Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-08-29

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extent Of their jurisdiction, and report
system which, while it would not injure
the commerce, should aid the revenue
and save the manufacturers ofour coun-
try. In recommending a general revi-
sion of the existing tariff, we are sensi-
BILE of being exposed to the imputation
of encroaching on the province of other
committees but as they have declined
or refused TO act, hope no objections
on this score will come from them.
From the house anticipate nonc--Con-
fident in the hope that they will inquire,
not SO much from what committee this
bill emanated, as whether its provisions
will promote the general welfare. And
if, in the opinion of the house, this
measure is called for by the distresses
of the country-if it will tend to their
relief, and to restore the nation to its
former prosperity; if ii is essential that
such encouragement should ever be
given to national industry as will enable
US to supply the articles of our own con-
sumption-you have the authority of the
secretary of the treasury for saying that
this is the proper time. In his annual
report on the finances, he tells you this
in the most explicit language; he tells
you, too, that your present revenue is in
sufficient; you must increase it or di-
minish your expenditure, This is a
time of profound peace, when our eX-
penses are those only of an ordinary
peace establishment; no national Gala
nifty has befallen us--yet a lean is ne
cessary for the present year, ard larger
one will be required for the next When
system Of revenue has thus complete
ly failed, and from the operation of PLAIN
and natural causes, when we cannot fat
ter ourselves that, in the present state OF
the world, it can become better, but are
certain that it must become worse, it is
time to look to our situation and retrace
our error. 1t is an unpleasant duty in
any committee to be obliged to examine
existing systems and recommend a
change but it will be at once perceived
that the nation which relies for the means
of paying its expenses solely on imposts,
must encourage tie tmhortation and not
tie manufacture Of its articles Of cot
sumhtton. While this is its policy, its
internal industry must be confined to
articles of export, to pay for foreign
fabrics which are imported. With i'm
portatons, revenue must diminish; and
this has been the reason why all attempts
to promote our own manufactures have
hitherto failed. Now the system must
be changed; you must either make per-
petual loans, or open new sources OF
revenue, by giving a new turn to the Ia
Dor of the nation. At all events, beg
gentlemen to consider that, to me, the
danger to the treasury is no answer to
this bill; lift is empty, it is not my fault.
Two short years since, was in a proud
minority Of FIVE that opposed the repeal
Of those taxes which, if continued, would
have given you an abundant revenue.
If, in their abolition, the encouragement
of manufactures has been retarded, let
no inconsistency be charged upon me
if the system has failed, it is not because
it has not had its full and fair operation,
but because ii is inconsistent with the
present situation OF this country and Eu
rope. You may resort to temporary cx-
pendients ; but the people of this coun-
try will not consent to a continual ac-
emulation of debt, in order to protract
a system which can alone heal the gene
raj distress. What must be done should
be done soon. The able and intelligent
officer at the head of your finances, tells
you this is the time; and tell you, that
you may as we'll avoid the approaches of
old age or the stroke of death, as a
change in your financial system. You
must not wait till the voice of the pco-
pie calls for it in language which you
cannot resist, and when the revulsion
will be so sudden as to shake to its foun-
dation the system to which gentlemen
now cling SO eagerly. If this miserable
system Of impost, as the exclusive
source of revenue, is necessary for the
support of commerce, if the internal in
dustry of the country is to be checked
and protracted till public opinion de-
mands the change let gentlemen beware
lest all parts Of the system go together.
Those who row complain that the COM
mittee of manufactures propose too
much, will, when that day arrives, (and
come it musD regret the rejection OF this
bill, which proposes change-gradual,
but necessary for the prosperity OF the
country. In proposing it, the committee
are aware that from one side of the house
we shall be assailed with the cry Of
YOU will ruin commerce; from the 9TH
er, agriculture and from all, smuggling