The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-02-23


purpose, Mr. Webster is in favor OF paving reasonable
duties upon those articles Of foeign luxuries which
now come in free.
He supposes that duty, not very high on silks and
the higher priced wines would bring into the Treasury
an amount equal TO the Secretarys estimate Of the
nua proceeds of the public lands On the propety Of
taxing these articles Of foreign luxury, Mr. Webster
holds very clear opinions and has frequently and re-
Gently expressed them in the Senate. He thinks il
great mistake-indeed great folly 10 encourage the
Importation Of such aIge amounts Of articles which
we could do well without and fiom foreign countries
winch buy little nothing from US From France,
Tor example, we buy and consume annually millions
upon millions Of silks and wines. Those articles be
ing Tree OF duty are constantly increasing in the
amount imported and consumed; while France, ON the
other hand takes little OF nothing Of our produc
TONS and draws the specie for those procure from
her II Il should be the effect Of on those arti-
cles Of foreign luxury to diminish their importation,
Mr.. Webster thinks that would be no evil
Ia this brief exposition Of Mr. Websters views with
regard to the Tarfor the accuracy Of which vouch
what's there TO which the South obecta Ii will
be recoected that during the last session Of Congress
MIR. Webster having made some remarks in relation
TO the Tariff and protecting system MIR. Calhoun
thanked him for his great candor and fairness
and said by and by il might be discovered, after an
examination of the subject that there not as much
difference between the two Senators himself and Mr..
Websterl as was supposed"
But il should be borne in mind that the laying Of
duties is Legislative not Executive measure and
Gen. Harrison has already expressed the opinion that
IN regard TO such questions the proper lead belongs TO
Congress. Mr.. Richie however, in seriously argu-
ing that the mere appointment of Cabinet officer is
pregnant with danger and portends radical change
In the Legislation Of the country in all the great
sures of national policy is evidently under the infu
ence OF those feelings of deep devotion the Execa-
tive will, which have characterized the whole
OF his party II Is very natural in servile worship
per at the shrine of Executive power the editor OF
the Enquirer has Of late years proven himself 10 be- TO
take for granted that the opinions not only the Pres
idenf but Of Of the Presidents Cabinet minister's
will be implicitly carried out by Congress. Prompt,
unqualified submission the part of member of Con
gress 10 the will Of the President cardinal item Of
the modern Democratic creed but il is no part OF
the Wing faith. The Wings hold that the revision
OF the Tariff and all other matters Of Legislation be-
long Of right to Congress, and not to the President,
much less to the Secretary Of STATE and this true Re
publican doctrine was recognized in the fullest manner
| by Gen. Harrison in the late canvass. President
Harrison and the whole Of his Cabinetlf they desi-
redit (Which they will no would not be able to force
upon the country high protective Tariff and splen
did system of Internal improvements The Hhigs
mould not permit il. beg Mr.. Richie therefore, TO
calm his agonzng fears this point. He is distress
| ing himself Unnecessarily.
| The truth Isl that this cry about high protective
| Tariff and splendid system Of Internal improve
ments, is an mpudent humbug got up 10 deceive the
public The charge that anything Of the kind is
tempated BY the Wings as q party, Or BY any Of the
more prominent leaders Of the Wing party, or that II
would be favored by Mr. Webster, if proposed, is
deliberate, wicked Misrepresentation, uttered by Mr.
Richie with view OF exciting distrust and dissaiis
faction in the Wing ranks and of deprving the peo-
pie ofthe services Of of their most capable public
servants by recurring to old differences Of opinion the
recollection Of which should have died with the
sions out Of which they grew.
| The measures about which Mr.. Webster once diff
fered with portion of the present Wing party
chiefly measures of expediency temporary in their
| ture and which have been consummated years ago
Upon all practical questions that can arise during
General Harrisons administration Mr.. Webster will
be und as fully TO meet the views of the great mass
of the Wing party, in the South well in the North,
any individual that could have been selected from
any quarter to fill the post which has been tendeedto
him. If he is not prime favoate in all sections of
the Union it will not be denied that he is great ia
vorte in some The North could with much pro
priety have objected to Secretary Of State from the
out the principle would preclude the formation Of any
competent respectable Cabinet whatever inasmuth
as no individual qualified for such a trust, who has
been in public life even for short time, could be
found whose whole course has been in entire
dance with the opinions Of every portion Of the Wing
party. Suppose Mr. Van Buren, had thought proper
10 invite seat in his Cabinet, Mr.. Calhoun Mr.
/ Tazewell OF any other distinguished member OF the
ultra State-rghs school, would the Northern supper
tiers of Mr. Van Buren, have objected 10 such APP
pointmen And if they had, would MI. Richie
have considered the objection valid
The Enquirer msapplcs the term Premier to Mr.
/ Webster. The Secretary of State of the United
States is not Premier. He is not the head Of the
Government. As member Of The Cabinet, Mr..
4
Tariff than any of his colleagues. As an fndi-
ridua his opinions that and all other questions so
far as they properly before the Executive WILL
no doubt have the influence their intrinsic merits may
entitle them to- Whatever may be the amount ofthls
influence, the South have shown, has nothing to
fear from it. He has both the ability and the dispo
sfion to the South essentially, in contributing
his aid to settle upon permanent and satisfacfory
basis questions of domestic policy of deep interest
that section of the Union.
Mr. Webster is called an old Federalist and is
tainted with his opposition to the last war Well,
how long has it been since Federalism or opposition
the great head of the Jackson party himself as dis
qualifying man for the public service rendering
him unworthy of the public honors 2 Did not Gen
Jackson in 1877, press upon President Monroe the
propriety of knowing distinction between Federal
lists and Republicans in forming his Csbinet1 This
only two years after the conclusion Of the war
And when he was himself elevated to the Presidency
whom did Gen. Jackson appoint Minister to Russia
John Randoiph--who denounced the war; while il
in progress, as IMPIous" and as COMFORTING
neither with the interest with the honor Of the
American people" And it should be remarked that
no individual contributed more to the downfall ofJohn
quincy Adams and the election Of Gen. Jackson
than this same John Randolph
Mr.. Buchanan denounced the War in terms as
strong as those used by Mr. Randolph yet he was ap
pointed to succeed Mr.. r. as Minister to the Court Of
the Russian Autocrat, and is of the
prominent, members Of the Van Buren, party, and an
asprant for the Presidency
war Yet he appointed by Gen. Jackson, At
torney General, then Secretary Of The Treasury and
lastly Chief Justice Of the Supreme Court Of the
United States. / cite these instances out Of many
that could be adluced to show that Gen Harrison in
dsregardng in Mr. Webs,ers case his opposition TO
the las, war is not only carrying out the doctrines Of
Gen. Jackson, but conforming to his practice and
freading in his footsteps.
In conclusion, let it be remembered, that Mr.. Web
ster has challenged all his enemies and in an especial
manner called upon Mr.. Calhoun, who was with him