The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-03-07

'S >N>AA>ts '"Sia ~ llf iiiii.i'iAc. tiiS AiSsA
aqu!ry is, how shall it be supplied! There
S but one way; corresponding increase
of the duties OH imports. We have no
thcr source of revenue, but the Post
Office. No one would think of lay!iig.it it
Il that, or to raise The amount by Internal
axes. The result. then, thus far, wcuid
Je to withdraw from the Treasury five
millions of the proceeds of the sales OF
the public lands, to be distributed among
tic States, and TO impose an equal amount
Of duty on imports, to make good the de-
icit. Now would ask, what is the dif-
ference, between Withdrawing that amount
for distribution, and imposing similar
amount of duties on the imports, to sup
ply its place, and that of leaving the pro-
ceeds of the sales of the land in the Trea-
sury; and imposing an equal amount Of
duties for distribution? 1t is clearly the
same thing, in effect, to retain the pro-
cceds Of the public lands in the Treasury
and to impose the duties for distribution,
or to distribute the proceeds and thereby
force the the imposition Of the duties to
supply the place.
Its, then, in reality. scheme to i'm
pose five millions Of additional duties On
the impotations of the country, 10 tie Dis
tributed among the States; and l.now
ask where is the Senator who Will openly
avow himself an. advocate of such a
scheme? Iput the question home, solemn
", to those on the opposite side, do you
not believe that such scheme would be
unconstitutional, unequal, urjus:, and
dangerous? And can you, as honest men,
do not in effect, by indirect means, which,
if done directly, would be clearly liable
to every one of those objections?
Ihavc said such would be the case, re-
garded as fiscal transaction. Ina poEti-
cal point of view, the distribution of the
proceeds of the sales of the land would
be the worst of the two. 1t would crc-
ate opposing and hostile relations between
the old and new States, in reference to
the public domain. Heretofore the con-
duct of the Government has been distin-
glished by the greatest hberality, not to
say generosity, towards the new States,
in the Administration of the public lands.
Adopt this scheme, and its conduct will
be the reverse. Whatever might be
granted to them, would subtract an equal
amount from the sum to be distributed.
An austere and rigid administration would
be the result, followed by hostile feelings
on both sides, that would accelerate the
conflict between them in reference to the
public domain--a conflict advancing but
too fast by the natural course of events,
and which any one, in the least gifted with
foresight, must see, come when it will,
would shake the Union to the centre. un-
less prevented by wise and timely conces-
sion.
Having shown that the scheme is, in ef-
feet, to impose duties for distribution, the
next question is, on whom will they fall!
| know that there is a great diversity of
opinion as to who, in fact, pays the duties
on imports. I do not intend to discuss
that point. We of the staple and export
ing States have long settled the question,
for ourselves almost. UNANIMOUSLY, from
Sdu tApSllCllCc.
We know how r,inously high duties
fell on us; how they desolated cur cities,
and exhausted our section. We also know
how rapidly we have been recovering as
they have been going off, in spite of all
the difficulties of the times, and the dis
tracted and disordered state Of the cur
rency. 1t is now fixed maxim with US,
that there is not whit Of difference, as
far as we are concerned, between an ex-
port and import duty-between paying
toll going out, or returning in-or going
down to market, or returning back. If
this be true, of which we have no doubt,
it is point of no little importance to us
cf the staple States to know what portion
of the duties will fall to our lot to pay.
We furnish about three-fourths of the ex-
ports, with about -two-ifths Of the whole
population. Four-ffihs of five millions IS
four millions, which would be the mca-
sure of our contribution; and two-ftths of
five millions is two millions, which would
I A.. J,,t..L,,k,o~. 41,ot f,>