"the creation of a home market is not only necessary to procure for our agriculture a just reward of its labors, but it is indispensable to obtain a supply of our necessary wants. . suppose no actual abandonment of farming, but, what is most likely, a gradual and imperceptible employment of population in the business of manufacturing, instead of being compelled to resort to agriculture. . is any part of our common country likely to be injured by a transfer of the theatre of [manufacturing] for our own consumption from europe to america? ". . suppose it were even true that great britain had abolished all restrictions upon trade, and allowed the freest introduction of the [products] of foreign labor, would that prove it unwise for us to adopt the protecting system? the object of protection is the establishment and perfection of the [manufacturing] arts. in england it, has accomplished its purpose, fulfilled its end. . the adoption of the restrictive system, on the part of the united states, by excluding the [products] of foreign labor, would extend the [purchasing] of american [products], unable, in the infancy and unprotected state of the arts, to sustain a competition with foreign fabrics. let our arts breathe under the shade of protection; let them be perfected as they are in england, and [then] we shall be ready . . to put aside protection, and enter upon the freest exchanges." henry clay, speaker of the house of representatives, speech in congress, 1824