, 1842-12-24

any subject in regard to which mode
ration, connected with a wise deter
nination, is more necessary than IN
the imposition Of duties on imports.
Whether reference be had TO reve-
nue., the primary object in the impo-
sition Of taxes. or to the incidents
which necessarily flow from their I'M
position, this is entirely true. Ex-
travagant duties defeat their end and
object, not only by exciting in the
public mind an hostility TO the manu-
featuring interests. but by inducing a
system of smuggling on an extensive
scale, and the practice of every man
ner of fraud upon the revenue, which
the utmost vigilance Of Government
cannot e~ffectually suppress. An OPP
posite course of policy would be al
tended by results essentially differ
ent, of which every interests of So
ciety, and none more than those Of
the manufacturer, would reap impor.
tant advantages. Among The most
striking of its benefits would be thai
derived from the general a~cquiescence
Of the country in its support. and the
consequent perrnanency and inabill-
tv which would be given to all the
operations of industry. 1t cannot
be too often repeated. that no sys-
tenn of legislation can be wise which
Is fiuctuating and uncert ain. No in.
teresl can thrive under it. The pru.
dent capitalist will never adventure
his capital in manufacturing establish
ments, or in any other leading pursuit
of life, if there exists 4 state of I'M
certainty as to whether the Govern
ment will repeal tomorrow what it
has enacted TO day. Fitful profits:
however Ugh. if threatened with a
ruinous reduction by a vacilla,ing
policy on the part Of Government.
will scarcely tempt him to trust the
money which he has acquired by a
life Of labor, upon the uncertain ad-
venture. /. therefore. in the spirit
OF cancellation. and influenced by no
other desire than to rescue the great
interests of the country from the vor-
tex of political contention, and in the
discharge of the high md solemn du-
ties Ell the place which now occu-
pv, rec mmend moderate duties I'M
posed with n wise discrimination as
10 their several objects, us being not
only most likely IL be durable, but
most advat t,geous 10 every interest
of society.
The report OF the Secretary Of the
War Department exhibits a very iull
and satisfactory account OF the vari-
Gus and important interests commit.
ted to the charge Of that officer. 1t
is particularly gratifying 10 find that
the expenditures for The military SER
vice are greatly reduced in amount
that i strict system OF economy has
been introduced into the service, and
the abuses of past years greatly re.
formed. The Notifications on u
maritime frontier have been prosecu.
ted with much vigor, and at many
points Il d~elences are in u very
considerable state of forwardness.-
The suggestions in reference 10 the
establishment of means of communi-
cation with our territories on the Pa.
cific, and TO The surveys so essential
to a knowledge Of the of
the intermediate country, are entitled
10 the most favorable consideration.
While | would propose nothing ill.,
consistent with friendly negotiations
TO settle The extent Of our claims in
that region, yet Il prudent forecast
points out the necessity of such mea-
sures as may enable. US TO maintain
our rights. The arrangements made
for preserving our neutral relations
on the boundary between us and
Texas. and keeping in check the In
dlans in that quarter, will be main.
tanned so long as circumstances may
require.
For several years angry conten-
tons have grown out Of The DISPOSE.
ton directed by law TO lie made Of
the mineral lands held by the Govern.
mcnt in several of the States. The
Government is constituted the land.
lord, and the citizens of the States
wherein lie the lands, are its tenants.
The relations is an unwise one, and
it would be much more conducive of
the public interest that n sale Of the
lands should be made than that thew
should remain in their present condi-
ton. The supply Of the ore would
be o obundantly and certainly
furnished when 10 be drawn from the
enterprise and the industry of the
proprietor, than under the present
system.
H.