ABSTRACT
The passage of the tariff law of 1824 was an event of no special significance in itself, for the reason that it was only a single forward step in the progressive measures of policy which had existed during the entire life-time of the Government under the Constitution. It was a natural thing to do in the ordinary and wise administration of public affairs. The cultivation of cotton, in what came to be known as the planting States, created a new and important industry, which was finally made to assume an unfortunate and mistaken attitude of opposition to manufactures. Although this interest was included in the general designation of agriculture, it soon acquired a significance peculiarly its own. In 1800 there were only 500 bales produced in the United States; but by 1824 it had come to be the most valuable article of export from this country, and was steadily increasing.
