Northern Economic Complaints regarding Secession

(a) “She would seek to cripple the North” Boston Herald, November 12 1860

Should the South succeed in carrying out her designs, she will immediately form commercial alliances with European countries who will readily acquiesce in any arrangement which will help English manufacturing at the expense of New England. The first move the South would make would be to impose a heavy tax upon the manufacturers. In this way she would seek to cripple the North. The carrying trade, which is now done by American vessels, would be transferred to British ships, which would be a heavy blow aimed at our commerce. It would also seriously affect our shoe trade and the manufacture of ready-made clothing, while it would derange the monetary affairs of the country.

(b) “Trade between the two sections will be materially decreased”, Philadelphia Press, March 18 1861

One of the most important benefits which the Federal Government has conferred upon the nation is unrestricted trade between many prosperous States with divers productions and industrial pursuits. But now, since the Montgomery Congress has passed a new tariff, and duties are exacted upon Northern goods sent to ports in the Cotton States, the traffic between the two sections will be materially decreased …. Another, and more serious difficulty, arises out of our foreign commerce and the different rates of duty established by the two tariffs which will soon be in force …

The General Government, … to prevent the serious diminution of its revenues, will be compelled to blockade the Southern ports … and prevent the importation of foreign goods into them or to put another expensive guard upon the frontiers to prevent smuggling into the United States. Even if the independence of the seceding Commonwealths should be recognized, and two distinct nations thus established, we should still experience all the vexations, and be subjected to all the expenses and annoyances which the people of Europe have long suffered, on account of their numerous Governments, and many inland lines of custom-houses. Thus, trade of all kinds, which has already been serious crippled would be permanently embarrassed …