great majority who act from disinterested and patriotic impulses.  Have we not witnessed it on this floor, sir?  Who ever knew the tariff men to divide on any question affecting their confederated interests?...  The watchword is, stick together, right or wrong upon every question affecting the common cause.  Such, sir, is the concert and vigilance and such the combinations by which the manufacturing party, acting upon the interests of some and the prejudices of others, have obtained a decided and permanent control over public opinion in all the tariff states.”  Thus, as the Southern statesman would have it, the North, in matters affecting national policies, was ruled by a “confederated interest” which menaced the planting interest.  As the former grew in magnitude and attached to itself the free farmers of the West through channels of trade and credit, it followed as night the day that in time the planters would be overshadowed and at length overborne in the struggle of giants.  Whether the theory was sound or not, Southern statesmen believed it and acted upon it.

=References=

M. Beard, Short History of the American Labor Movement.

E.L.  Bogart, Economic History of the United States.

J.R.  Commons, History of Labour in the United States (2 vols.).

E.R.  Johnson, American Railway Transportation.

C.D.  Wright, Industrial Evolution of the United States.

=Questions=

1.  What signs pointed to a complete Democratic triumph in 1852?

2.  What is the explanation of the extraordinary industrial progress of America?

3.  Compare the planting system with the factory system.

4.  In what sections did industry flourish before the Civil War?  Why?