Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-04-30
CoMMuNICArIoNs.
CoNSTlIUTIoNALITY OF A PRoIEc.
TIVE TARlFF-NO. III.

| wth my last article closed the labours Of the
first Congress. From the facts We have presented.
Il viii I've seen that the Government. IN all its de-
plrtments. recognized Protective Tariff Wash
ington, 10y las htst annual Address, and lay athXns
his name 70 the first Tariff oct. the Senate, by
spondin. tn that address and by passing the hill
ard the House 10y the same response and bill
| and also 10y their recorded debates, commit them
selves to this doctrine. Thus NC have tho Const-
tuition itself aud cotemporaneous construction given
under the most favorable circumstances, sustaining
| US IN our position. In ordinary cases, VIC might
stop here but as the South. blind TO their own
| interest, oppose the eNpedency OF protective Ia
rid, and allege that this doctrine Is uneonst
tuuons we intend to show that the construction we
have given TO the constitution, not only m accor
dance with eotemporaneous construction; but that
tins construction has been acquesced in from that
dav TO this.
10 his annual Message in 1896, Gen. Warrington
says; "Congress hsve repeatedly, and not uiihof
success, directed their attention To the encourage
mcut OF manufactures. The object is Of too much
consequence. not TO ensure continuance vi their
efforts in every way which shall appear eligible"
Here - the most clear and direct recommendation
oil the protective system. He was so intent upon
this object, that he recommends to the government
TO enter upon the manufactures themselves "lf
the necessary article" says he, "shoulj, in this
mode, cost more in time OF peace, will not the
rity and independence thence arising form am
pie compensation Establishments of this sort,
commensurate only with the ca Is of the public SER
extended in proportion TO the exigencrs Of the CO.
vernment, and even. perhaps. he made TO yield a
surplus for the supply Of our citizens nj large,
to mitigate the prvltion Crom the Interruption Of
trade"
Such IS the language OF TIE immortal Washing
tor. lie commerds manufactures to the attention
Of Congress and reoices that Congress have repeat
cdly and successfully extended TO them the foster
ing care OF the government Nay, he was 50 I'M
pressed With the importance of manufactures 10 the
nation, that we was willing to 90 much farther than
any friend ofproteciion desires at the present day
He was satisfied that II was wise and proper FOR
the government itself TO embark in species OF
manufactures, not only to supply its own wants,
hut "evcn 10 yield 4 surplus for the supply OF our
citizens at large, sos IN mitigate the prvations
from the interruption Of their trade"
| So important did the Father Of his Country re.
gard manufactures, that he mentions them IN his
Farewell Address, one OF the causes which should
bind the dferen; sections Of the country together.
The North" says he IN that last legacy, "in an
dnreStrained intercourse with the South, protected
by the equal laws ot a c'tnHon government, FIN IS
IN the productions OF the latter great additional re
sources Of maritime and commercial enterprise, and
precious materials OF manufacturing industry. The
South. IN the same intercourse beno 'tins by the
same agency otthe Moth, secs rs agriculture crow
and It's commerce expand. The Els'. in ike inter
course with the West, will, more and more find a
valuable vent for the commodities which it brings
FROM abroad or manufactures ai home. The Yves,
derives from the East, supplies REQUISITE 10 lis
growth and comfort"
Thus see that Gen. Washington was no, only
satisfied tha, protective Tariff was constitutional
but highly eIpedent. He regarded tie encourage
ment OF manufactures os one Of the great means o.
promoting the prosperity Of the Country, and oil
preserving the union OF the States.
The doctrine Of Protective Tar It, which was
repeatedly recommended by Gen. Washington
found an advocate equally warm in Mr. Jefferson
In his second annual Message. Dec. ~. 1902 Ee
emf loys this fore BILE language 'To cultivate peace
and to maintain commerce and navigation IN al their
lawful enterprises % foster fisheries as nurse
res of navigation and for the nurture of man; and
to PROTECT the MANUFACTURES adapted 10 our cir .
cumsinnces 10 preserve the faith of the nation by
an exact discharge Of its debts and contracts
these, fellow citizens, the landmarks 10y which
we are TO guide ourselves IN all our proceedings
BY continuing to make these the rule of our action
we shall endear 10 our countrymen the True PRtN.
cIPLEs or THE CONSTITUTION and promote an union
! OF sentiment and of action, equally auSpicious 10
their happiness and safety.''
In this remarkable passage, Jefferson classes pro
tecting manufactures, with the great duties OF cult
waiting peace and preserving the faith Of the nation
| These ne lays down as the landmarks, the rule OF
action, 10y which our counlrymen were 10 be endear-
ed tn the constitution, and their happiness and safe
| ~ promoted.
In 1906, It seems 10y the Message, that the reve-
nue. had increased to that degree that there would
soon be Fan accumulation OF money IN the Treasu-
ry;" and MIR Jefferson asks-"To what other Oh
lects shall trese SURPRISES be Appropriated and the
NhOe surplus OF inpOs'S, AFTER the discharge OF the
public debt and during those intervals when the
purposes Of war shall not call for theml Shall We
suppress the mPosts, and GIVE that advantage 10
foreign over domestic manufactures On a lew ar
ucles OF more genera and necessary use, the sup
pgesson IN due season VIII dOut LESS he right. tut
the great mass Of the articles on which impost Is
paid, fore gn luXuries. purchased by those only
who are rich enough to afford themselves the use Of
them. Their patriotism will certainly prefer is
continuance ard application 10 the grca. purposes Of
and
other objects OF public improvement, rs NAV lie
thought proper 10 add TO the constitutional enume.
ration Of federal powers"
Here It will be seen that MIR Jefferson was so
well satisfied with the policy OF protection, that
rather than TelinquIsh discriminating duties he
| would even call upon the States, so to amend the
Constitution as to enable Congress TO expend the
money for education or Other objects, not inc uded
in the present grants Of power.
In his las, annual Message in ls0s. he is, II pos
sibie still more explicit. lie says "The susrsn-
sion Of our foreign commerce, produced by the in
justice Of the helIgerent powers and the CONSEQUENT
losses and sacrifices OF our citizens, subjects Of
Just concern. The situation INTO which we have
been thus forced has mpelled US II ppIy portion
OF our industry and capital to internal manufactures
! and improvements. The extent Of this conversion
Is daily Increasing, and Little doubt remains that the
establishments formed, and forming will under the
auspices Of cheaper materials and subsistence, the
freedom Of labor from taI5tion with us, and of pro
tecting duties and prohibitions become permanent. -
| Mr. Jefferson, In this communication 10 Congress.
goes far any has ever gone in favor OF
protecting our manufacturing industry. lie seems
fully prepared 20 establish our manufactures on the
frmesi bnss-to render them permanent" and
this he would do 10y protecting duties and prohi.
btions"
We come now to MIR Madison, ",he Father OF
the Constitution" We have already seen the
course which he pursued IN the FIRST Congress, and
how his voice raised IN favor Of proiecton.-
We might from this, naturally infer that, as Piesi-
dent Of the United States, he would advocate the
same doctrine; and, consequently, We find, even in
his Inaugural Address, that he makes mention OF
manufacture as a subject requiring his care and
I attention. "TO cherish peace"-"io foster a spirit
Of ipdependenee"-"to hold The union Of the States
as the basis Of peace and happ.ness"-"to supper,
the Constitution"-,o promote manufacturer" he
places IN the same category, and regards ns equally
important.
But m his Message, delivered at the special ses-
his language Il will oe worthy az the same time
Of Their (Congrcss) just and provident care 10 make
such luther alterations IN the laws will more e..
pecai.y protect and fOs'r the several branches of
manufacture which have been recently instituted or
extended ny The .ludaDle eXerion OF our ritizensn
In his annual Message In 1910, Mir Madison ex.
presses fis reloongs at the national prosperity Of
the country, as follows:
ITO athrving agriculture, and the improvements
relating to II, Is added a highly interesting e1ten.
sion Of useful manufactures the com bined product
Of professional occupations and OF household indus
try. Such, indeed, IS the experience Of economy as
well as Of policy IN these substitutes Tor supplies,