Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-26

sdor in ruins--&heir :" occupations gone Pre-
yiously TO 1916, revenue was the only object of
impost duties. Had II the /" inevitable effect Of
banisbing our vessels from the Oceann' Since that
period. Congress has kindly extended its encour.
sxenent and protection. Has our commerce in
creased and our vessels multiplied or has not the
Z" inevitable effect been, the manifest diminution
Of our commerce, and the consequent reduction Of
The number Of our vessels! :.
The proposition contained in this quotation is
manifest shifting Of the question. The question
rs NOT, whether Congress has the power to coun.
tersct foreign restrictions on commerce by 81
milar restrictions on theirs. II is, Mr.H. states
H. simple question under the constitution of the
United States, II, in accordance with its provisi-
ons, Congress has the power to protect and foster
domestic manufactures. This change OF the ques-
ton Is maniestty intended 10 obtain the aid Of the
patural feelings OF the community in favor Of the
rights Of their own government, when engaged
in asupposed commercial contest with foreign
nations, and when the e xerciss Of power by the
government 10 declared to be Necessary the pre-.
servaton Of some Of their dearest interests. But
we're this necessity even greater than il is stated
to be, and 1t were found that the exercise of the
power would destroy the rights of private proper
ty, and even uproot the fundamental principles OF
Inc OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES be contended that the
necessity, nevertheless, conferred the right to the
exercise Of the power! No such necessity, how
ever, exists. That our attempt at counteracting.
foreign restrictions have tended, and must always
tend, to increase, rather than diminish the evils
Of the system, is sufficiently proved by the effects
produced by those attempts within the last few
years. Hence results the policy as well as the
Justice, of combining the duties upon impost and
tonnage strictly to the revenue principle; the
only object, it is repeated, that is sanctioned by
the Constitution, or by the practice of the govern
ment previously to 1924. Before that PERIOD
the distinction had always been clearly made
between the imposition Of duties for revenue
and for protection the first being the only
legitimate object Of the imposition the latter be-
ing an adventurous consequence thereto This TOO,
is The clearest line OF demarcation between the
proper and improper exercise Of this power, and
for the best reason in the world because the
one object il expressly granted in the Constitu-
ton, the other not only not granted but refused TO
the government.
From these remarks it. will be seen, that the
argument presented by the above quotation does
not relate to the subject of discussion at ALL and
that it is fallacious in relation to any other subject
Upon a review of Mr.. Ms seven propositions,
let the reader now determine how far they sus-
.ain the claim of the government to protect ma.
nufactures.
NOTE.
MoHopoLIEs-Buning Tobacco
The right Of the Government to control the pro-
ceeds of the whole labor of the country
cestors, in Grand Assembly met, passed an
act. appointing 1874 viewers and commissioners,
with salaries, paid out Of the Peoples money, for
viewing the whole OF every crop of tobacco made
in Virginia, and to burn all they thought not
good, and one-half of all that they thought was
good-imposing high penalties for the rigid en-.
iorcement of the Act. This Act is less foolish
and less immoral than the Tariff Acts. The des-
potic power is the same in both cases-to wit: 70
controul the whole proceeds of the labos of the
nnfi t,
every planter his tobacco, which was not made up
TO the capricous tastes of the viewer and COM
missioner. Tyranncal enough-it required the
burning Of half of the tobacco not suited 10 the
tastes Of the viewers. The expectation was to
enhance the price to more than double of what i,
would be, if the whole were brought to market
The Justice OF this measure, consisted in burning
the tobacco Of all in equal proportion. The Dutch
burn their spices for the like purpose, upon the
same principle Of equal justice.-The Tariff Acts
grounded upon the Same despotic power-the
control over all the proceeds Of the labor of the
COMMUNICATIVE incomparably more extensive in
their mischievous effects upon all occupations
except the wealthy holders Of manufacturing
script-and totally destitute Of morals, of JUS
tice, and of equality So far from dealing out the
same rule Of sppo tionment to ALL II takes from the
many and gives to the few. 1t destroys the right
OF private property, secured by the Constitution:
and caprciously dsposes of ii as governmental
occur. 1t corrupts the morals Of the favored by
giving MIN VICIOUS dppeute Ior the property oil
others. 1t lessons the incentive 10 labor, by an
invitation all TO better their conditions by their
wits, instead Of their labor II lessons the stimu.
fus to labor Of the oppressed, by forcibly taking
from him portion OF the proceeds of his labor
and giving it to another. What moral! What an
enlightened age!! Is possible to believe that the
American People have hitherto viewed this sub.
ect in its true lights and yet tolerated it or its
projectors till this time.!!
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
The form Of government, under which we live
is STYLED " Representative Denocraey" II
il be such, IN FACT, then the people possess the
sovereign p0Der, and exercise il tn ough their
representatives. take ii for granted, that in a
government Of this kind, the varions officers, er.
eeutiue, legislative and judicial, are the agents
and servants of the people. IL so, the people
have right to be heard in their selection. How
stands the fact. under our existing Constitution:
Tho magistrates Of this Commonwealth are an.
poin!ed-how? BY the people! No. By the repre-.
sentatives Of the people! No. BY themselves! Cal
you this Republican,? Call you this Denocratic?-
Our magistrates, then, are self-created What !.
the tenure of their Officer For years? No. Fo,
life, Here, then, is an almost perfect oristocracy
within the body of every county in the Com
monweath. What are their powers! They hold
the purses Of the people. They have Common
Law and Chancery Jurisdiction. appoin
ConstdbIcs, COyoneTs, and MILITIA OFFICERS
and to cap the climax, they take the shrevalty bl
turns! Here, then, is a set Of men, who perpetu.
ate their otDn body, and who hold both the purse
aud the s,DoTd!--a combination of powers neve,
TO be tolerated by freemen Upon what principle
can this system be justified! Insult not the gcniu:
Of Republicanism by calling il her offspring! Is i
justified upon grounds of policy! The same prn
cple would justify the legislature, or the execu-
tive Council, in perpetuating their respective
bodies. No: 1t is the legitimate offspring Of arts