The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-04-10

or unconstiiutionslity Of
laws. One member Of Congress may vote
for q particular import duty. with view sole.
ly to revenue another with view 10 pro-
lection snd il the eoDstitutlonali'y ot the du-
ty depends on the motive Of the Legislature,
II is constitutional, and unconstitutional st the
same time. Because our consiiiutros Is an
excellent one, gentlemen appear 10 think, that
no oppression or injustice can be pTactised
withoota violstion Of IL. They seem to for.
get, that no set Of men ean bs clothed with
the authority to do good. without possessing
the power 10 do evil. Congress is clothed
with powers to render much beneh fetal ser-
vice to the people Of the United States; but
Il also possesses the power 10 adopt measures
highly injurious 10 the community and 1t 10
10 prevent, or correct this, that tie RESPONSE
bllliy ofmemhers to their constituents 10 pro.
vided, end. hence, the frequency OF elections.
Suppose Congress should, regardless OF the
public interests, proceed. by the imposition OF
internal taxes, to raise large SUMS OF money
for the purpose of doubling the military for
iiications Of the country. and TO increase the
Navy TO double its present force in two yesrs.
This, would DO very indiscrcet legislation.
snd the members who voted for II, would cer-
!sinly not be returned to the next Congress;
but still, they would not justly incur the charge
o. v'olating the constitution. The true RUE
70 be observed, in deciding upon the suthor.
[lfy OF Congressto to pass q law, 10, to enquire.
has Congress the poi1er to ocr on this subject
IL it one Of those, confded 10 it by tho Con.
stitution? Ifso, Congress may constitution.
ally act but in that action they may great
ly abuse their constitutional powers.
That tho subject Of duties, is ono within
the powers Of the general government, is
made still more apparent TO me by thesconsd-
Grafton, that the amount Of duties 10 the prn.
ciple subject OF oil commercial treaties be.
tween this end foreign governments. We
hsvc, but few days since, ratified Q treaty
with the French Government, in which, du-
ties on imported merchandise formed an i'm.
portant srticle. Ifh shall ever be determin.
ed, that the regulation of Tariff. is not un.
der the control OF the General Government,
the power TO mako commercial treaties, will
be impaired. Although, disopprove and
condemn the Tariff Jaws, as inAicting gres,
injustice upon q largo portion Ofthe commu.
nifty and although. am willing to join with
those who differ with me upon the last poin,
discussed, in tho reduction Of duties end pub.
lie burdens, cannot unite with them 10 pro.
nouncing theso laws unconstitutional.
Mr. President, | have submitted TO the Sen
ate, the views ] entertain upon the grea,
questions involved in this debate. My con.
viction is, that the present Tariff laws, are
unjust, unequal, and oppressive still, ] am OF
opinion, Congress had the power TO enact
them. ] have also stated the principle up.
on which We ought to meet and adjust sub.
ject, which 10 now sgitsting and distrscting
The whole country. entreat the Senate to
consider, that our government 10 not only q
great political but mora structure, and what
ever slienates the affections Of any portion
Of its citizens weakens its strength. Al
though all feel and acknowledge their at
tachment TO the Union, We cannot tell what
may be the effecte Of injustice and oppres-
sion long continued. Should they who com.
plain even be mistaken in great degree ~
& 'hd6fyeGa af iheeS dXdeyhPSU SUs Mn hhPs SybasAf,
they are asking nothing of the Government,
only to belet alone, The very nature OF this
controversy entities thom 10 favor. The
manufacturers have obtained tho interference
Of Congress in their behalf. In every case
Of this kind, where there 10 doubt, whether
the action Of the Government, when employ
ed in behalf Of portion Of its citizens, may
be injurious to others, il is the duty Of the
Government not to act or should it havo act.
ed, 10 retrace its steps, placing oil its eiii'
zens upon an equal footing, and letting them
rely upon their own industry and cnterprixe;
rather than on governmental aid for their
wealth and prosperity. II those who advo
cate the manufacturing interests on this
floor, shall decline to accede 10 the terms OF
compromise have suggested, will il not be
apparent TO all the world, that q fair and
reasonable protection is not all that is desir.
ed but that eXtravagant profits is their OBJ
joct, and iha; too, al tho exponse OF justice
and right. That spirit, if il exists, will not long
bo INDUCED by a high minded, just people.
The reaction which always, sooner or later,
takes place against injustice, will shake the
whole protecting system to its foundation
and they may in vain ask that compromise
which they now reject. ] ask Scnstors, il
they will not yiold something, in order thst
s,rifes and contentious may cease, and good
will and brotherly love prevail throughou,
this great American family? Sir, inauspic.
-ious and unfavorable as appearances are.
will still indulge the hope that the same splr.
II OF concession, amity and concord, which
presided in the councils Of our fathers, when
they framed and adopted our Constitution
may likewise influence our deliberations; tha,
it may descend aud abide with those who are
10 6ll our places, in all future time; 90 tha,
this Government, and this Union, may be per.
petual.
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22d. COngrcss-1st Session.