Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-08-03
COMMUNICATED.
THE ANTI-TARIFF CONVENTION.

NOutculsOl, dIu Il HS0ihhy "pP'V'>
,iments. The present is an suspicious period for
a combined and systematic movement to be made
BY the advocates OF free trade, and the friends
cr union. Such a movement, conducted with
moderation, the circumstances OF the times IN
p~eriously demand. and its effect vii! be most
powerful in producing a change in the public
mind. f-t a fair representation be made of the
actual evils resulting from the operation of our
Tariff system, and an urgent appeal be made to
the good sense and patriotic feelings of the Peo-
pie, and the opposition which now exists, even
against a modification Of the provisions OF the
Tariff. will be at once removed.
But the proposed Convention has met with OPP
position on grounds connected with the eSpedi-
ency of the Tariff, and, from an impression that
il would be highly improper to regard an cutlery
AGAINST the laws of the Union, made in pnrsu-
aucc Of the Constitution, raised by the discon-
tented and ~fac,ious. - | regret Mat such views
should be entertained and spread before the peo-
ple, because their natural effect will evidently be
10 DESTROY that spirit Of mutual forbearance and
compromise, between various parts of the coun-
try. which built, and must now sustain, our po-
litical fabric. The expediency of the Tariff is
fairly 4 debateable question; but its advocates
shon!d not fergeS that, even under the most IA
borable aspect in which its expediency can be pre-
sented, it is a matter of serious doubt how tar Its
operation is productive of good or evil. There
is no truth, in political economy, more clearly
demonstrable, than that trade OF ali kinds should
he permitted to take care of itself. Care, in
stead of nurfuring aud increasing its growth, is
satally destructive. This wisest statesmen in
ENGLAND and America have conceded on this
point. and have considered the maxim 'Laisses
Moi to hold good as a general rule, and can on
~ when special circumstances interposc, be pro-
perly disregarded. Such is the eagerness OF men
in the pursuit Of wealth-such the promPtness
and energy Of individual enterprise, and such the
rapidlty with which knowledge OF all kinds Is
disseminated, that it cannot be doubted but that
individual interest will discover the most profita-
BILE channels for the employment of capital and
industry. With regard to our own Tariff, the
effect certainly has been to cripple many branch.
es of our trade; to divert industry from its natu-
ra, course, and materially to Cypress our South
ern AGRICULTURAL interests. Whether its bene6-
sial results will fairly compensate for its injuri-
Gus effects, or greatly exceed these effects, will
not pretend to determine. This is a question
with regard to which men may honestly differ
It is enough to convince my mind OF the propriety
Of repeating the most obnoxious parts of our Ia
riff laws, that their existence is a matter OF doubt
full expediency-that the Southern people declare
themselves oppressed-and that the continuance
Of the most odious features of the system threat
ems to SOW the seeds of discord between the Sc
verai States.
1t was forseen by the trainers OF the c~Onstitu-
ton, that adverse interests would spring up, dan
serous to the harmony which should exist be-
tween the different members of the Union, but
their reliance was placed upon the friendly feel
ing Of attachment which would grow up and knit
together the States. Do I err in saying that a
.pirit OF IN, d. anu aGs$c.ion hes not been
manifested with regard to the Tariff Laws? The
representations and entreaties OF the South, have
not met with a kindly reception throughout the
country-its urgent appeals to the justice and
S
patriotism of the majority who have Inflicted the
evil, have met with no sympathy, and Its con-
s,itutional scruples have been treated with open
ridicule. This is not all.-The people OF one
part Of our country unite with one voice in de-
claring that suiferings do exist, and that they are
to be ascribed solely to the Tariff policy. We
have seen that these statements are not believed.
Have the majority right to hold such a belief
and to act upon it. 1t is insulting to the under
standings of the people who urge such COM
plain.s We mast believe that the evil does ex-
ist, and entertaining such a belief it is a viola
ton Of the spirit of our free institutions, not to
apply the remedy which the e1igency Of the case
demands. Is it at all wonderful that the warm
feelings of the South have become exasperated
under such treatment so different from that to