The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1831-10-11
evils and inequalities ofthe existing tariff,

and recommending such modification
of it as may conform to the purposes of
revenue, and be impartial in its opera
tions on all tho states, be drafted by a
committee appointed for the purpose by
this Convention.
Resolved, That an address to the Con-
gress of the u. S. soliciting from that
body modification Of the present tariff,
so as to render it adequate TO the expen-
ses of government, and equal upon oil
portions ofthe country, he also prepared.
Mr.. St. John, of Georgia, then offered
resolution, declaring that the present
tariff laws of Congress, so far MS they go
to protect manufactures, and exceed the
purposes of revenue, are iniquitous and
unjust-burthensome and oppressive up
on certain portions of the people, gross
violations of the Constilution--and the
committee are requested to insist on, or
consider this view of them, when making
up their report.
Mr.. St. John enforced the propriety Of
this resolution in few remarks. He
said that the present tariff system is un-
just, as it is unequal in its operations
impolitic, as subversive ofthe union, and
unbecoming free people in being de-
parture from the spirit ofthe constitution,
and the meaning of those who framed
that instrument. We shall have come
here for little purpose indeed, if we lose
sight of the constitutonality, or other
wise, of the tariff. The friends of that
system will exult, that body so formida-
BILE, at least in point ofnumbers, and the
number of states represented, should, af-
ter all their preparations, leave untouch
ed one prominent feature of objection to
the tarlfi-its unconstitutionality. He
was empowered by Georgia, as one of the
delegation of that state, to invite the in
vestiga.ion of this body to that feature,
and to ascertain its opinion upon the sub
ject. 1t was in pursuance of his letter of
instructions, that Mr.. St. John had offer
ed the resolution, and he trusted it would
be referred to the committee.
Mr.. ST. John was supported in his view
by a gentleman from South Cal olina,
whose name we could not ascertain. He
believed the tariff to be unconstitutional,
and would not go home to his constitu-
ents without touching upon that question.
To return without having referred to it,
would be to return and meet the burning
Indignation offreemen, who feel the con-
stitutiOn of their country violated, and
who desire TO tell their countrymen in
strong language of such violation.
After some further desultory discussion,
i'm which Mr.. Cheves, Gov. Miller, and
other gentlemen took part, the resolution
was ordered to lie upon the table.
Mr.. Poindexter, of Mississippi, and a
gon,lomen frou Maiuc, also offerc d reso-
lutions in a similar spirit with that of Mr..
St. John. Those of Mr.. Poindexter in
volved pledge on the part of the Com
vention, in which their lives, fortunes and
sacred honor were thrown into the scale
III al effort TO preserve and perpetuate
the union also, that all laws regulating
labor by penal enactments or by bounties,
are Inconsistent with the principles of a
free government, and a paIpabIe violation
of the rights of the people Of the United
States. Also, that the object ofthe Con
stitution is TO define tho powers of the
government, to limit the acts of the ma
jority, and to protect the rights of the
minority. Also, that the law ofCongress,
passed 10Th May, 1898, for the protec-
tion Of American manufactures, &c. is
unequal in its operation on the great in
terests of the nation-is opposed to agri.
culture, commerce and navigation, re-
cognizes and imposes system of unjust
taxation, which cannot and ought not to be
submittedto when all hope Of redress is a.
bandOned.
The resolutions, of which the above is
the substance, it was proposed to refer to
the General Committee. Governor Mil
Ter, Mr.. ST. John, and other gentlemen
spoke in favor of the reference, which
was opposed, on the ground that the reso-
lutions so referred might be considered
as instructions to the Committee. Mr..
Cheves said, that the question as to the
constitutionality of the Tariff must come
up, and if TO one else would bring it be-
fore the Convention, he would perform
that duty. He believed the resolutions
of the gentleman from Mississippi to be
too difl'use,as involving whole code of
law, but, with regard to the legality of
the Tariff, as construed, according to the
constitution, it was question that must
be discussed, and he was sure there was
no necessity of avoiding its discussion.
Mr.. Berrien said, that in order to know
how far the resolutions under considera-
tion might be considered as instructing
the Committee, he called for their read
ing.-They were accordingly read, and
the opinion ofthe Chair being asked for,
il was given in favor ofthe reference, and
they were accordingly referred.