The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-04-05
THE TARIFF.

In our preliminary remarks, the other day, we
stated that in the familiar essays which we de-
signed to lay before our readers on this import
ant and most interesting subject we should aim
less at the support of any popular theory, than
to arouse and enforce the necessity of nation
dl-an American sprit-as distinguished from,
and opposed to, those sectional jeaousies and par
tialities, which are too apt to circumscrlbe our
patriotism within narrower limits than those Of
our widespread and glorious Union. 1t is this
extended patriotism, after all, which IN our sys-
tenn OF Government is, like gravitation in that
Of the Universe-the great centripetal force
which must render permanent and perfect its
design, and enable it to perform its bene6cent
functions upon all the great interests and the va
rious districts and divisions of our common coun-
try; and though centrifugal forces exist, and
sometimes threaten by their accelerated mo-
ton, to carry off portions of the system from
their true orbits, yet if the controlling power to
which we have alluded, be suffered to have its
natural play, it will restore healthy action, by
bringing back the cratic members to their
true places in the system. embarrassing its
influence for the protection of the rights and IN
terests of each-effect its great purpose, the
common good of all.
In legislating on the subject of Tariff, the
American spirit of which we speak, will not
seek to cav and split hairs in the application Of
theories, or attempt to force upon free, ener-
getic, and enterprising People, systems fit only
for the oppressed communities of the old world,
in which intense labor is rewarded by mere
scanty subsistence, and where the unhappy sons
and daughters of toll often sue in vain for this
miserable boon, but will rather seek in appor-
tioning the duties necessary for revenue, to
grant such incidental protection TO the industry
of the country as will ensure-so far as it can
be done in this way-a reasonable reward for
their labor to that numerous and important class
of our fellow citizens, the mechanics and manu-
facturers.
Of the importance of this class numerically,
not only as aiding to swell the population of our
country, and as consumers of its agricultural
enthusiastically materially sustaining that
great national interest-but as an element OF
power, political and physical, some idea may be
formed by glance at the doings of a conven-
ton recently held in the city Of Boston, "of ma
nufacturers, dealers, and operatives engaged in
the boot, shoe, and leather business in Massa
chusetts."
1t appears that statistical facts were brought
before the convention showing that several years
ago-since which the business had materially
increased-the number of persons directly en-
gagged in this business, IN the various branches
enumerated, in Massachusetts alone, was above
10000, and the amount of products over $lS,
OOO, OOO-more than two-thirds of this amount
consisting in labor.
When it is considered that one half of oul
foreign, and nearly all our coasting trade is
dependent on manufactures that all the hides