The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-07-31

McRoberts, Mouton, Nicholson, Pierce, Rives, Sc
vier Smith, of Connecticut Sturgeon, Tappan, Walk
sr, Williams, Woodbury., Wright, Young 23.
REMARKS OF Mr.. NISBET.
On the resolution proposing TO raise a Com
mittee for the purpose Of collecting and re-
porting facts and I'M formation IN relation to
The operation Of the impost laws.
HOUSE, OF REPRESENTATIVES, july 81, 1s41.
Mr. SPEAKER is to me matter of curiosity, to say
he least Of It, that the gentleman from Virginia Mr.
Wise) and the gentleman from South Carolina Mr..
Pickens) should be found in opposition to this resou
ion. Il is proposed by the Committee on Commerce
raise committee TO investigate the operation OF
impost laws, collate facts and suggest what If any
revision may he necessary. This is to meet the
ngency of the opening of the tariff question at the
next session of Congress. II ia strange to that
these gentlemen should be opposedto this movement.
As an anttarf man, support it; as Southern man,
am for il. My constituents are interested in this
matter quite much those of these gentlemen--a
great deal more than those Of the gentleman from Vr
gna. Il is their interest TO be informed They have
listened too long 10 the views Of visionary theorists
They have read the reports and Arguments of politi
Clans will say sir, they have been misled by the
absurd theories Of some Southern statesmen They
have had speculation enough; they want facts and de-
tails. They desire to know the working of the sys-
tenn. want light myself am not, as the gentle
man from South Carolina appears TO be, independent
of further illumination upon this subject Some ofthe
views of his own statesmen have had the effect ofde
fusion rather than enghtenment-the forty-bale theo
ry for example. We desire TO look at this matter So
berly-in the light VI facts. And, if we to meet
the tariff question again--I mean tariff for protec-
ton i i Is again 70 be forced upon u.s. and again to
agitae these Halls and the couniry-why, sir, let us
Of the South to the contest armed with accurate
knowledge, not alone Of principles but also Of facts.
And how are we TO get al facts Who shall furnish
them What better plan than TO create commits
sion under the solemn authority Of this House, charg
ed with the duty Of making the inquiry carefully and
laboriously3 A report by suitable committee, upon
the operations of all impost laws would be safe
for Southern principles Do we fear inquiry Will
not those principles Withstand investigation Such
planters, mechanics, and traders. Facts sir, in the
place Of speculation ought to he thrown broadcast over
the whole South They should be sent to the cot
tages and villages and towns of the South that the
people may Judge for themselves
In my State, sir, the day Of delusion, Of gullibty
about the tariff has passed; and our people are be-
ginning TO discriminate between imposts for revenue
and duties for protection Since have had seat in
this House, our friends from South Carolina have
done most Of the talking here in opposition to the
tariff. Whilst 60 fully with them against protec-
ton, do not approve Of their Understandable oppo-
sition TO any measure which relates to imposis.
cannot consent that my constituents shall be misled
by their ultraism. So far as can avail to prevent
il, they shall not be misled. The cry Of Tariff!
tariff! is raised upon measures for revenue. And,
sir unless prevent il, constituents may be in
duced to believe that are sustaining protection
when we are in fact only raising revenue for sus-
tanning the honor Of the country. The proposition
are now considering is similar to the plan adopted
in England. Parliament raised q committee of in
qury and placed at the head of it one of her most
able and practical statesmen, Mr.. Hume. The re-
port of that committee is opening the eyes of the
British public upon the subject Of free trade II has
done, and will do, more for Southern principles and
Southern interests than any thing that has occurred
in England. We propose to do likewise, and we
need not fear but with like results.
The gentleman from Virginia says that this is the
inception Of the tariff movementsihe nitiatory pro-
cess. He says that this is the fulflment Of pro-
phecy he made at the last session Of Congress The
gentleman, we'll recollect, did make speech at the
last session in which he assumed positions upon this
subject which, suppose, are the ground of his ac-
ton thought then the gentleman was wrong
He supposed then that there was an organized Whig
tariff party in this House He predicted hiph-tariif
am not conscious that there was then, orfs now,
such party. Ii there is il il not developed to nv
mind. That there tariff men here, is true; il Is
also true, in my opinion, that the New England man
ufacturers do not favor high tariffs But, admitting
that the gentleman Is right TO the existence of
high tariff party here is he right in his opinion that
this is their movement preparatory to the tariff for
protection which they will attempt hereafter IL this
apparent on the face Of the proposition Il occurs
TO me not. The inquiries 10 be made and the facts
collected are much for the benefit of the South as
the North II may have the effect Of preventing the
attempt to revise our entire tariff system; and if at
tempted 1t may result in reducing even the present
rates of protection. The Committee on Commerce
which reported this BILL is composed Of Southern as
well as Northern gentlemen and we are told by the
reporter OF this resolution that il met the unanimous
approval Of that committee. Our Northern friends
are more familiar with this subject practically than we
are. They live IN the region Of its operation. n
therefore infer that the raising of this COMMITTEES will;
rebound more TO our advantage than theirs Can i,
either reard or hasten revision Of the tariff Let ma
prepare tor the worst ready for any contingency
DC equipped for the contest, whenever il may come
Mr. Speaker, need not repeat my Opposition IN
protection. II the Wings from any quarter Of The
Union 60 for protection whilst am here 20 against
them shall always resist tariff for protection-re
sst II, ifthe House will pardon stale and somevbs
vulgar latinism, "pugnebus ct calculus" make NO
new compromises upon this subject and would saw
to Northern gentlemen, IL they do intend 10 urge
again policy obnoxious to the interests Of INV con-
stituents--
"Lochel, Lochiel, beware ofthe day
When the Lowland shall meet thee in battle arrav
Upon questions of revenue alone, trust we shall
act together as brothers. Here the lowlander and
the highlander can meet npon common ground n
terms and with feelings Of amty. -
Mr.. Speaker, at the last session of Congress. /
ayowed myself friendly to increase of duties upon
free articles, particularly articles of luxury until
revenue should be raised equal to the wants of AN
economical Administration. / occupy that position
now. l foresaw then that more money would be
needed. Now Il is not conjecture, but truth We
are in debt--n debt millions The income ia below
necessary expenditures, and viii range vet lower nm
der the provisions of the compromise act We have
passed bill to borrow twelve millions of dollars