Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-03-20
an immediate reduction Of The duties as should

That reduction to the lowest ameuh' "eSee-
sary to supply the wants Of the government
might be safely effected in four or flve years.
cannot IN our estimation. admit OF reasonable
doubt; still, in great struggle Tor pr'nciptes'
South Carolina would disdain to cavii ABOUT
small amount Of duties, and few years more or
less in effecting the adjustment, provided only
she can secure substantial justice, and obtain
distinct recognition Of the principle Tor winch
she has long contended. Among the provisions
of the new Bill, which recommend it to our &c.
ceptance. is the establishment OF system oil aa
valorem duties; and the entire abandonment OF
the specific duties, and the n'inimuns. Iyran-
meal provisions, BY which duties rated nominally
at Is per cent. were in many cases raised to up
wards of 100 per cent, and by which the coarse
and cheap articles, used by the poor, we're tax.
ed much higher than the expensive articles. used
by the rich; an unjust and odious regulation, a.
gainst which we have constantly protested in the
most earnest terms. The reduction before the
expiration of the present year Of one tenth part
of the duties on all articles " exceeding twenty
per cent on the value thereof" embracing the
entire mass of the protected articles) and grad
ua reduction thereafter, on such articles down
to 90 per cent. (the duties upon which, under the
tariff of 1882, range from so to upwards OF 100
per cent, and average upwards OF 30 per cent?
are great and manifest aaelioraions of the sys.
ten, to the beuefts of which we cannot be insen-
sibie. But great as must be the advantages OF
these reductions, they are small in comparison
with the distinct recognition. in the new Bill, OF
two great principles which we deem Of inestima.
BILE value-thai the duties shall eventually be
brought down 10 the revenue standard, even it 1t
shall be found necessary to reduce the duties on the
protected articles below 90 per CT, that no more
money shall be raised tnan shall be necessary to
an &c onomical administration Of the Government.
These provisions embody the great principles
in reference to this subject for which South Caro-.
lima has SO long and so earnestly cOntended; and
If the pledge therein contained shall be fulfilled
in good faith. must, in their operation, ar
rest the abuses which have grown out OF the un-
authorised appropriations OF the public money.
We should consider the reduction Of the revenue
to the amount Unnecessary to the economical adj
ministra,ion Of the government" as one OF the
happest reforms which could possibly take place
in the practical operation of our system; as 1t
would arrest the progress of corruption, limit the
exercise of executive patronage and po~er-res-
tore the independence Of the states, and put an
end to all these questions of disputed power,
against which we have constantly protested. II
is this aspect Of the question which has recon.
ciled US to the provisions of the new bill, (cer.
tainly not free from objrctons) which provide for
the Introduction of linens. silks. worsted, and
number of other articles. zee Of duty. The re-
ductiOn Of revenue which viii thereby be effected,
and the beneficial influence Of free trade, in
several OF these articles which are almost exclu-
sively purchased BY The agricultural staples Of
the Southern States. and which will furnish all
advantageous exchange for these productions. to
the amount Of seveval millions of dollars annu-
allv, are considerations not to be OverlnOked.-
Nor can we be insensba TO the benefits to be
derived from the united efforts of the whole
South. aided by other states having interests
identified with our own, in bringing about the
late adjustment Of the tariff, promising. we trust
for the future, that union Of sentiment and con-
cert in action, winch arc necessary to secure the
rights and interests OF the Southern States. On
the whole, in whatever aspect the question is
contemplated, your committee find in the late
mod fcati0n of the tariff cause for congratulation
and triumph.
If we have not vet succeeded in the complete
establishment of the great principles OF free trade
and constitutional liberty. such progress hasbee
made towards the accomplishment OF the former,
as must serve To rekinde our hopes, and to ex-
cite Us to fresh exertions in the glorious work OF
reform in which we are engaged. Influenced BY
these views. the committee is satisfied that 1t
would no, comport with the liberal feelings OF the
people of South Carolina, nnr be cOnsisltn mt with
the sincere desire by which they have always
been animated not only to live in harmony with
their brethren, but to preserve the Union OF the
States. could they hesitate under existing circum
stances in recommending that the ordinance OF
Modification, and the acts Of the Legislature
cons eQuent thereon, be henceforth held and deem.
ed of no force aud effect And they recommend
the following
ORDINANCE.
WHEREAS, the Congress of the United States,
by an At recently passed, has made such redu
ton aud modification Of the duties upon foreign
imports, as amounts substantially to an ultimate
reduction of the duties to the Revenue Standard,
and that no higher duties shall be laid than may
be necessary to defray the economical expendi
lures OF the Government:
II IS therefore Ordained and Declared, That
the Ordinance entitled An Ordinance to Null
lily certain acts of the Congress Of the United
States, purpurtng 10 Or laws LAYING duties on the