Litchfield enquirer., 1833-01-24

Of Inc constitution! He win pToceed with =
this banner flying to the custom house in
Charleston,
GAN the while,
SonorOus metal slowing martial sou6ds.''
Arrived at the custom house, he win fen
the collector that he must collect no more du-
ties under any Of the tariff laws. This, he
will be somewhat puzzled to say, by the way
with grave countenante, considering what
hand South Carolina herself had in that OF
1915. But, sir. the collector would probably
not desist, at his bidding. He would show
him the law Of Congress, the treasury instruc-
ton, and his own oath Of office. He would
say he should perform his duty, come what
might. Here would ensue pause for they
say a certain stiffness precedes the tempest.
The trumpeter would hold his breath awhile,
and before this military array should fall on
the custom house, collector, clerks and all. il
is very probable some Of those composing it
would request Of their gaIlant Communicating
chief tn be informed little upon the point of
law. for they have, doubtless, a just respect
for his opinions as a lawyer. as well as for his
bravery as a soldier.
They know he has read Blackstone and the
Constitution, as well as Turenna and Vauban.
They would ask him, therefore, something
concerning their rights in this matter. They
would inquire whether.it was not somewhat
dangerous to resist law ofthe United States.
What would he the nature of the offence,
they would wish to learn. if they by military
force and array, resisted the execution in Car
DINA of law of the United States, it should
turn out, after all, the law aU0s constitutional?
He would answer, of course, treason. No
lawyer could give any other answer. John
Fries, he would tell them, had learned that
some years ago. How then, they would ask,
do you propose to defend us ?-".Look at
that floating banner he would reply; - see
there the nulhitying talo ~
Is it your opinion. gallant commander, they
woald then say, that if we should be indie ted
would make good plea in bar? South
Carolina is "a sovereign state, !" he would reply
that is true, but would the judge admit Of
our plea! "These tariff laws" he would re-
peat, :. are unconstitutional. palpably, deliLe-
rately, dangerously" That all may be so,
but IL the tribunal should not happen to be of
that opinion, shall we swing for it? We are
ready to die For our country but it is rather
an awkward business, this dying without
touching thssground After all, this is sort
of hemp, tax, worse than any part Of the tariff
Correspondence Of the ~. Y. Journal of Commerce.
=. zaak ington, Jan. Q. 1888.
The CO be- Bill reducing and
otherw les on imports was
resume 5use of Representa-
tives, an Vi OF Gem. delivered
his views IL nd with mach ability. 10
opposition to It's principles and details. The
points which he made were, first, that it
was very doubtful whether the bill would OPP
crate to reduce the revenue second, that, in
81 10 to
that sum would be too small for the probable
expenses, certain and contingent, of the gov
crnnent; and third. that 1t proposed system
of revenue which wonId break down all the
interests which. il had been the policy of the
government. from its commencement, to cher
ish and protect. On the last point he dwelt
with energy and feeling. Suppose, said he,
the bill shall reduce the revenue to the point
proposed, the great question is. whether il is
expedient to let the reduction fall 80 as to save
the industry OF the country. or 70 destroy 1t.
The bill does not profess. on its face, to de.
stpoy the protective system, but in practical
effect, itannihilates it. Whether this system
is constitutional or not, is not the question.
IL it was, no further argument on the subject
wou be necessary than that which had al
ready been laid before the public. by an illus
trious citizen now in retirement, (Mr. Madi-
son,) and BY his honorable friend, the Chair
man of the Committee on Ways and Means,
Mr.. Verplanck.l Is is expedient? Here
wide field Of remark opened, in which he
might consume much of the precious time of
the House. By the destruction Of the sys.
tenn, the whole productive power of the coun-
try would be lessened or destroyed. Those
who till your soil, and those whose labor aud
capital have taken shelter under your laws,
will be reduced to the condition of the pau.
pefs of the old world. The reward of labor
will become a bare Subsistence The moral
and intellectual culture of children must be
abandoned. Whsle classes Of society, now
possessed Of the means of comfort s. improve
ment, will be reduced to the condition of
slaves. Where will the productions OF the.
North hnd market? Ia the free States Uf
Europe who talk Of free trade Can you sell
barrel OF Hour to them Who will purchase
our manufactures, if any are continued! No
human being can tell what desolation this bin
viii spreads through the Northern, Mijdleand
Eastern ates. Why are we called upon TO
give u system which has been found just
and expedient Why shall we, 10 framing
new system OF revenue, destroy thiAsy stem.0f
Poi'cy, whenit il confessedly in power to
reduce the revenue TO proper point. without
INJURY TO that system? Is the House dispes-
ca 20 leglslate so hastily aud rashly on this
snDJect Is this the usual course Of legisla-
t'on 10 these respects? l ask whether the
people expected that this subject would be
acted on at this time? Did they expect that,
~ Tue snort space Of two years, they were to