Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1842-07-06
Veto Message.

~
TO the House Of Representatives.:
Ira,prn the bill which originated in the
House Of Representatives, entitled, "Au
nc. 10 extend Tor limited period the pre-
eenf laws for laying and collecting duties
on Imports" with .he following objections:
I, suspeads-in other words, abroga,e
for the time the provision Of the ACT uf 1883
commonly called the compromise act."
TIE only ground Oh which this departure
from ,hoeoiemn adjustment, of great and
agiiating question seems 10 have been re-
garded as expedien,, is the alleged necessl-
~ Of establishing, by legislative enact
menis, rules and regulations for assessing
the duties 10 be levied on imports. after
the 3Oth June, according to the home val
uation aud yet the bill expressly provides
that, ..if, Sefore The Is, Of August, there be
40 legislation upon The subjeci, The laws
iorlaying and collecting duties shall be the
same as though this act had not Been pas
sed." In other words, iha, the act Of 1888.
imperfect as il 10 considered, shall in that
case continue TO be, and TO be executed,
under such rules aud regulations rs previ-
ous statutes had prescribed, or had enn-
bled the Executive Department, TO provide
fnr that purpose, leaving the supposed
chasrc in the revenue laws such as it was
before.
j am certainly far from being disposed
10 deny that additional legislation upon The
subject, is very desirable; on the contrary
the necessity as well as difficulties, of es.
tablishing uniformity in the appraismen,s
to be made 10 conformity with the true in-
ienlion ofthat act, was brough, TO the no.
tiee Of Congress In my message 10 Con-
gress at The opening Of its present sessioa.
But however sensible may be of the en-
barrasments 10 which the Executive, in the
absence Of all aid from The superior wis.,
dom OF The Legislature, will be liable. in
the enforcepeni Of The existing laws, ]
have not, with the sincerest wish 10 ac-
cuiescc in It's expressed will. been able to-
,anrslade myself thai rle cxigency Of the
occasion 10 90 gscat rs 10 justify me in sign.
ing the bill IN question, with my present
views Of its character and effects. The
existing laws, as ] am advised. are suifi-
cient 10 authorize aud enable the collec.
ting officers. undeF f6e directions Of The
Secretary OF the Treasury, TO levy The du-
ties impased by the act Of 1883.
That act was passed uns!er peculiar cir
cums,apces, to which it is not necessar,
that I should do more than barely alludc.--
What may be. in theory, its character. l
have always regarded il as impar,ing the
highest moral obligation. Ii has now ex-
isled for nine years, unchanged in any cs
seniiai psriicn!ar, with as generally ac-
cuiesce. .,if 10 believed, Of the whole coun-
,ry, az that country has ever manifested for
any Of her wisely established institutions.
Il has insured TO il the repose, which al.
ways flows from timely, wise. and noder-
ate counsels--a repose the more striking,
because Of the long aud angry agilations
which preceded it This salulary law
proclaims, in express terms, the principle
which while il led TO the abandonment OF a
scheme OF indirect taxation founded On q
false basis, and pushed 10 dangerous ex-
cess, ius,ifies any enlargement of duties
thai may be called for by the real exigen-
cies of the public service. Il provides
ssthat duties shall be laid for the purpose Of
raising such revenue as may be necessary
10 an economical administration ofthe Gov
esnmen,.n Ii is therefore in The power of
: Congress CLAY duties as high as its discre-
,ion may dictate, for the necessary uses Of
,be Government, without Infringing upon
the objects ofihs act of 1888. do not
doub, ilat the exigenciss of the Govern.
meal do require an increase of :he tariff of
duties above 20 per cent; and / as liule
doubt tha. Congress may above as well as
below that rate, so discriminate as 10 give
incidental protectian to manufacturing in.
dustYy, thus 10 make the burdens which il
is compelled 10 impose upon the people,
for the purpose OF Government, productive
5cfa double bene6i.
This, most OF The reasonable opponent:
of protective daties seem willingly to cou.
ccde; and il we may judge frem the man
ifestations Of public opinion in all quarters,
This is all ibar tho manufacturing interests
really require. lam happy in tie persna'
sion ,ha, this double object can be most
easily and eiieciually accomplished. a, the
present junciure, wiibou, auy departure
from the spirit aad principle of the statue
in question.
The manufacturing classes have now an
appQrilsaity, which may never occur again.
al pei iiaaleuily identifying their interests
with Itsas cf sAe whele country, and max.
iug them. 81 tise highest sense ofihe term,
a national ecneerH. rbe lnomen, is propi.
siaus to the iatersessDs tEse whole country,
Id sl,e introduction of harmony among all
sts parts and all lis several interests. Tho
same sase oil. imposts, and no more, as will
.ssost surely ss.establist she pablic credit,
syi!l secure 70 tho manufacturer all The
projection he oaght 10 desire, wilherery
I,rospecs Of permsnence and stability which
the hearty acquicscence efihe whole cenn.
Inv, on d Reasonable system, ciln hold oui
sp him.
Hut Of This unisafsal aequiesseuce. and
@ and e9nfdence, and the many
X sEeIss tbat will ecfsRinly fesnll