Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-12-10

owing TO an increase of operatives and
improvements IN machinery. But, on
the whole, II is questionable whether
the reduction in the price oflands, pro-
duce, and manufactures, has been
greater than the appreciation of the
standard of value.
While the chief object of duties
should be revenue, they may be so
adjusted as 10 encourage manufactures.
In this adjustment, however, il is the
duty OF the Government to he guarded
10y the gcaeral good. Objects Of ma
tional Importance alone ought To be
protected; of these the productions of
our SOIL, our mines, and our workshops.
essential to national defence, occupy
the hrstirank. Whatever other species
OF domestic industry, having tie i'm
portance 90 Witch | have referred. may
be expected, after temporary protec-
ton, I o compete with foreign labor on
equal terms, merit the same attention
IN a subordinate degree. ~.
The present tariff taxes some of the
comforts of life unnecessarily nigh. it
undertakes TO protect interests too local
and minute to Justify a general a
ION; and it also attempts TO force some
Kinds OF manufactures for which the
country is not ripe. Much relief will
be derived, III some of these respects,
from the measures of your last session.
The best, as well as the fairest mode
oil determining whether, from any lust
considerations, Il particular interest
ought to receive protection, would be
to submit the questions singly for de-
Liberation. If, after due examination
ut ITS merits, unconnected with extra
o considerations-such as a desire
to sustain a general system, or to pur-
chase support Tor a different interest,"
1t should enlist in its favor a majority
oil the Representatives of the people.
there can he little danger of wrong or
InJury IN adjusting the tariff with refer.
enccto It's protective effect. Ifthis obvi-
ousiy just principle were honestly adj
heredto, the branches of industry de-
serving protection would he saved from
the prejudice excited against them.
when that protection firms part of a
system by which portions of the coun-
try feel. or conceive themselves to be.
oppressed. What is intellectually o
important, the vital princip!eof our sys-
tem-that principle which requires ac-
q~uiesceuce in the will of the majority
would be secure from the discredi,
and danger to which it is exposed by
the acts OF majorities, founded, not on
identity ofconviction, but on combiua-
lions of small minorities, entered into
Tor the purpose Of mutual assistance i'm
measures which, resting solely on their
own merits. could never be carried.
am well aware that this is a subject
o! so much ~dclIcacy, on ccoun of the
extended Interests ii involves, as TO re-
qulre that it should be touched with
the utmost caution and that, while
an Abandonment of the policy in which
II orIglnated-a policy coeval with our
Government pursued through success
sI'e administrations, is neither to be
expected or desired, the people have a
right to demand, and have demanded,
that 1t be modified 80 as to correct abu.
SEES AID obviate injustice.
That our deliberations on this inter
esting subject should be uninnuencedby
those partisan conflicts that are Incl
dent to free institutions, is the fervent
wish of my heart. To make this great,
question, which unhapily so mich di-
vides &excites the public mind, subser-
Went to the short-sighted views of fac
ton, mus destroy all hope of settling it
satisfactorily tn the great body of the
people. and for the general interest.
l cannot, therefore, on taking leave of
the subject, too earnestly for my own
feelings or the common good. warn Won
against the blightIng consequences of
such a course.
Here the President adverts to the reports made by
the respective Departments, which shows them to he
highly prosperous aud rencws his recommendation
in regard to an increase of salary, sc of the At,or.
ney General, which we shall give next week.
Your attention is respectfully invited TO
the situation of the District of Columbia
Placed, by the Constitution, under the cxclu-
sive jurisdiction and control of Congress, this
District is certainly entitled to a much prea.
ter share OF its consideration than it has vet
received. ThOre list want Of uniformity i'm
It's laws, particularly in those ola penal cIar.
actcr, which increases the expense of their
administration, and subjects the people 10 all
the inconvenience which result from the
operation ofoifFerent codes in so small a ter
rltory. On different $ ides of the Potomac,
the same offence is punishable in UNEQUAL
degrees and the pcculiaiities of many of the
early laws of Maryland and Virginia remain
in force, Notwithstanding their repugnaucc,
IN some cases, TO the improvements which
have superseded them in those States.
Besides a remedy for these evils. which is
loudly called for, it is respectfully submitted
whether a provision authorizing the election
OF a Delegate to- represent the wants of the
citizens of this District on the floor of Con.
gress, is not due to them. and to the cbarac.
ter of Government. No portion of our citi.
zens should be with out a practical enjoyment
OF Tie principles of freedom ard there is
none more important than that which cult
Yates a proper relation between the cover
nore and the governed. Imperfect as This