Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-03-11


URGED calculated! to prove il wise or unwise-sO
in bill to raise imposts. II must first be ascer
tanned that the bill Is based on the principles or
revenues, and that the money raised is necessa.
~ for the wants of the country. These being
ascertaiBed, every argument, direct and indirect,
may 90 to show that. under all the circumstan-
ces, the provisions Of the bill are proper or I'M
proper. Had this plain and simple rule been ad-
hered to, We should never have heard OF the
complaint Of Carolina. Her objection IS not
against the improper modification Of bill &C
knowledged to be for revenue; but that, under
the name of imposts. power essentially Differ
ent from the taxing power. IS exercised-partaK-
ing much more of the character OF penalty
than a tax. Nothing is more common than that
things closely resembling in appearance should
wisely and essentially differ in their character
| Arsenic, for instance, resembles hour, yet one
is deadly poison, and the other that which con-
stitutes the staff of life. So, duties imposed
| whether fur revenue or protection, may be CALI
ed Imposts, though nominaly and apparently
the same, yet differ essentially in their real cha
racter.
Mr.. C. sail he should nov return TO his speech
on the Tariff Of 1916. To determine what his
opinions really were on the subject OF protection
at that time, it would be proper to advert ii. his
timents preceding 1916, on this subject, are mat
ter of record. He came into Congress in 1912.
devoted friend aud supporter of the then ad-
mnistration; vet one of his FIRST efforts was to
brave the administration. by opposing its 'tavo-
rite measure, the restrictive system-embargo
non intercourse, and all-and tat upon The prln.
cipe of free trade. The system renamed III
fashion for time; but, after the overthrow oil Bo-
naparte, he (Mr c.. had reporieda bill from the
Committee Oh Foreign Relations, to repeal the
whole system Of restrictive measures. While
the bill was under consideration. a worthy man.
then member Of the House, Mr.. Mcklm, uf
Baltimore moved to except the non importation
act. which he supported on the ground OF encnu-
rayement to manufactures. He MIR. {. resist
! ed the motion on the very grounds on which Mr..
MoKim Supported it. He maintained that the
manufacturers were then receiving ton much pro-
lection, and warned its friends that the withdrawal
Of the protection which the war and the high du-
ties then afforded, would cause great embarrass.
mrnt; and that the true policy in the mean time
was TO admit foreign goods as freely as possible.
| in order TO diminish the anticipated embarrass-
ment on the return of peace; in,imatins at the
| same time his desire to the Tariff revised, with
view of affordng moderate and permanent
protection
Such was his conduct before 1916. Shortly
after that period, he left Congress. and had no
opportunity of making his sentiments in
reference tn the protective system. which shortly
after began to be agItsted. But he had the most
conc usive evidence that he considered the ar
rangement ut the revenue IN 1916 as growing out
of the necessity OF the case. aud due to the con
sldetalion of Justice. but that. at that early
period, he was not without his fears, that even
that arrangement would lead to abuse and future
difficulties He regretted that he had been com
| pelied to dwell 50 long himself; but trusted
that whatever censure might be incurred would
not be directed against him, but agains' those whU
| had drawn his conduct into the controversy; and
who might hope, bv assaiins his motives, to
wound the cause with which he was proved to be
identified
lie might add. that all the Southern States
voted with South Carolina in support OF the bill;
not that they had any interest in manufactures.
but 'on the ground that they had supported the
war, and of course fell corresponding Obli.a
non to sustain those establishments which had
grown up under the encouragement 1t had incl
dentaIly afforded; while most OF the Ne" E. g.
land members were opposed to the measure, prin.
cipa!iy. as ne believed, on opposite principles.
He had now, he trusted, satsfac iOrily repealed
the charge against the State aud himself personal
~, in reference to the Tariff Of 1916 Whatev
er support the State had given the bill, had "rIgl'
ua,ed IN the most d,sluteres'ed motives
| There was not within the limits of the State,
ga fac as hts memory served h,m, single cotton
or woollen establishment. Her whole Deepen.
dence was on agriculture, and The cultivation OF
two great staples, rice and cotton. Her obvious
policy was 20 keep open the market at the world
unchecked and unrestrlc tn my cheap and
10 sell hlsh; bnt. from- iee,ing of Kindness
combined With "a sense Of Justice. she adied her
support 10 the bill We had bret, t"ld b, The
agents of the manufacturers. :ha, The protrC ion
which the MEASURE afforded wnuld he sufficient: III
! which we the more readily conceded. as 1t was
considered as a final adjustment of the question.
! Let us NOW. said Me-. G.. turn cur eyes forward,
| a nd see what has been the conduct OF the par.
Ties 70 this arrangement Have Carolina and
the Souih disturbed mis- adjustment? M, the,
have never raised their voice ~ single instance
against il: even though this measure. moderate
comparatively as il is, was felt with no Inconsid