The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-02-20

increased
The distinguished member from Msssac husetts
MIR. Gushing, representing Of the largest manu-.
featuring interests tells you that the do
not wish any more protection. That may lay the
duties for the required amount thing we pease
They do ask it, but willing that the duties on
the protected articles should he increased-that they
propose lay these duties the unprotected articles
TO satisfy us, but II we prefer We may choose. No
from the South has said will that the does not
prefer lay duties the unprotected class Of articles
The North propose this 10 US, and announce The
proposition which we approve, because we have sus-
pcion that in offering us our own choice, they mean
10 cheat Us Why, then, sir this senscless cry OF
tariff, tariff, tariff
| am quite happy Mr.. Chairman, that afforded
the gentleman from New York opportunity TO place
himself night before the country. Il was TO what
had been Informed he had said thai referred Asto
| my friend from South Carolina, Mr.. Thompson,
would MS soon have suspected any man in this House
out OF Il Of being advocate of protective tariff
us him His explanation may be very well 10 set hun
right To others but wholly unne ssary as TO
| me With this explanation from the gentleman from
| New York, will pursue this subject farther but
content myself by remarkng that, whenever il does
come up, ii shall have the honor of this
floor shall be found its unwayering and uncompro.
missing opponent
In relation the proposed upon silks and wines
beg leave to submit few remarks am not willing
at the present session to enter into that subject
French silks and wines by treaty stipuations,
empt from duties until 1912, and feel no desire To
discriminate between French silks and those of any
other friendly power and there is no necessity of any
precipraie action the subject. Whenever the
whole field shall be opened and silks and wines can be
made the subjects OF a fair and equal taxation with
other subjects, am ready TO embrace them and i'm
| pose II upon them. They 1T subjects Of taxa
ton as any other foreign production, and much
SO than many They certainly not entitled to any
privilege because they are uxuries-nor as asserted
by my friend from Georgia Mr. Aiiord) because
there are great many pretty girls in the South who
wear silks" The "pretty girls Of the South are
under as high obligation TO pay tax for the silk
which adds much To their comfort and decoration
as the pretty girls every where who their
light woollens; and although should regret TO be less
an admirer of pretty girls than my friend from
| Georgia, yet this distinction is an homage that
not prepared to pay to their beauty The constitu-
ton has given the power to raise revenue for the pur
pose of supplying the of defayng the expenses
Of the Government and its and other legal obligations.
In the exercise of this power shall always be prepared
to impose such duties shall be necessary TO meet
these objects All that desire in relation silks
and wines, is TO act upon them at time and under
circumstances when | act advsedly and when
they can be subjected to fair and equal and just
imposition of duties.
have word to say in relation 10 the tobacco qes-
fion. My friend and colleague Mr.. Wise) seemed TO
think that the Tobacco Convention recently held in
this city, was but part Of the machinery which
putting in play to bring about renewal of the pro
fectipe system. was member Of that convention,
and although shall not question the sagacity Of my
colleague, distinctly assert that in that convention
did not hear any thing to Justify the suspicion.
II may be So but if il escaped my observation
and can truly say that did not participate in it, Up
on the subject Of The tobacco trade the inclination Of my
mind is TO differ with the view of both my colleagues
/ (Messrs. Wise and Coles) | regard the tobacco
interests OF the country suffering under the weight
Of most wanton and intolerable oppression at the
hands of Nations whose productions receive the
most liberal terms. How monopoly and excessive du-
y in foreign countries beneficial to that interest is
what have not been able to discover. From the first
formation Of our Government the present time our
nj has IN etril fff HE rnan
and reduce this imposition upon our tobacco trade in
foreign countries-and yet we gravey told that all
this exertion has been directed to effect object which
would be runous to the tobacco growing interest II
is not my purpose to enter into discussion of this
question at this time. confess that my information
is limited to decide with accuracy and to act at this
time with due regard to the great interest involved, !
shall hold my mind open to the conviction of truth, and
trust that if shall be called act upon this ques
ton shall be able do with wisdom and prudence
My colleague, (Mr. Coes,) seems to be sensible OF
the great oppression under which the tobacco trade la
bors in England, France and other European powers,
and that there ought be redress but he oppo
sed TO vailng duties because he, "that
would be legislang for France and England" forget
ting that if the argument be true il cuts both ways and
proves that in the monopoly and the imposition OF du-
ties by France and England upon American tobacco,
Franoe ard England leeislang for the United
States. Because if the imposition Of duties upon for
egn productions in our own ports be eglslating for
those foreign countries, then by the process of
reasoning the proofs conclusive that the imposition Of
duties upon American productions in foreign ports,
amounts TO legislation for by the powers imposing
them. That there should be divirsty OF opinion
to the propriey of exercising the power
is be wondered at but that there should be any
doubt to the erisence of the power to marvel
lous. The countervang power is the right arm of
national defence in matters of Commerce and the Gov
eminent, that is without II must prosecute its Com
merce entirely at the mercy of other Powers do not
say that would be proper to exercise this power
in reference the tobacco trade but will say that If
W. arpe To
successful remedy. distinguish between counter
valing duty and for purposes of protection pro-
tectipe duty is always imposed upon some foreign
production manufacture TO enable the domestic
article of like character TO compete with II in
our own markets; the connferraiing duty is always
directed to such foreign production Az will best
dispose the foreign Government to do justice TO our
own productions, and conduct intercourse with
them upon terms of reciprocity. The countervaIling
duty is intended to operate abroad-the protective at
home. The countervang system is harsh one,
and should be managed with great caution prudence
and discretion-never rashy, That the countervail-
ing power exists in this Government is with me not
matter Of doubt but if needed authority to support
\ me in this position would refer TO that Of James
| Madison whose opinion on this subject was decided
and unequivoca ; also those of many OF his dis
tinguished compcers | must confess that | am not
little surprised at the remedy suggested by my friend,
i (Mr. Coles) He says he would still negotiate Well,
sir, we have been negotiating for sry years and
the success has been an increase of the burthens
My friend says he will not resort to countcrvaing du
ties IT. then, the negotiations renewed and il again
fails, what is the remedy According to the position
of my friend, Mr. Coes-submission. Now, Mr..
Chairman that this monopoly OF the tobacco trade
and heavy imposition Of burthens upon the article is
a source of very considerable to the Powers
ofEurope into which imported, matter of no doubt
When then, you send your negotiator to demonstrate
against these impositions, and demanding their
val what success do you think will attend his nego-
ations when he discoses the awful fact, that If the
negotiation fails--we submit This Mr.. Chairman,
4 il nh IN in yyh he al IN