Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-01-27

II proper to quote language so clear and un
equivecal- lie says that "the power 10 i'm
pose duties on imports originally belonged to
the several States. The right to adjust
those duties with a view TO tie encourage
nent oil domestic branches Of Industry. is
50 completely incidental to that pswsr thati
IS ditflcuit to suppose the existence of one
without the other. The States have delegat-
ed their whole authority over imposts 10 the
0enersi Government, without limitation or.
restriction, saving the very inconsiderable
reservation relating to their inspection laws
This authority having thus passed from the
States, the right 10 exercise il fer the purpose
oil protection does not exist in them; and
consequently. if it be not possessed by the
General Government, it must be extinct
Our political system would thus present the
anomaly Of people stripped Of the right to
foster their own industry, and TO counteract
, the most selfish and destructive policy whish
might be adopted by foreign nations. This
surely cannot be the case: this Indispensable
power. thus surrendered by the States, must
be within the scope of the authority on the
subject expressly delegated to Congress -
The cofsmlttae would recommend this argu-
ment 10 thee candid consideration ofthe House.
Most especially would they Invite TO It's calm
consideration those of our fellow citizens who
honestly believe that protecting taria yio-
lates the Constitution. IL there are aby who
have become regardless. of the rights, inter
ests, and welfare Of the great majority Of tho
natisD; who are determined that all shall
yield to their opinions; who insist that they
arc ::.fallably right, and every one else is alb
solutely wrong; on such, reason and argu-
nacnt can have no influence. Still, the cause
which enables our Chief Magistrate to give
US such glowing view Of the prosperity of
our country as he has done, must and will
continue. The STATES, IN their sovereign ca
pacity, as expressed in the Message, and
cannot be denied, had The original power Of
imposing duties on imports 1t is cow trans
terfed to the Government of the Union, in
the most ample manner. Had the States
retained it they must have exercised it as
they pleased, to accomplish any object they
deemed proper. 1t might have been for reye-
rue alone. 1t might have been employed
solely TO counteract the selfish policy of other
states or nations. 1t could bave been exer-
cised for any purpose which suited the pleas
ure OF sovereign power. But the States have
delegated their whole power over imports 10
the United States. 1t would indeed be
strange anomaly if 1t could not now be exer-
cised by the Government TO which it has
been transferred as fully as il could have been
by the States from which it was derived.
The President has declared, that, "while
the chief object oil duties should be revenue,
they may be so adjusted as to encourage
manufactures" 1t seems to the committee
that this remark is in plain collision with the
sentiments which he has previously maintain
ed. He has observed that the authority 10
| impose duties on imports, having passed
from the States, ''the right 10 exercise ii for
the purpose Of protection does not exist in
them" fit is "net possessed by The Gene
raj Government, il must be extinct" "Our
political system would thus present the ano-
maly of people stripped Of a right to foster
their own industry, and to counterfeit the
| most selfish and destructive policy which
could be adopted by foreign nations" If
revenue alone is wanted, duties fer that OBJ
jject should be imposed. Ifprotection TO do
mestic industry is required, LET duties be i'm
posed TO "to fosterit" Why should the CHEF
object be revenne-wby protection secondary
when the Treasury may be fullp Many,
now, apprehend that our revenue is, and will
be, too abundant But protection s'against
the most selfish and destructive policy Of for
eign nations" can be secured by duties on ion
ports. BY them alone. Then they should
be adjusted 10 secure protection. This should
be the primary object The protecting pow
er having ence belonged to the States, and
now transferred to the General Government,
it may be used as the good of the nation de-
Inands Tor primary not secondary object.
II ought not TO be loosely attached to the
skuts OF revenue. Domestic industry is a.
single, great, even pre-eminent interest of
the nation 1t has been entrusted to the
guardian care of the Constitution. 1t now
demands the exercise Of that power which
the States have surrendered, for lis promo
ten and preservation.
The President, in his message, further OBJ
serves, that, in the adjustment of protecting
duties, the Government should abe guided by
the general good" As an abstract PROPOSE
ton, this may be admitted THE general
interest is the interest of each; and il is on
ly necessary that that interest should be I'M
oerstood TO ensure the cordial support of some
who think sit encourages abuses which ought
TO be corrected, and promotes injustice which
ought to be obviated" lie also advises Con.
gress that object Of national importance
ought alone to be protected. OF these, the
productions of our soil, our mines, aud our
workshops, Essential to national defence,
occupy the first rank. Whatever other spe-
cies of domestic industry, having the impor-
lance TO wlach have referred, may be ex-
pected, after temporary protection, to com
pete with foreign labor on equal terms, merit
the same attention in subordinate degree"
Suppose the opinion to be correct. s'that OBJ
jects Of national importance ought alone to