Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-09-07
spREcH OF MA. SUMMERS,
OF VIRGINIA.
ON TIE REVENUE BILL.
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sAarSe and modify sTisfirs lars fsPasfEE dShss o.
fsPor,. and for other F~rpeses" Sef-g ~Hdsr eonsi
dsrafiOn en- C0msiiss II hs Who;s on the STATE .
rae UNion,
MIR SUMMERS addressed the Committee, ia
substance follows
MIR Cm.innAx: At an early period OF the
present session, question was made, nnc discussed
ios some days in the House, upon the reference OF
tia, portion of the Presidents annual message hav
ing relation TO discriminating duties and domestic
Manufactures. The question was, whether, IN the
general distribution Of the various recommendations
OF the message TO the appropriate committees, that
part should be referred to the Committee OF Ways
and Means or TO the Committee on Manufactures.
I voted for the reference OF the Committee on Ma
nnCac,u,es TWAS stated then, and has been
heated Nv some gentlemen IN the present debate,
that the votes given upon that occasion should DC
regarded test votes demonstrating the particular
opinions of each member upon the tatin question:
I wish first, to say in a very few words, how
lar the vote then given wasa test OF my own opin'
ions.
ed by the House, Is in the following words:
.R.ss,ved, That so much OF the Presidents Message
relates to discriminating duties anc domestic mann.e
Previous 10 eur action this, another resolution
had bren adopted in the following words:
"Resolred Thai much thereof che messase) a. TO
the duanees Of the Government except the plan
the Comnitee OF Ways and Means."
The particular plan of finance and currency, bet
ter known as the Exeheques Scheme, II will be re-
collected, was referred to n select committee.
Here, then, by the terms OF a special resolution
which VIC had already adopted, as we'll as by the
very nature and purpose OF that committee, the
Ways and Means, had been charged 10 enquire OF
the amount of revenue necessary 10 be raised for
the Government, and the mode OF procuring II.
The whole question Of revenue was lesitimate'y
before that committee. The amount being ascer
tanned, and taking as certain that the levyins OF
duties on imports would be the manner oil raising
il, the question how such duties could be best de
tibu,ed TO effect incidental protection TO the
geit interests Of the country, belonged, in my opin
ION, not appropriately to the Committee OF Ways
md Means nor exclusively TO the Committee on
Manufactures. | should have been much more gra-
tiled, had been practicable, to have submitted the
subjects OF discriminating duties ana lncuehtei pro
lection to the JOINT counsel OF the CommVee on
Manufactures and two ether committees OF the
House. to whom has been entrusted other great IN
OF the country, not inferior IN importance 10
the manufacturing interest, and with that, accord
lag to my view, equally concerned in the proper
settlement Of this question My friend from b al
Iimore (Nir Kennedy will remember that express
ed my opinion TO him. as chairman oil the Commit
tee on Commerce, that TO his committee belonged
IN part the consideration OF this question. In the
view take OF this subject, commerce, agriculture,
and manufactures all concerned in Its considera-
ton and TO the committees presiding over these re-
spec,ive interests, or TO as many OF them as prac
tcab.e, | would have referred that portion
OF the Presidents Message to which L have
alluded. suppose tina, the duty of investigating
the claims and condition OF Sour domestic manufac'
lures" about which the President had expressed
his soiicitude, pertained, with peculiar prornety,
to the Committee on Manufactures. ] did not in
tend, by my vote the reference, 10 Indicate any
particular sentiment as to the character oil ierih
bill which would or would not support
The bill now under consideration has been re
ported from the Committee of Ways and Means
Ii comes before us as revenue measure, and has
been so treated by the chairman OF that COMMITTEE
(Mr FIlImore) in the lucid exposition furnished by
him at the outset Of the discussion.
We must have money, from some source, to car
ry on the Government. No temporal good Is 10 be
enjoyed without cost Governments are expensive
blessings; but when rightly framed and properly
administered, they compensate for all the expendi-
which they involve in the protection and Sc.
curty which they afford 10 "iife, liberty, and the
pursuit OF happiness"
We differ from most nations of the earth in this
that while with them their rulers, whether so by
hereditary succession, usuTpation, or chance, draw
from the governed their substance without them
selves participating in the burden, with us no tax
can be levied upon the people which IS not a bur-
den common to those who impose IL, and those upon
whom it is imposed. It's, 10 truth, but the same
class. Our Government rests upon the basis Of
popular rights. The people themselves are the
fountain of honor, OF Office and Of power; they en-
act laws TO operate upon themselves, and assume
voluntarily all the Limitation and restraints which
forged by others, and bound round unwilling limbs
they constitute the volunteer price which free.
IN WHICH tnrH Uwu vUIrc IS heHro, their own Will
consulted and by which their interests defend
Al this moment, we present the sublime spectacle
al great represented nation, examining for itself
the condition OF its finances -devising the manner
o ensr gIng It's revenues adequate TO It's wants and
the maintenance OF its prosperity and honor. We
have no king or emperor to divide treasures, 70
dceimate our nocks or thank us for the grant OF
supplies. We furnish money for the Government,
not as thing distinct and separate from ourselves,
which we are bound 10 provide for by some mex
orable law sanctioned by awful penalties, but a
political machine constructed by ourselves TO carry
out our will and essential 10 convenience
and comfort.
IL "a the people themselves about 20 fix upon the
aggregate amount OF their contribution TO the com.
mon treasury, and 10 adjust the plan Of Payment and
expenditure, they themselves furnishing the fund,
in the mode to be provided. by their own consent,
and devoling il 10 their own common associated IN
teresi.
That there should be a diversity Of opinion
among the citizens OF this country, and correspond
ing diversity among their representatives in this hail.
TO the amount Of revenue desirable, and as TO the
manner OF raising it, ought not TO be subject Of
worder or surprise. We differ, and honestly diff
fer about the most material attributes and powers
of the Government under which We live The
plain written league and covenant which binds us
together and makes us one people, presents immune
rable questions which have never been settled, and
which perhaps will be- TO the satisfaction Of ALL
The gentleman from Massachusetts Mr. Adams)
remarked the other dny that Constitutional ques
tons are immortal" am not sure that ought
TO wish il otherwise lfit be true that "the price
OF liberty is eternal vigilance" then is the calm,
disturbed tranquility Of universal agreement in
political opinion rather TO DO avoided than sought
utter. Tranquility begots slumber, and political
slumber leads, too often, TO that death Of which it
is the prototype, or Is only broken 10y the toss OF
the rolling biliow, or the Of the lashing surge
with which Of anarchy, in its fury, salules the
ear Of the sleeper lam no admirer Of party storms
] prefer the gentle, refreshing breeze which keeps
the surface only in healthy, active motion; but
would rather witness occasionally the play Of the
forked lightning, and listen TO the deep toned thun
der, than breathe the impure, pesuent atmosphere
OF a Wnveless and siagnani pool. Differences oil
opinion belong TO the very nature and spirit Of
institutions. Freedom oil thought and freedom Of
speech guaranteed TO all; and it is this cence TO
express and, by argument, to maintain whatever
views we may cherish, that renders harmless poll
teal heresies. "Erfofs Of opinion may he safely toll
Grated 30 long reason is left free 10 combat Them"
Pardon, Mr. Chairman, this DEPRESSION. There
IRE some preliminary questions connected with the
measure now before Us, about witch IL would seem
there was very little contraiiety OF opinion.
That money must be had, is conceded by all
AS TO the mode OF raising il, there appears 10 he
almost little difference in the views Of those who
have expressed themselves on the subject