Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-12-04


proper Objects will be oy referring to the liberal
provision made during the same period Tor the support
and increase of our maritime and military defence, for in
terna improvements of national Character tor the re-
moyal and preservation OF the Indians, and, lastly, for
the gallant veterans of the Revolution
TN, final removal of this great burtlen from our re-
sources affords the of further provision for all the
objects # general welfare ana public defence which the
authorizes and presents the occasion for
further reduction in the revenue not be required
for them From The report OF the Secretary OF the Tre
sury it will be seen that alter The present year such
ducton may De made considerable extent the
subject is earnestly recommended the consideration of
Congress- in the hope that the combined wisdom Of the
Representatives of the People will devise such Of
eiecng tina; sauary object, as may remove those bur-
tens which shall be found TO iall uneqiay upon any,
and may promote all the grea interests Ut Tie commu.
nifty.
Long and patient reflection has strengthened the OPT.
Mons have heretofore expressed to Congress trs sub
ject and deem IT my duty, Gu The present occasion,
again 10 urge them upon the attention OF the Legislature.
The soundest maxims of public Foley and the principles
upnn which our republican institutions are founded, re-
commend proper adaptation of the revenue to the
pendtnre, AMI they also require that the expenditure
shall be limited What, by economical administration,
shall be consistent with the simplicity of the Government
and necessary efficient public service. In effect
ing this adjustment, is due, IN justice to the interests
OF the different States and ever to the preservation of
the Union ITSELF that the protection afforded by existing
laws to any branches CT the natoa industry should not
exceed what may be necessary IL couneract the regua
lions of foreign nations and to SECURE supply OF hose
articles OF manufacture, essenato the national incpen-
dence and safety in lime of Ii, upon investigation,
it shall be found, it is believed will be- that the Le
ga,ive protection granted 10 ahy particular interest is
greater than is ndspensaby requisite for these objects,
recommend that it be gradually siminshed and that as
as far as may be consistent with cse objects, the whole
scheme OF duties be reduced to tie revenue standard as
soon as just regard to the faith The Government and
to the preservation of the large clpta invested in csa
blishments Of domestic industry viii permit
That manufactures adequate to the supply of our do
mestic consumption would in The abstract, be bcncl'
cia 10 country, there is reason to doubt and to
effect their establishment, there is, Perhaps, Amcri
citizen who would not for while, be willing to pay
higher price for them But for this purpose, it is pre-
sumed that tariff Of high due designed for perpetual
protection, has entered into t minds Of but few OF our
statesmen. The most they have anticipated, is a TEN.
porary and generally incidental protection, Which they
maintain has the effect to rednce the price, by domestic
competition, below that Of the foreign article Exper.
ence, however, our best guide this other SUBJ
ects, makes it doubtful whether the advantages of this
system not counlerbaanoed by many evils and whe.
Their 1t does not tend to bege in the minds OF large
portion OF countrymen 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 Lee
gslation, which it would violation of public faith
suddenly to abandon Nothing could justify it but the
public safety, which IS The supreme law But those who
have vested their capital III manufacturing cstabi,h-
ments, exp, that the people will continue per-
manently pay high for their benefit when the
money not required for any legitimate purpose in the
administration OF the Government Is tno enough that
the high duties have been paid long the money ar
sing fiom them could be applied to the common benefit
in the eXtinguishmcn of the public debt j!
| Those who take enlarged view of the condition Of
country, mus, be satisfied thatthepocy of protection
must be ultimately limited to those articles of domestic
manufacture which indispensable to safety in time
OF war. Within this scope, on reasonable scale, 1t is re-
commended by every consideration of patriotism duty,
which will doubtless alw secure to liberal efficient
support But beyond this object we have already seen
the operation OF the system productive OF discomfort In
some sections of the republic its influence deprecated
tending wealth into few hands, and
creating those germs of dependence and vice which in
other countries have characterized the existence OF mo-
nopoes and proved SO destructive Of liberty and the
general good. large portion OF he People in
lion of the republic declares it MOI only neXpedent
these grounds but disturbing nc equal relations of
property by legislation, and therefore unconstitutional
| and unjust.
Doubtless these effects are, in feat degree, exagge.
rated, and may be ascrbed to mistaken view OF the
considerations which led to the abption of the Tariff
system but they are nevertheless Important in enabling
us to review the sub ject with moe thorough know
ledge of all its bearings upon the sea interests of the
republic, aud with determination to dispose OF so
| that with justice complain.
1t is my painful duty state, that quarter Of the
United States, oppositoni to the laws has risen
to height which threatens thwar their execution, il
not to endanger the integrity Of the Union. Whatever
distractions may be thrown in tie Wy OF The Judicial
Authorities Of the General Govermat it is hoped Ihey
will be able peaceably to overcomu lem by the pru-
dence of their officers and the patriotism OF the pe0
pic. But should this reasonable reliafe on the moera
ton and good sense u all portions off fellow citizens
be disappointed ii is believed uaa III laws themselves
are fully adequate to the Suppression such attempts
may be Immediately made. Should ~ exigency arise,
rendering the execution of the existing laws impractical
Bile from any whatever, prompt ptce of will he
given to Congress, with the suggest of such views
aud measures may be deemed neceslry tOmeet it.
! In conformity with principles hereof explained and
with the hope Of reducing the GeneH 'vernmcnt to
that simple machine which the Consti,nn created and
of Withdrawing from the States all ottr influence than
that of its universal benefccnce in prrving peace, at
fordng uniform currency, maintanis the inviolabi
ty of contracts, dus;ng intelligence Ind discharging
uneit its other experimenting iunctios, recommend
that provision be made TO dispose of locks now held
by in corporations, whether created the General or
State Governments, and placing the proceeds in tie
Treasury AS of profit these locks of lit
tie or no value: ofinHuence aoag the States,
llhey adverse to the purity of our ititutons. The
whole principle which they base is deemed by
many unconstitutional, and TO persist in se policy which
! they indicate is considered wholly lnexptent.