Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-08-25

TARIFF, OR DIRECT TAxATIoN-Tho financial
condition of the United States is such that the 60
vernment will soon be brought to the alternative of
direct taxation augmentation of the present ta-
riff in order to the expenses of the nation This
state Of thinge has been arrived at in consequence of
the falling off of the ordinary resources and the pro-
babe future deficiency of the national treasury. A
question of national policy must. therefore, be-
settled, in order relieve the pecuniary emergency
of the government. The time has been when the
subject of the tariff and direct taraton, assumed alto
gether political aspect from present indications it
does not appear that these matters are particularly
identified with either of the great political parties of
the day-conillcting views are had on this subject,
by those who profess the same political faith
L he policy of direct taxation is unquestionaby
founded on political justice, and republican equa-
ty; 1t is constitutional resort to raise means for
government expenses; but whether it is the best al
Tentative in the present condition of the country is
matter which assumes questional shape. That
constitutional obe clions exist in the minds of MANY
against raising revenue expressly by the operation
ofImpost duties on foreign productions is not denied
But those Who are the most scrupulous on this sub
Jecf, lind 1t extremely difficult to define the constitu
tional limit Of The tariff laws. At any rate. nothing
can be more absurd than to abandon all protective
laws, however much the interests of the country
may demand them, because a revenue happens to
accrue out of their operation. Government has
duty TO perform; this duty extends to the protection
of all the laudable pursuits of the people. and the
general good of society. And more especially in
republican form of government, Is it necessary 10
protect the laboring and manufacturing classes of
society, from unjust competition from abroad for how
else shall we be able TO maintain our republican
equality and avoid those distinctions which exist in
communities where labor is not Justly compensated
The true policy off republican government should
DC 10 legsiate IN such manner, shall best pro-
mote equality among the people; whatever legsla
ton tends to destroy such equality is destructive to
our form of government. Where the few control
the many, il is usually where the latter are in state
OF dependency upon the former so in ali monarch-
cal governments, the privileged and the rich, dom-
nate over, and control the majority because the wa
gos OF labor are inadequate to enable tho common
people to rise above their dependent condition
Remove oil protective laws, and no American
manufactures, can successfully compete with the
European manufacturers, unless labor be made as
cheap in this country elsewhere, for the manu.
iacturer of any article of trade, must of necessity
regulate his price, in proportion to the expense he
lncurs In producing the article. If the wages of la
Dor be but onc-third, nefourth in Europe to that
of the United States, how is it possible that our
homo fabrcations, be afforded as cheap MS those
of foreign importation, if both be offered in the same
market free of impost laws? And will any one be-
lieve that our condition people, would be better
ed, were the price of labor reduced to one shilling
per day instead of the present amount 1t is argued
by many, that our merchandise and tho produce of
our soil, will always bear proportionate value to
that of labor; consequently whether labor be high
low, every thing else would be regulated in value ac
cordingly. This altogether mistaken view of
the subject; for in portion of Europe, do tho same
proportions exist between labor and the productions
of the soil, in the United States and in but few
countries has labor hitherto, been more amply paid
than in this.
Again, it is argued thatif our manufacturing inte-
rests cannot maintain competition with those of 9TH
er countries without legislative protection, or with
out detrment to the laborng classes then it will be
better TO abandon them altogether, and let the peo-
pie the resources of agriculture for which
country is admirably fitted. 1t is true the re-
sources of agriculture afford sure and nevor-failing
reward, but for nation to depend entirely on such
resources, is bad political economy. Our foreign
exchanges could be met only TO a limited extent by
the produce of agriculture besides, the scarcity or
plenty in Europe, would continually subject us to
fluctuations, and embarrassments, and we should be
thrown upon the caprices of markets, which are
governed more by the elements and the seasons, Than
by man. Indeed in country of SO vast extent as
ours, combining SO many peculiar natural advanta-
ges it is idle to talk of abandoning our mechanical
and manufacturing interests, and leave them without
legislative protection.
That many of eur manufacturing interests have
already suffered materially by removing the duties
upon articles of foreign importation, is matter be-
You'd dispute. To say nothing of the extensive en-
barrassments, in consequence of the depression of
cotton and wooden goods of American fabric hume
rous other branches of domestic trade, and commerce.
have suffered extensively. Millions ofdoars which
were invested in the growing of the Mulberry, and
the manufacture of silk, have proved disastrous fail
ures. spirit of speculation doubt produced ex-
cessive investments, and imprudent expenditures in
this kind of business but it is nevertheless true that
capital which has been judiciously expended in tho
fabrication of silk, has proved losing investment
not in consequence of imprudent management, but
owing 10 foreign competition, and the slight duties
which are now imposed on silks of foreign importa-
ton. The fabrication of many other articles in the
United States of home use, and of commerce which
were once extensively produced are now almost al
together abandoned, because of the cheapness which
the same commodities, can be purchased abroad. In
our own Territory, the enterprise by which our lead
mines worked, is likely to be in measure dis
couraged by the operation of our tariff laws.
In addition 10 the obligation which government
owes to protect the interests of every class of its
citizens is the duty of developing its own resources
and retaining its capital home 1t is estimated in
the late message of the President of the L. States.
that the debts which this country owes in Eurcrc,