Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-01-26

troverted that, by augmenting consider
ably the duties on the protected class, SO
as to carry them to the point, or near to
the confines Of absolute prohibition, the
object in view, Of effecting the neces-
sary reduction of the public revenue may
be accomplished without touching the
duties on the unprotected class. The
consequence Of such an augmentation
would be great diminution in the impor-
tation of the foreign article, and of course
in the duties upon it. But against entire
prohibition, except perhaps in few in
stances, l have been always, and still am,
opposed. by leaving the door open to
the foreign rival article, the benefit is Sc
cured of a salutary competition. 1fit be
hermetically closed, the danger is incur
red Of monopoly,
The third mode is the most equitable and
reasonable, and it presents an undebate-
able ground, on which ! had hoped we
could all safely treated, without difficult
ty. 1t exacts no sacrifice of principle
from the opponent of the American Sys-
tenn; it comprehends none on the part Of
its friends. The measure before you en-
braces this mode. 1t is simple, and free
from all complexity. 1t dividesthe whole
subject ofimposts according to its nature.
1t settles at once what ought not to be
disputed, and leaves to be settled here
after, if necessary, what may be contro-
verted.
A certain part Of the South has hther-
to complained that it pays disproportion-
ate amount Of the imposts. If the COM
plant be well founded, by the adoption of
this measure it will be relieved at once,
as will be hereafter shewn, from at least
n fourth of its burthens. The measure is
in conformity with the uniform practice of
the Government, from its commencement,
and with the professions Of all the emf
nent politicians of the South, until of late.
l! assumes the right Of the Government,
in the assessment of duties, to discrimin-
ate between those articles which sound
policy requires it to foster ,and those which
it need not encourage.--This has beenthe
invariable principle, on which the Gov
ernment has proceeded, from the act of
Congress Of the 4th July, 1889, down to
the present time. And has it rot been
admitted by almoa every prominent South
ern politician?-Hasi it not been even ac-
knowledged by the fathers of the Free
Trade Church, in their late address, pro-
mulgated from Philadelphia, to the peo-
pie of the United States? If we never
had system of foreign imposts, and were
now called upon, for the first time, to or
iginatc one, should we not discriminate
between the objects Of our own industry,
and those produced by foreigners? And
is there any difference in its application,
between the modification Of an existing
system, and the origination Of new one? :?
1.-THE gentlemen of the South, opposed to
the Tariff, were to obtain complete pos
session of the powers of Government,
would they hazard their exercise upon
any other principle' If it be said that
some Of the articles which would, by this
be liberated from duties, are
luxuries, the remark is equally true Of
some of the articles remaining subject 70
duties. In the present advanced stage
of comfort and civilization, it is not easy
to draw the line between luxuries and ne
cessaries. 1t will be difficult to make the
people believe that bohea tea is luxu-
ry, and the article of fine broadcloths is
necessary Of life.
In stating that tire duties on the pro-
tected class ought to be retained, it has
been far from my wish to preclude inqui-
ry into their adequacy or propriety. If
it can be shown that, in any instance they
are excessive or disproportonate!y bur-
thensome on any section ofthe Union, for
one am ready to vote for their reduction
or modification. The system contempIates
an adequate protection: beyond that it is
not necessary to 60. Short of that, its
operation will be injurious to all parties.
The people of this country, or large
majority of them, expect that the system
will be preserved. And its abandonment
would produce general surprise, spread
desolation over the land, and occasion as
great a shock as n declaration of War
forthwith against the most powerful ma
ton of Europe.
But if the system be prcservcd,it it ought
to be honestly, fairly, and faithfully en-
forced That there do exist the most
scandalous violations of it, and the gros-
sest frauds upon the public revenue, in
regard to some Of the most important ar
tcles, cannot be doubted. As to iron,
objects really belonging to one denomin-
alton, to which higher duty is attach
ed, are imported under another name, to
which lower duty is assigned, and the
law thus evaded. False invoices are
made as to woollcns, and the classifca-
ton into minimums is constantly eluded.
The success Of the American manuiac-
ture Of cotton bagpinp has been such ms