The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-29
THE TARIFF.

THE TARIFF
The adju stment of the tariff of duties on i'm
ports, to the present condition and wants Of the
country, has Of late been subject of deep and
pervading interest. 1t has been leading theme
Of the public press in various parts of the Union,
and Congress at length has begun seriously to
turn its attention to it, as matter of urgent and
paramount importance. AS, unhappily, no great
question of national policy can be discussed on
its own merits merely, but is sure to be seized
on by designing politicians, and used as an in
srument of party strife, to excite sectional or
local jealousies for party ends; so this subject
in which the people of every portion of the coun-
try are interested, more or less deeply, has heen
mingled with the fierce and bitter political con-
aicts OF the past; and ha; been so often used
for mere purposes Of ambition by political aspi
rants, to secure the votes of those supposed to
be most jealous of the rights and interests in
volved in the discussion, on one side or the
other; that considerable portion Of the people,
in certain sections of the country, at length be-
came so sensitive the subj4ct-by the fire.
quent inhammatory appeals made to their inte~
rests, prejudices, and passions that they were
not only unfit, but incapable of giving the sub
ject that cool and dispassionate consideration
which il demands-connected as it is with the
harmony and the vital interests Of the country
and, as many believe, with even the perpetuity
of that Union, in which is our hope and oul
strength as a nation.
The time has, however, arrived w hen the con
sideraton and discussion of this subject can no
longer be put off; and although there are more
than sufficient indications that motives of perso-
nal ambition and of political expediency, will be
brought to bear upon it; and that strong efforts
will be made to use il as an ee nent ofparty Or
ganiZation In tn, great game of PreSident-ma-
king in which certain restless and ambitious po-
litical leaders are eager and impatient to engage
the country yet we think there is good reason to
hope that in Congress, and among influential men
ughout the Union, the conviction is spreading
that enough and more than enough has already
been sacrificed and suffered at the shrine OF
party, and that period of exertion is now
wanted from our legislators, as americans,
legislating for nation of vast extent, and OF
diversified pursuits, but yet bound together by
common interests and common destiny the
welfare and happiness Of every portion per-
fectly compatible with the greatest good OF
all others; and the neglect or oppression of
any great interest of part, inconsistent with
the true policy of the whole.
There is no part of our duty as chroniclers of
passing events which has given us so much pain
as to record, from week to week, the wasting OF
time and the rolling up of claims upon an ex-
hausted Treasury, for debates, not only fruitless
and i-timed, but calculated TO sap the founda
lions Of our Union and to destroy those nsttu-
tions which it is the sworn duty of Congress to
defend and preserve. The integrity of this
Union should be viewed by every patriot as a
matter of course, and, like the chastity of viz
tuous woman, above suspicion, doubt, contro-
versy, or the necessity for vindication-to sub
NIT to which even must sully its purity. We
have trembed, therefore, to see-while the signs
OF the times are full of impending danger to our
5oreign and domestic relations and interests-so
much precious time, worse than wasted in dis
cussions which, under any circumstances, are
fraught with evil, and only evil; and rejoice
that at length, disposition is evinced by mem
bers to listen to the voice of the country, which
IS calling loudly on its sense of duty, patriotism,
and self-respect, for prompt and eners etc action
upon the subjects of vital Importance which
have been so long suffered to slumber within the
halls OF Congress, while they absorb to pain
ful degree, the attention of the People without,
through the whole length and breadth of the
land.
AS the tariff question is one likely to be for
some time of paramount interest, and as we
deem it of the highest Importance that the sub
ject should be freely and frankly discussed; and
that just opinions should be disseminated in re-
gard TO it, we purpose to give our views as to
the course of policy demanded both by the pre-
sent condition and necessities of the country.
anil the rights and interests inseparably con
nected with, and dependant upon, the equitable
and Judicious settlement of this "vexed ques-
a'on'" and the arrangement of scale of duties on