Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-11-07
The Richmond WhIg.
POLITICAL.
From the National Inteiligencsr.
No. 2.


ouod by them 10 the support of northern interest;
or, IN their own language 1t is tax for tho bsn-
eft of the few.
This impression has been strongly made upon
their minds. 1t is surprising that it drives them
TO madness and to robesn. But let us reason
tho case together.
Whatever dutio, paid upon imported articles
are contributed equally by all parts OF tho United
States to the public treasury for tho common pur-
poses of government.
Nothing has been paid to the rovenue that wan
discharge tho engagements Of tho country,
manufactures derive protection from the impo.
:'ton Of duties. II is tho necessary incident of the
inpost system.
We came out of the with heavy debt. which
imposed q burden Of Ave million q year of inter
est.
For the payment Of which, and sink the debt
they appropriated ten millions year.
20 the ordinary expenses of government was add
cd tension system, to which object which was
necessary consequence of the war, twsnty millions
have boon appropriated.
A system of Fortifica tlons has required thirteen
millions, besides what has been given for arms,
ntanrcns, and arsenas, 10 tho Increase of the navy
the purchase of Indian lands, lighthouses, docks,
roads, canals, piers, and various objects of i'm
provoment.
1t was the policy OF the government to defroy
fhe ordinary expenses to defray tho public debt
and interest, and provide for tho other objects.
These required a revenue oftwenty-five millions
10 wit; For the expenses of government 20 millions
tho public debt 10 millions Notifications, pensions
and other objects, say 5 Millions
1t was decided, upon full consideration, to draw
this amount from the people, and to levy it by du-
tics. Whether these measures were wise is not
now the question 1t is believed that South Car
DINA was notopposed to either, hut took leading
and distinguished part in the adoption2 of them.
HE Tariff of 1916 was imposed witk that view
ne double war dutos wore reduced, but enough
was htended to remain TO provide for the c1ipences
OF the country, and it was known that their effect
would BE- what 1t woE designed to be, support to
those manufactures that had risen up during the
war, that it would necessarily encourage new es-
tablishments and advance the general interest of
She country But, after the second or third year
the revenue under this Tariff found inadequate
TO the object. 1t was barely sufficient to paw the
expenses OF government and provide for the inter
sSt OF the public debt; and under that rate of du
ties, the public debt would have lemained unpaid
with an lncumbTance of Interest of five millions.
The Tariff of 1924 was necessary to provide 4
revenue for all the objects comten p ated: previous
TO that the Secretary of the Treasury, Mr.. Craw-
lord, had recommended a revision of the Tariff
with u view to provide additional revenue and mar
ticularly recommended increased duty on w col
lens The Tariff of 1924 was advocated chiefly on
The ground that it would protect domestic industry
while 1t relieved the country of an ouerers dam
and provided for hor future security
A bill to increase the duty on wooilen. in 1927
which was mere protective measure, was lost
Tho Tariff oflS26 cannot with Justice be ckaro
ed to the friends of American Industry Tha
South may take upon itselfa full share ofthe odium
as we'll as the evil of the MEASURE. The whole of
TO
explain. The South voted against striking out all
the items, and to add other Objectionable ones to
the DILL 1t Is now denounced by them as 4 bill of
nominations! 1t was cotton up in a spirit of hos
unity TO tho North They asked only an increased
duty on woollens in consequence of certain eva
SIons and frauds on the revenue. The South uni
ted with other political interests to make the Tar
III onerous and oppressive upon the navigation and
manufacturers of the North 1t was undou btedly
an ll-dgested, imperfect, and partial system. But.
who made it sol
1t is manifest, therefore, that whatever has been
done by Congress has grown out of the peculiar
circumstances OF the country, the war, the debt of
the government, tho necessity of revenue. They
who made the war the obligation it imposed of
providing for it's speedy extinguishment. 1t was
m after OF public duty, as we'll public interest.
The system devised has happily accomplished the
object, and realized the wishes and homes of the
country. The public debt is nearly extingushed:
The system of Notifications almost completed;
The pensions are gradually diminishing: The navy
has been regularly increased: The docks are in
state oil considerable advancement: A vast terrific
~ has been acquired by the purchase Of Indian
lands: And various important public improvements
have been made. What prospect does this pre-
ecntf a happy government, without n debt ad.
InlniHtcred upon plain economical PRINCIPLES:
rich, Furnishing country. With what pride and
pleasure the statesman and patriot should look
upon this condition of orr public affairs This il
the time for Southern Statesmen TO claim the
merit of their enlightened views of public poIicv
and to congratulate themselves and the country
upon tho successful accomplishment OF their plans
The people of the South ought not to suppose
that the raising of 25 millions year from the
county for the purpose of paying the debts and
expenses of the government, is in any way uncoD-
stitntiCnai, or unjust, or unequal, oppressive.
AS far revenue of 25 millions is concerned
it perfectly proper, and operates equally as any
system of imPosts can operate. IF the action Of
70 largo sum affects nuriously portion of the
people, so to be oppressive it must be assrbod to
tho policy Of establishing the sinking fund, and
not to the protective system.
The people Of tho South must therefore discriu1i.
nato between what they contribute in equal and
just proportions with the North ts this revenue and
a merely protective system.
In fine, whatever oppression may be felt from
the operation of the Tariff must DO ascrlbed to
policy Of forcing tho payment Of the public debt
1t was impossible 10 effect that object within the
time without drawing 25 millions of dollars annu.
ally from the people. That could not be done
without high duties, because the amount Of our i'm
ports il small high duties necessarily advanced
extent of the duties, and became thereby TO a GER
tain extent, protection of our own This is tine
unavoidable consequence Of the impost system.
We had TO contribute to the government, in some
way, 25 millions. That could not be done with.
out being severely felt. II very large amount
TO &c drawn from 10 OF ls millions Of people; and,
whether paid directly or indirectly, must have a
seDsible effect upon the country. II raised by i'm
posts, it is a tax upoH consumption; IF BY direct
taxes, it is tax upon property, and much alb
siraeted from labor; they arc only different modes
Of obtaining the same end. The former is prefer
red because it has greater facility, and is collected
with little trouble and expense. The latter is ts-
ious, expensive, vexatious, and odious to the Peo