Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1842-08-30


Of the country, began to assume a seiiou
aspect. 1t soon became quite eViden
that the hopes under which the act Of 4t
September was passed, and which alon
justified il in the eyes either Of Congress
who imposed or Of the Executive who ap
proved the first of the two conditions jus
recited, were not destined 10 be fulfilled
Under the pressure. therefore, of the en-
barrasIments which had thus unexpected
ly srisen,it appeared TO me that the course
TO be pursued had been clearly marked
out for the Government by that act itself
The condition contemplated in il, as res
quiring suspension of its operation had
occurred. II became necessary, in the
opinions of all, to raise the rate of duties
upon imports above 20 percent, and with
a view both to provide available means to
meet present exigencies, and to lay the
foundation for a successful negotiation OF
a loan, felt it incumbent upon me TO
urge upon Congress TO raise the duties &C.
cordingly, imposing them in a spirit of a
wise discrimination, for the twO.fold OBJ
ject Of affordIng ample revenue for the
Government, and incidental protection to
the various branches Of domestic Industry
| also pressed, in the most emphatic but
respectful language | could employ, the
necessity Of making the land sales availa-
Bile to the Treasury as Ihe basis of public
credit. | did not think that could stand
excused, much less justified, before the
People of the United States, nor could
reconcile it to myself to recommend the
imposition Of additional taxes upon them,
without, at the same time, urging the EN-.
Ployment of all the Legitimate means of
the Government towards satisfying its
wants. These opinions were communica-
ted in advance of any defnitive action Of
Congress on the subject either of the tar
III or land sales, under high sense Of
public duty, and in compliance with an
express injunction of the Constitution
so that if a collision, extremely to be de-
precated, as such collisions always are,
has seemingly arisen between the Execu-
tive and Legislative branches of the Gov
ernment, it has assuredly not been owing
TO any capricious Interference, or to any
want ofa plain and frank decar alton of
opinion on the part of the former. Con-
gres differed in It's views with those OF
the Executive, as it had undoubtedly a
right TO do, and passed bill virtually for
time repeating the proviso of the act
of the 4th September, lS4i. The bill
was returned to the House in which it
originated, with my objections 10 its beN
coming law. With a view to prevent, if
possible, an open disagreement of opinion
on point so important, took occasion
10 declare that Regarded it as an iLdis-
pensible pre- requisite to an increase of
duties above 90 per cent, that the act Of
the 4th September should remain unre-
pealed in its provisions. My reasons for
that opinion were elaborately set forth in
the message which accompanied the re.
turn of the bill-which no Constitutional
majority appe ars TO have been found for
passing into law.
The bill which is now before me pro.
poses, in its 9th section, the total repeal
of one of the provisos in the act OF Sep.
tember, and while it increases the duties
above 20 per cent, directs an uncondI-
tionaI distribution of the land proceeds.
| am therefore subj ec;ed second time,
in the period Of few days, 10 the neces-
sity Of either giving my approval TO a
measure which. in my deliberate ludg-
ment, is in conflict with great public in
terests, or of returning it 10 the House
with my objections. With all my anxiety
for the passage Of law which would re-
pIenish an exhausted Treasury, and furn.
ish a sound and healthy encouragement;
to mechanical industry, cannot consent
TO do so at the sacrifice Of the peace and
harmony of the country, and the clearest
convictions Of public duty.
For some ofthe reasons which have
brought me to this conclusion, Irefer TO
nv previous Messages TO Congress, and
briefly subjoin the following:-
]. The bill unites two subjects, which,
so far from having any affinity 10 one ans
other, are wholly incongruous in their
characters. II is both a revenue and an
appropriation bill. 1t thus imposes on
the Executive, in the first place, the ne.
cessily Of either approving that which he
would reject, or rejecting that tDhich he
might otherwise approve. This is speN
cies Of constraint to which the Judgment Of
the Executive ought not, in my opinion,
to be subjected. But that is not my only
obiectionto tho act in its present FORM
The union of subjects wholly diSsimilar in
their characters in the same bill, ii il
grew into practice, would not fail TO lead
10 consequences destructive of all wise
aud conscientious legislation. Various
measures, each agreeable only to small
minority, might, BY being thus united, and
the more the greater chance of success
lead to the passing c. laws, Of which No
single provision could, if standing alonei
command a majority in its favor.
! 2,~Whils the Treasury is in state o.