ommon school.
Decentralization next _protects_ him in the manufacture of school-books,
by creating a large market for the productions of his pen, very much of
which is paid for out of the product of taxes the justice of which is
denied by those who advocate the British policy. Rising to the dignity of
author of books for the perusal of already instructed men and women he
finds himself _protected_ by an absolute monopoly, having for its object
to enable him to provide for himself, his wife, and his children. Of all
the people of the Union, none enjoy such perfect protection as those
connected with literature; yet many of them oppose protection to all
others, while actively engaged in enlarging and extending the monopoly
they themselves enjoy. It will scarcely answer for them to charge
inconsistency on others.

How far the protection already granted has favored the development of
literary tendencies, may be judged after looking to the single case of
dramatic writers, who are not protected against representation without
their consent; and, as that is their mode of publication, it follows that
they do not enjoy the advantages granted to other authors. The consequence
is, that we make so little progress in that department of literature,
while advancing rapidly in every other. Permit me, my dear sir, to suggest
that this is a matter worthy of your attention. There would seem to be no
good reason for refusing to one class of authors what we grant so freely
to all others.

Whether or not I shall have convinced you that international copyright
should not be established, I cannot say, but I feel quite safe in
believing that you must be convinced it is a question which requires to be
publicly and fully discussed before we adopt any action looking in that
direction. It is not a case of urgency. If the treaty be not confirmed,
the only inconvenience to the authors will be delay, and this should be
afforded, were it only to enable them to reflect at leisure upon the
probable consequences of the measure in aid of which they have invoked the
Executive power. Should they continue to believe their interests likely to
be promoted by the adoption of such a measure as that which has been so
pertinaciously urged the doors of Congress will always be open to them,
and justice, though it may be delayed, will assuredly be done. Let them
proceed in a constitutional way, and then, should their desires be
gratified, they will have the satisfaction