The Yazoo Whig and political register. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1840-1842, 1841-04-16
no the People of NIfesfsainni.

To the People Of Mississippi
Considerations connected with the close o
the late Administration of the General Gov
Iefnment, and the induction into power of /
new one, justifes to my Judgment the pro
lprlety Of this communication.
The last session Of Congress- has passed
away without the adoption 81 any one ac
of much popular interest. Recent public
demonstrations have indicated a prevalen
lanxiety for change of measures in the ma
tlonal Legislature, and existing necessity, i
lis believed, superadds it's urgency TO the
popular voice, and demands this action speed
lily. In reference to several measures oil
emergencies, it is supposed, but mainly
connected with the public finances, the Pre-.
sident has issued his Proclamation conven.
ing congress on the last Monday in MAY
next. | propose to designate those measures
which will most probably engage the atten.
ton of congress at the called session, and
to tender few suggestions on each for
your reflection.
One of the first importance is revision
OF the revenue and tariff laws. Bv resort
ling to temporary expedients, this subject
might be deferred till the regular session.
But It's so intimately associated with other
measures which will doubtless be urged, that
do not think it should be separately con-
sidered of.
From SO much of public sentiment as |
have gathered from hearing this subject agi-
lated from time to time within the last two
Years, have great hope itmay be SO agitat-
led as that the cotton growing interest, which
us believed to be the most burdened by the
system shall be measurably reconciled.-
The people of the South have conceded
the constitutioRality and policy of tariff
for purposes of ordinary, legitimate, and
necessary revenue, 1t is protective tariff,
or tariff which shall raise surplus revenue,
against which we have waged opposition.
The compromise act las Familiarity called)
has now nearly run down 10 its fiscal mini
mum. From the general manifestation of
public sentiment at the South, the people
have looked to this minimum as approaching
such measure of justice towards them, as
they were content TO submit to without muir
muring; and, as indicating standard of
revenue resources, to which they were dis
posed to conform as the necessities of the
country should require: yielding nothing
more TO the protective principle, than the
Incidental results of necessary imposition
of duties within this rule 1t is not, per-
haps, expected by them, that all importations
are TO be taxed thus much, but that none of
them should be taxed more. That any con-
siderable spirit of harmony will obtain with
the protective tariff party in frank PROPOSE
tons to conform to this standard, do not
indulge myself to hope for. But do hope,
and have much reason to believe, that when
the aggregate sense Of congress is averaged
and graded down to the action of the ma
lorlty, they will compromise on this stand
ard, with no greater determinations within
the rule than new obtains, and with the in
change of home valuation and cash
duties. II | correctly understood Mr.. Cal
houn last winter year since, in more than
once adgerting to the subject in the Senate,
he indicated his satisfaction with the appli-
cation of these limits and principles to the
REIMBURSEMENT of this complex system. And
so far certainly, as have understood the
sentiments of the people Of Mississippi, with
reference to the minimum result of the CON-
promise act, have been led to suppose, if
our opponents could be brought to more
permanent compromise at this point. that we
should consider such terms to be quite ac-
ceptable, in the absence of all hope of bet
ter bargain. But if unhappily have over
rated the spirit of concession, which is look
ed to in the above contemplated result from
the manufacturing states: ii, rather than
moderate permanent system, they shall con-
tend by majorities, for exaggerated and OPP
pressive impositions for purposes of protec-
ton then, know not Of other recourse left
TO the southern minority, than to Join with
the opposition divisions Of interest most dis
for their cupidity, and defeat. if
possible the lily sought advantages of the
bill, in whatever parliamentary manner we
best may. A necessity much to be deplor-
ed, and which earnestly trust we may not
be constrained to resort to.
All, without distinction ofparty, admit the
necessity Of revision Of the tariff. and hut
few will question the propriety Of having 4
fixed resource for supplying d sufficient
revenue to meet ordinary economical en-
penditures, without farther continuing The
questionable expediency lat least ii time of
peacel Of issuing Treasury notes to supply
deficiencies. Ii my judgment, also. everv
consideration Of national security and ma
tional honor, will demand Of the new ad-
considerable expenditure for
the repairs and augmentation Of our neolec-
ted navy. The revenue, from duties last
year, was only about fourteen millions OIL