Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-04-07

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| our serious consideration, whether tbs act
of rude. un,u,ored nation, be not an act Of
wisdom. every way worthy of our imitation;
| and whether, il we must submit to the evils
resulting from the use OF this deleterlous
stimulent, it would not be wise to secure to
the nation, the ben6t OF furnishing the pol
son from its own resources and industry. 1t
! is confidently believed that greater extent
! of oauperism. moral depravily, and human
misery has resulted TO the people OF the u
| ni,ed States from this cause than any other,
or might say, from combination OF all O.
! tber causes; and why we should add TO these
evils by keeping our ports open TO the re-
ceplion OF forign spirits, is hard to be recon-
cled with any regard in our rulers, to the
public good. know it will be said that we
derive revenue from the importation 81
spirits, and therefore it would be unwise to
prohibit their importation. 1t is readily adj
mit,ed that we derive revenue from the, I'M
portation, bu, il foreign.spirits were problb-
i,ea, could we not derive much more reven.
ne from home distilI ation?-Certainly we
could.
The American distillers secured in none
poly of The business, by the prohibition OF
foreign spirits, could have no reasonable OF
lection to the payment OF a moderate tax for
the privilege.
The entire quantity distilled in the United
States, would produce, athay the duty per
golion charged on the importation Of foreign
spirits, a sum little short uf ten millions OF
dollars per annum. Domestic spirits are
now selling from 95 to 2S cents per gallon
the proposed lax would raise the price to a
bou' 80 cents per gallon, a rate by far too
low for the public good. Every consdera-
ton of sound policy, and regard for the pub
lie interest. would seem 10 dictate the pro-
prie,y of total prohibition of foreign spirits
and of holding domestic spirits, as the sub
ject Of revenue to be taxed TO the utmost
productive extent.
By this course We will be sure to gain either
an increase of revenue, or 10 improve the
habits and condition of our population ; but
most probably both these objects would be
partially obtained. We cannot entirely free
the nation from this evil, so destructive Of
its prosperity and happiness; but by the a.
dortion ofthis course, We might mitigate the
evil. and draw from it some indemnity for
the distresses it inhic.s. legislative pro-
vision to this effect. would, in my opinion be
OF more real benefit 10 the country, than al.
the public acts Of the last session of Congress
twice told; the acts of appropriation and to
borrow money excepted. If we suppose that
the quantity Of foreign spirits here proposed
to be prohibited, must be supplied by home
dIstillaton, the quantity of grain required
for that purpose, would give some relief to
our distressed farmers, and the labour en-
pioyed in distlllalion, would afford some re
lief TO tue labouring class, now greatly dis
lressed for want Of employ.
II lax oil 50 cents per gallon was impos-
ed on hume distillation, it would supercede
the necessity Ct future loans, and enable
the government to pursue steady course IN
necessary measures oil defence and internal
improvement. This tax would raise the
price Of domestic spirits to about Is cents
per gallon, which is still too low for the
public good.
1t is much to be regretted that the people
of the United States should have such easy
access TO the means Of destruc ton TO them
selves and families-and It is equally to be
regretted, that those to whom we have con-
hded the important trust Of "providing for
the general welfare" should have be. n TO-
tally inattentive toa subject of such vital i'm
por'ance to the interest and prosperity of the
nation. 1t is highly creditabIe to the Hay.
tien people, to have given the world an ex
ample OF SO much wisdom, and SO much re
gard for their country's good as the prohib.
ition OF Spirituous liquors This is an act,
that would have done honour to more en-
ligbtened nation.
From some expressions in The Presidents
late inaugural speech, itwould appear that
he may possibly recommend tax on home
dislillaiion Tor the purpose Of revenue; the
extent of his views on this subject are I'm.
known 10 the writer; but revenue is now
much wanted by the government, and this
fit subject oil taxation; it is an article in ge-
| neral use, every man in the community pays