"Industry, if left to itself, will naturally find its way to the most useful and profitable employment. Whence it is inferred that manufacturers, without the aid of government, will grow up as soon and as fast as the natural state of things and the interest of the community may require.

"Against the solidity of this hypothesis . . . very cogent reasons may be offered . . . [including] the strong influence of habit; the spirit of imitation; the fear of want of success in untried enterprises; the intrinsic difficulties incident to first essays towards [competition with established foreign players]: the bounties, premiums, and other artificial encouragements with which foreign nations second the exertions of their own citizens. . . . To produce the desirable changes as early as may be expedient may therefore require the incitement and patronage of government."

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