Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-12-16

so'JS tN
by authorizing both the expenditure and the
means Of defray,ng it.
1t will be difficult precisely to graduate the re-
venue to the expenditure. The necessity OF aVo'o-
ing the possibility Of deficiency in the revenue,
and the perpetual fluctuation in the demand and
supply. render such a task almost imprac'Icao'e.
An excess of revenue therefore, under any Pru-
dent system Of duties may be for a time unaVoid-
able. But this can be better ascertained Oy. ex-
perience, and the evil obviated either by enlars'
ing the expenditure for public purposes, or by re-
ducing the duties on such articles as the condition
of the country would best admit.
In providing a revenue upon this principle ana
for these purposes, the attention oil Congress VIII
be necessarily directed to the articles OF imports
from which the duties should be collected; and
this is a question of expedlencv merely, to be de.
cided " 18th a Just regard to all the great interests
involved in the subject.
To distribute the duties in such a manner, as
FAR as that may be practicable, as to encourage
and protec. the labor of the people of the United
States from the advantages of superior skill and
capital, and the rival preferences OF foreIgn cuun-
tries: to cherish and preserve those manufactures
which have grown up under our own legisla-
ton; which contribute to the national wealth, and
are essential to our independence and safety, to
the defence of the country, the supply OF Its ne
cessarv wants, and to the general prosperity, IS
considered TO be an Indispensable duty. The
vast amount of property employed IN the north
ern, western aud middle portion OF the Union,up-
ON the faith IF our own system OF laws, and on
which the interests of every branch of our indus
try are involved, could not be immediately aban-
doned without the most %ruInous Consequences.
The various opinions by which the people OF
the United States arc divided upon this subject,
concern the peace and harmony Of the country,
and recommend al adjustment on practical prin-
ciples, rather than with the reference to any alb
stract doctrines of political economy.
The proposed action OF Congress will not be d.
rected to introduce or countenance for the hrst
time the adoption Of duties for revenue to the pro-
lection of American labor and capital. The orr
Gin of that lies at the foundation OF the Govern
ment; and, taking root 10 the act OF July, l789,t
has siure increased and spread over our whole le-
s~islation, has quickened each branch OF industry,
aud affected most Of the important relations OF
the community. That it may have gone beyond
the proper standard. and that the present crisis
requires that it should be confined within reason
able limits, will not be denied. Ii ought TO be
remarked, however, that the am unit OF the reve-
nue. has not at anv time exceeded the authorized
objects of expenditure; and that, in preserving
such an equality in future, justice to every por-
ton of the community requires that it should be
accomplished without uprooting those great inte-
rests which have been pro,idently planted and
carefully nourished.
If the amount of expenditure be regulated by
an enlightened economy, and the aggregate OF du-
ties levied on imports be neither extrayagant nor
oppressive to the consumer, it is deemed to be
comparatively unimportant whether it be collect
ed from many or few articles Of importation. 1t
could not only become material by causing the
duties to bear unequally upon particular classes.
1t might not be practicable. however, IN such a
community as ours, and in distributing the du-
ties with any reference whatever to the protec-
ton of labor. altogether to avoid that lnconveni-
ence. So much of the inconvenience as may be
unavoidable might be temporarily submitted to-,
for thu sake of the natl nal advantages it would
ultimately confer. 1t NAV be expected also. that
the pourer classes. so far as any such inequality
would affect them, will be generally unidentified
BY the increased activity given to profitable modes
Of employment
Happily for the United States, the sum to which
it is now PROPOSED to limit the revenue, is not like
ly to be oppressive on any class, even according
to the present numbers OF the American popula-
ton. 1t is also to be observed, that, relatively
both to population and the means Of consumption,
it would annually diminish: while the cheapening
of transportation by the means of the rapidly in
creasing facilities ofintcrcourse would constantly
tend ia e~qua,ize prices and diffuse the profits of
labor.
The objects more particularly requiring the
and of the existing duties upon the principles of
this report, are believed to be wool. woilens, cot
ton, iron. hemp and sugar, as compromising those
articles in which the agricultural and manufac-
turing industry are more particularly interest
ed.
Upon these articles, the average duty collect
ed in the years 1929 and 1880. amounted to SO.
$40. sos. as is shown by the annexed statement
These duties could not be materially changed
at present, without the effect already deprecated.
No objection is perceived. however, TO such gra'
dual reduction of them in future as may withdraw
the aid thus afforded, as the growth and stability
of our manufacturers will enable them to dispense
with ito such a degree at least as will, with
the aid of an increase in population and the means
of consumption, still leave ii revenue adequate TO
the expenditures; Or until what may be Withdrawn
from them NAV be levied on other articles which
nav be found to admit of It.
Tho .dditional sum. which. together with the