Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-02-09
D0NI12TIH>
(Erom As NJ y. Erening Post. /

We learn that evidence of the existence OF snug
gny 10 this country, on large scale, and 10 great
tent along our inland frontiers and part Of
coast has been collected at Washington. This effect
we predicted at the time Of passing the last tariff
sohing on the acknowledged principles Of human nature
Cetian Journalists, recoect, treated the idea as
ridiculous and most compacenty assured US that there
was no danger that the temptation of interest," backed
asst was by the opportunity OF ex ended frontier,
would prove too strong for the virtue Of any portion Of
our citizens. Ii is indeed extraordinary how little at
ienon was paid by the friends Of the tariff in Congress
10 me argument drawn from the encouragement IL al
iorded 10 smuggling earnestly and perseverngly as IL
was urged upon their notice, and strengthened as il
was bv Instances in the history OF foreign nations They
would not listen to tive 10 not recollect that they
even deignsdt TO snswer il. The result shows their
error. lie Preparations 10 introduce goods without
payment OF duties followed close the heels o. that
law There are numbers in the country, who would
not cut Threats or pick pockets yet would feel
pie in undertaking smuggling enterprise. They are
acute In distinguishing between actions which are
crimes I'm themselves and by their nature actions
which are crimes only because the law makes them
These ingenions reasoners have established,
Informed by intelligent persons residing in that quar-
ter smuggling stations the northern frontier which
carry on their bushes. with great activity and preht
We have heard Of bales of English wooen., brought
down the western canal in the form OF barrels OF -four
with the farinaceous particles sitting out through the
ntersces at the ends The truth il, that the restric
tive system cannot be enforced in any country, with
ont most expensive establishment OF officers,
ton Among people like ours, generally active,
enierrrisng, shrewd, and inventive the difficulty is
even greater than elsewhere.
We have before us letter from authentic source
at Washington, in which the late disclosures this
ubject are mentioned. " understand says the wri-
ter, that the examinations before of the Com.
ml,tees Of Congress in reference the revenue, sc
have shown the existence OF snug Cling in violation Of
our present tariff 10 an unexpected extent do not
mean by this the alleged or real (as il may bel
sions cf the law for The purpose OF eIing goods at
lover rates Bnt both on northern frontier and
southern coast, there il evidence of direct and
ell expenditure in the Quarter Masters department for
transportation during the last year is ascrbed by the
department in a considerable degree the movement
OF the stations OF the army, with reference the pre-
venon Of smuggling yon will see that the necessary
results OF the present tariff system, predicted. have
begun TO devrope themselves with unexpected rapid
ty Ii il TO he wished, though he expected that
the Committee Manufactures would present to the
public some Of the evidence of this subject which is in
their possession"
We cannot help joining in the wish expressed in the
leve there would he no longer any occasion To say
that the tariff had rot yet produced its proper effect,
and that the experiment had not been fairly tried. IL
would be seen, believe, that il has given birth 10
proiigious system OF smuggling not TO he
hut at cost which the nation is not prepared TO incur
by severity Of inquiston uncong NAL with our 10
situations, ami that the time IL remove the evil
by removing the cause