The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-12-11
VOL a3.

u'sPehsaoIy requisite Tor those objects.
recommend that II be gradually dimin.
'shed. and that as far us may be consist.
ent with these objects, the " hole scheme
oi duties be reduced 10 the revenue
standard rs soon as just regard 10 the
faith OF the Government and 10 tho ors.
serval'on OF the large capital invested in
establishments OF domestic industry will
permit.
hat manuinctures adequate to the
supply OF our domestic consumpt,on
would, IN the abstract, be beneficial
to our country there is no reason IN
doubt and 10 effect their establishment.
there Is, perhaps, no American citizen
who would not for while, be willing to
pay higher price for them. But for
thus purpose, It is presumed that Ia
riff OF high duties designed for perpetual
protection, has entered into The minds
OF but few OF our statesmen. The most
they have anticipated is temporary and
generally incidental protection. which
they maintain has the effect 10 reduc,
the price by domestic competition below
that OF the foreign article. Experience
however, our best guide on lhs, ms on
other subjects. makes il toubtful wheth,
er the advantages ofthis system are not
counterbalanced by many evils, ard
whether it does not tend TO beset in the
minds OF large portion Of our country
men spirit ofdiscontent and jealousy
dangerous TO the stability of the Union.
What then shall be done Large in-
teresls have grown up under the implied
pledge OF our national legislation, which
It would seem "a violation OF public faith
suddenly to abandon. Nothing could
justify 1t hut the public safety, which is
the supreme law. But those who have
vested their capital la manufacturing es.
tnblishments cannot expect that the peo-
pie will continue permanently to pay high
taxes for their benefit when the money
IS not required for any legitimate purpose
in tho administration of the Government
Is 1t not enough that the high duties have
been paid as long as the money arising
from them could be applied to The com.
mon benefit in tho extinguishing ofiha
public debit
Those who take an enlarged view Of
the condition of our country must be snt-
isiied that the policy of protection mus.
be ultimately limited to those articles Of
domestic manufacture which are indis-
pensnble to our safety in time of war.
WITHIN this scope, on n re asonable scale,
ii is recommended by every consideration
of patriotism and duty, which will doubt
less always secure to it liberal and Of
fcient support. But beyond this object,
we have already seen the operation OF
the sys.cm productive Of discomfort. In
some sections of the republic its influence
is deprecated as tending TO concentrate
wealth into few hands, and as creating
those germs of dependence and vice
which in other co Intr:es have character
ised the existence Of monopoIies, and
proved 80 destructive Of liberty and tho
general good. A large portion of tho
people IN one section of the republic de.
clares 1t not only inexpedien, Oh these
grounds, but us disturbing the equal re-
la'i"ns of property by legislation, aud
therefore unconstitutional and unjust.
Doubtless these effects are, in a great
degree, exaggerated, and may be ascribed
which led to The adoption of the Tariff
system but they are nevertheless impor-
tant in enabling us to review the subiec.
with more thorough knowledge of all
its bearings upon the great interests OF
the republic, and with determination
To dispose of II so that none can with
justice complain.
1t is my painful duty to state, that in
one quarter Of tho United Suites, oppo-
sition to the revenue laws has risen 10 Il
height which threatens to thwart their
execution, IT not to endanger the integri-
ty Of the Union. Whatever obstructionz
may be thrown in the way Of the Judicial
Authorities of the General Government,
il is hoped they will be able peaceably To
overcome them by the prudence of their
own officers and the patriotism of the
people. But should this reasonable re-
lance on the moderation aud good sense
Df all portions Of our fellsw-citizens be
1t is believed that the laws
themselves are fully adequate to the sup
preston of such attempts as may be I'M
nediately made. Should the exigency
rise, rendering the execution of the ex-
sting laws impfacticable from any causs
prompt notice Of il will b,
,iyen to Congress, with the suggestion 81
uch views und measures as may b..
leemed necessary to meet il.
In conformity with principles. hereto
ore explained, and with the hope Of re-
lucing the General Government to that
imple machine which the Constitution
.reated. and Of Withdrawing from the
States all other influence than that ofir.
bene 6cence in preserving peuc.