Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1832-12-13

nfthe COUNTRY. for this object; tho present ID
has devoted to it 1.-THE means I
which flonrishing commerce has supplied
and prudent economy preserved for the
public treasury. Within the four years for
which the people have con6ded the executive
power to my charge, FIFTY eight millions Of
dollars will have been applied 10 the payment
of the public debt. That this has been ac
complished without stinting the expenditures
TOR AL other proper objects will be seen by re-
ferring to the liberal provision made during
the same period for the support and increase |
Of our means Of maritime and military de-
fence, for internal improvements OF a national
character, for the removal and preservation |
iof the Indians. and lastly for the gallant vet |
Grams of the revelation.
!. The final removal Of this great burthen
from our resources affords the means Of fur
Their provision for all the objects Of general
welfare and public defence which the consti-
tuition authorises, and presents the occasion
for such further reduction Ia tho revenue as
may not be required for them. From the
report of the Secretary Of the Treasury, it
will be seen that after the present year such a
reductiOn may he made to considerable eA-
tent, and the subject is earnestly recommend
ed to the consideration of Congress, in the
.hnnn thar tn" -a4.nahinsd svisdnnn of the Rep
resentatives Of the people will devise such
may remove those burthens which shall be
found to fall nnequally upon any. and as may
promote all the great interests lofthe commu-
nifty. A.
Long aud patient reflection has strengthen
ed the opinions have heretofore expressed
70 Congress on this subject; and deem it
my duty on the present occasion, again to
urge them upon the attention of the Legisla-
inre. The souhdest uaxims Of public policy
and the principles upon which our republican
Z institutions are founded, recommend a prop
er adaptation of the revenue to the expendi-
ture. and they also require that the 4expendi-
/ ture shall he limited 10 what, by anfecononi-
cal administration, shall be consistent " ith the
simplicity of the Government, and necessary
n an efficient public service. In affecting
mis- adjustment. it is due in justice to the in
terests ofthe different States, and even to the
J preservation Of the Union itself, that the pro-
Il ID afforded by existing laws to any
branches Of the national industry, should not
exceed what may be necessary to counteract
the regulations Of foreign nations. and TO Sc
cure supply Of those ariielss Of manufac-s
ture, essential to the Da9i4nal Independence
and safety in time Of waF IN. Doc inyesti.s
gation it shall he found, ii il Is nEleved il will
be. thatihe Legislative pf0istiiDn granted to
any particular interest Is greater than is indis-
pensaby requisite for these objects, / recon.
mend that it be gradually diminished, and
that, as far as may be consistent with these
objects. the whole scheme Of duties be reduc.
ed to the revenue standard as soon as Just
regard to the faith ofihe Government and to
the preservation of the large capital invested
in establishments Of domestic industry, will
permit. ~ .sssg5
: That manufactures adequate TO- the supply
Of our domestic CONSUMPTION would. in The
Rain e.
no reason 10 doubt; and to effect their estab
sishment, there is, perhaps no AmericaD citi-
zen who would not. for while, be willing 10
pay higher price for them. But, for this
purpose, It Is presumed that n tariff Of high
duties. designed for perpetual protection, has
Rstered into the minds of but few Of our
Statesmen. The most they have anticipated
y temporary and generally incidental pro-
lection, which, they maintain. has the effect
70 reduce the price by domestic competition,
/ below that ofthe former article. Experience,
however. our besf guide on this. as on other
subjects. makes it doubtful whether the adj
vantages VI this system are not cOunterhalan-
ced by many evils, and whether il does moi
tend 70 beget in the minds Of a large portion |
of our countrymen q spirit Of discomfort and |
Jealousy dangerous to the stability Of the I'm
ion. s |
What then shall be done? Large interests
nave grown up under the Implied pledge OF |
our national legislation. which II would Seem |
violation ofpuhlic faith suddenly to aban-
don. Nothing could justify II hut the public |
safety. which 10 the supreme law. But those |
who have vested their capital In manufacture
ing establishments, cannot expect that the |
people will continue permanently to paw high
taxes for their benefit, when the money 10
not required for any, legitimate purpose in
the administration of the Governmeot. Is il !
not enough that the high duties have been
paid % long as the money arising from theo,
could be applied toshe common benefit Il
the extinguishment Of the public debt g8l N
X Those who take an enlarged view at the
conditionO f our country, must be- satisfied
that the policy Of protection must he ultim.
ately limited 10 those articles OF domestic
manufacture which are Indispensable ID our
safety IN time q war. Within this scope, on
! reasonable scale. it is recommended BY eve.
~ consideration of patriotism and du- |
". which will doubtless always secure to il |
liberal and efficient support. But beyond
this object. we have already seen the ei,era- |
ton u the system productive of discomfort. |
20 some sections Of the republic lie influence /
e represented .. tending 10 concentrate wealth |
INTO few hands, and as creating those germs |
Of dependence and vice which 10 other coan. /
tries have characterised the existence Of mn. I
nopDliss, and proved so destructive Of lihertv I
and tn general GOOD. Al lares nors;an r,hy..
neOnie In one noulfof nf shs 80. l,: - =,