Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1841-12-15

say, lndl, III the performance Ol tndt HloSt
delicate operation, moderate counsels would
seem 10 be the wisest The Government,
under which is our happiness TO live, owes
its existence 10 the spirit of compromise
which prevailed among its framers-jarring
and discordant opinions could only have been
reconcled by that noble spirit of PATRIOTISM
which prompted conclialion, and resulted
in harmony In the same spirit the CON-
promise bill, as it is commonly called, was
adopted at the session Of 1888. While the
people Of no portion of the Union will ever
hesitate TO pay all necessary taxes for the
support Of Government, yet an innate repug
nance exists, TO the imposilions of burlhens
not really necessary for that object In i'm
posing duties, however, for the purposes of
revenue; right to discriminate as to The arli-
cles on which the duty shall be laid, as well
as the amount, necessarily and most proper
ly exists Otherwise the Government would
be placed in the condition Of having to levy
the same duties upon all articles, the pro-
duciive, as well as the unproduciive.
The slightest duty upon some, might
have the effect Of causing their importa-
ton 10 cease, whereas others entering ex-
tensively into the consumption of the
country, might bear the heaviest, without
any sensible diminution in the amount
imported. So also the Government may
be justified in so discriminating, by refer
ence 10 other considerations of domestic
policy connected with our manufactures.
SO long as the duties shall be laid with
distinct reference 10 the wants of the
Treasury, no well founded objection can
exist against them. might be esteemed
desirable that no such augmentation of the
taxes should take place as would have
the effect of annuIling the land proceeds
distribution act OF the last session, which
act is declared TO be imperative The mo-
ment The duties are increased beyond 90
per cent. the maximum rate established
by the compromise act. Some of the
provisions of the compromise act, which
will 90 into effect on the 30th day Of June
next, may, however. be found exceedingly
inconvenient in practice, under any regu-
lations that Congress may adopt. ! refer
more particularly TO that relating to the
home valuation A difference in value of
the same articles, to some extent, will
necessarily exist at different ports but
that is altogether Insignificant, when
compared with the conflicts in valuation
which are likely to arise from the differen-
ces of opinion among the numerous ap-
praisers of merchandise. In many instan-
ces, the estimates of value must be con-
iectural, and thus as many different rates |
OF value may be established as there are
appraisers. These differences in valua- |
tion may also be increased by the inclina-
tion which, without the slightest imputa-
lion on their honesty, may arise on the
part Of the appraisers in favor of their
ports of entry. ] recommend
this whole subject TO the consideration of
Congress, with a single additional remark.
Certainty and permanency in any system
of governmental policy are, in all respects,
emnently desirable; but more particular
lyI this true IN all that affects trade and
commerce, the operations of which de-
pend much more on the certainty Of their
returns, and calculations which embrace
distant periods of time, than on high boun-
ties, or duties which are liable to constant
fluctuations.
AT your late session, invited your at
tention TO the condition Of the currency
and exchanges, and urged the necessity of
adopting such measures as were consist
ent with the constitutional competency Of
the Government, in order TO correct the
unsoundness of the one, and, as far as prac-
ticable, the inequalities Of the other. No
country can be in the enjoyment Of its full
measure OF prosperity, without the pres
ence Of a medium of exchange, approx
mating 10 The uniformity of value. What
is necessary as between the different ma.
tons of The earth, is also important as be-
tween the inhabitants Of different parts of
same country. With the first, the pre-
cious metals constitute the chief medium
of circulation; and such also would be
the case as to the last, but for inventions
comparatively modern, which have fur
nished, 10 place of gold and silver, pa
per circulation. ] do not propose 10 en-
fer into comparative analysis Of the
merits Of the two systems. Such belongs
more properly 10 the period of the intro
ducllon Of the paper system. The spec
ulative philosopher might 6ud inducements
Al, L I.