Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1832-12-13

oso Until toe nnt OF January, 1884, and -,
49, not until the second Of Janusry
1885. The commissioners Of tho xink,n
fund, however, being invested with fun au
thcrity to purchase the debt ut the marke
PRICE, and the means Of the Treasury bcin,
ample, it may DO hoped that the whole vii
DC eHtinsuisbed within the year 1893.
cannot too cordially congratulate Con
gress and my fellow-citizens on tho near an
Proach Of that memorable and happy event
the extinction Of the public debt Of this grea
and free nation. Faithful to the W isc AM
patriotic policy marked out by tho lcsisIa
ton Of the country for this object, the presen
administration has devoted to Il all the mean,
winch hourishiny commerce has supplied
ana prudent economy preserved, for the
pubic Treasury. Within the four wears fo,
which tie people have coufided the executive
power To my charge, ffty-eight millions OF
dollars will have boen applied To IN. navn,.n,
Of the public debt. That hi. IA, becn ar.
complished without stinting the expenditure,
LOT all other proper objects, will be seen b,
referring to the liberal prov ision made durins
the same period for the support and increase
Oh our means OF maritime and military de.
renee, Tor Internal improvements Of n national
character, for the removal and prc.ervatior
OF the Indians, and, lastly, for the gallant We
terans Of the ret olution
The hnsl removal OF this great burthen
from our resources, affords the means of fur.
'her provision for all the objects Of general
welfare and public defence which the consti-
luton euthorizes, and presents the occasion
TOT such further reduction la the revenue a
may not be required Ter them. From the rs-
Por' oil the Secretary Of the Treasury, il will
DC sccn that, alter the present year. such .
reoucuon may be made 20 n consitie able cx
tent, and the sub cct is earnestly recommend.
ed 10 the consideration Of Congress, i'm IN.
hope that the combined wisdom OF the rcpre.
sentatives Of the people will devise such
means OF etecting that salutary object, as
may remove those burthens which shall be
found to fall unequally upon any, and as ma,
promotc all the great interests Of the com.
munity.
Long and patient reflection has strengthen.
cd The opinions have heretofore expressed
TO Congress on this subject; and I deem /,
my duty, on the present occasion, again "a
urge them upon the attention of the LegisIa.
ture. The soundest maxims Of public policy.
aud the principles upon which our republican
institutions are founded, recommend a proper
adaptation OF the revenue to the expenditure
and they also require that the expenditure
shall be limited 70 what, BY an economic al
administration, shall be consistent with the
simplicity OF the Government, and necessary
TO an Efficient public service. In effectiny
this adJustment, II Is due, in justice, to the
interest oil The different States, and even 10
the preservation Of the Union itself. that the
protection afforded by existing laws 20 anv
branches Of the national industry, should moi
exceed what may be necessary to counteraci
the regulations Of foreign nations, and 10 Sc
cure supply OF those articles of manufac-
lure essential To the national independene,
and safety in time Of war nc. upon inyesti-
CATION, u shalt be found, rs il is believed 4,
VIII DC, that the legislative protection grant.
cd to any particular interest is greater thai,
Is indisPensabiy requisite for these objects. I
recommend that II be gradually diminished,
and That, rs far as may be consistent with
these objects, the whole scheme of duties be
reduced 10 the revenue standard as soon "a
just regard TO the faith of the Government
and 10 the preservation of the large capital
invested in establishments of domestic indos-
try, will permit.
That manufactures adequate to the supply
oil our domestic consumption would. in the
abstract, DO beneficial To our country. there
Is no reason tn doubt and 10 effect the r eS
adjustment, there Is, perhaps, no American
ciuEen who would not, for awhile, be WILLING
10 pay higher price for them. But for this
purpose, II Is presumed that n tariff 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 pro-
eetioil, which they maintain has the effect 10
reduce the price, by domestic competition
below that of the foreign article. Exueri-
ence, however, our best guide on this as ON
othcr subjects, makes IL doubtful whether the
advantages OF this system are not counterba-
lanced by many evils, aud whether il docs
not tend TO beget, IN tie minds Of a large por-
lion oil our countrymen, a spirit OF discomfort
and jealousy dangerous to the stability of the
Union.
What then shall be done' Large interests
have grown up under the Implied pledge of
our national legislation, which Il would seem
a violation Of pu'iic faith suddenly 20 aban.
aon. Nothing could justify Il but the public
safety which Is the supreme Law. But those
WHO nave vested their capital ~ manufactur-
ing establishments, cannot expect tl,at an.
people will continue, permanently. 10 pay
high taxes FOR their benefit, when the money
= not required for any legitimate purpose IN
me standardization Of the Government T. III
not enough that the high duties have been
pad a. long as the money arising from then,
could be applied 10 the common benefit In 1be
cNtnglishncnt Of the public debtl
Those who take an enlarged view Of The
condition. OF our country, n.ast be Satisfied,
wat He policy OF protection must he ult-
mately limited TO those articles of domestic
manufacture which are Indispensable "a cur
safety IN time Of war. Nithin this scope. on
reasonable scale, u - recommended by I'VE
consideration % patriotism and daty, which
viii doubtless ai%ays seeuEe Co Il = liberal
and sasiioient support. But, beyond This oh
jeet' Ne have already ssen The operattoo o.
ne system productive Of diseootsns. On some
sectiOiis Of tho republic, its influence a A..
pTeeated a. tending % concentrate ve,I,l, hi.
TO = lev hands, aud a. creating those germ.
OF dependence and wee which, IN Other 9oor.
H'es, have characterized the existeuee al
m"noPoiies, and proved - destructlye az n.
Oerty and tho general good. a large poTt,oo
oi NE people, 10 ore section of the FspubI,e
uee'a'ss y NOS only incEpedient on these
grounds, bat as disturbing The eaosl rsl.t,o-.
~ property ~ legislation, ssd therefore ,,,-
constitatioBai and unjust
Douosisss thtse etsrts srp. IN a ereat De.