Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-08-31
ADDI! ESS
ADDRESS
TO THE PEOPLE or THE CONGRESS
SIONAL DISTRICT or CHARLESTON

LLow-CITIzENs:-In consequence Of the near
approach of The period when the payment of the
public debt was anticipated, it naturally OK
pectcd and desired, that the late Congress, before
lis adjournment, would revise and so modify the
tariff act of 1928, to reduce, considerable the
amount of the revenue which it provided for and
also the rate OF the duties which levied under
1t, upon tue importation of protected articles. AS
early as January, 1882, two resolutions of the
House of Representatives. directed the Secretary Of
the Treasury 80 collect information as to certain
manufactures in the United States and to commit
ncatc the same to the House, with such suggest
ions as he might think useful with a view the ad-
jnstmont Of the tariff, and with such tariff of d,-
ties on imports as might, i'll his opinion, be best
adapted to tho advancement of the public interest "
In the report made by the Secretary of the Trca-
snry in compliance it'll these resolutions, he re.
marked that the ImpOst System "of the United
States has been for many years, incidentally, but
so intimately connected with the growth and pro-
lection of American capital and labor as to have
raised up great national interests indispensable to
the prosperity of the country, and which cannot
be lost sight OF, in any adjustment Of the sys-
tenn. In the circumstances which require at pre-
Sent, general reduction of the revenue, it is not
deemed practicable TO pursue for any length ol
time, the degree of protection hitherto afforded to
those interests which have grown up under the
past legislation. The state of public feeling
throughout important portion of the country,
which with greater or less intensity, calls for a re-
vision Of the existing tariff, is not to- he disguised
bOln patriotism ana WISDOM dictate That tins sen
tmcut should he respected, and as FAR as may bo
compatible with the common wcnl, that IL be salts
fed, not from any uuwor thy motive, but under that
obligation of duty which requires that all be regard
cd with an equal eye: that all be borne upon with
equal hand; aud under that no less solemn oh.
legation, to preserve by any reasonable CONCESSIONS
our ncstm1blc Union" In the spirit Of these sen
tlmcnts, which rcsound 50 much to the credit of
the head and the heart of tho Secretary, lie prcpar
cd bill for Congress, which, with some atcra-
lions, would, in my Judgment, have been peculiar
" adapted to mott the cxiCcnclcs of tho times.
This bill was referred TO the Committee on Man
ulacturcs of the House of Representatives, who
protested to make it the basis Of bill reported 10y
Them, which, after having received various amend
mcnts, became a law or tho 18th Of July 1882.
For the vote which given by me upon tho e.
nal passage of this bill, All the newspapers through.
out the State. which arc attached to the doctrine
of Notification, have charged me with having sn.
CrlcCd the interests Of NV constituents, and with
having acted Inconsistency with opinions which
had previously expressed. Anxious that my Eel
low.cilizcns, whether they bo my political friends
or foes, should be in possession Of the motives Of
my political conduct in order that they may lie
enabled TO determine whether / merit their conf
dcucc have Justly exposed myself to their cen
sure, | will submit To them the reasons that 90.
yorncd nc upon the subject under consideration.
The provisions Of the Tariff Act Of 1892, arc,
by 10 means such as desired thom TO have been;
hn whom ibcy were undcr discussion, before Con
gross, the problem for The solution Of the nom
0cfs Of that Body, not in ordinary circumsian-
'ea What tariff act ought TO he, nor in what