The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-03-11


One other objection This investigation, if in
s,ituled, should be by joint commission OF both
Houses We are joint in action. Dependent up
on each other in tho final passage of laws The
information il us necessary for the Senate rs our
selves. IL is not my purpose TO dean the House
longer with arguments against this resolution. !
have already said more than was my intention at IL
sing but no, less than believe the subject demands
| have attempted 10 show with what success the
House will deCde) that an impartial and instruct
i've report really usefuas guide to our legislation.
cannot follow the deliberations and searchinss of
ihis committee. That |, Is Gne sided, and has pre-
Judged the case npon which it desires to act the
umpire. That there is mol time, were it without
these objections.
Mr. Speaker, if was to fo''ow the example Of
some learned gentlemen, members Of this House,
I would now proceed and discuss the merits of the
tariff question But believing such deviation from
order is " better in the breach than the Ohser-
vance," l shall withhold. AT the proper time,
when that great question is legilimately before us,
] hope to be allowed 10 give my views Then
shall attempt its discussion in every variety of its
multiplicity of phases In advance, beg leave to
give notice. that when bill is reported shall TO
the extent Of my ability, impress upon the House
the following points:
lst Special laws, granting exclusive privileges,
or encouragement to particular classes or profess
ions, are unequal, and consequently unjust, and in
violation of the genius Of our institutions, and OF
tho Constitution. A protective tariff is Of this
class.
Cd. Protective duties are high duties laid upon
foreign products, whether manufactured Orraw,
10 prevent their importation at prices less than the
same product, of our own country, and must, to be
eAeotual, be mostly prohbliory. Now, as the lnl-
poste system oftayation was originally adopted TO
raise revenue to defray national expenditures. and
as n high tariff is an abolition of revenue, some
other mode of taxation must be devised. What
shall the mode be-
3D.. But il IL tariff for protection was consistent
with tariff for revenue, and both would follow the
same regulation of imports, yet would it be sui
cidal to commerce. For ifil is true that decreas-
ed impora,ions, by the operation Of an increased
duty, will pay the same revenue, yet commerce
suffers: additionally from the fact, that the eXclu-
ded nations would seek other buyers, and ofcourse
other markets for purchases
4th. high duty Is tax upon the consumer to
the amount ofduy paid upon the foreign article and
whilst its increases the price of the home made ar
tice TO that of the foreign, yet in the former in
stance Uhe home made) the increased price goes
into the pockets of manufacturers, and not into Ike
Treasury; therefore, il the object ofprolecon was
fully attained Of excluding the competition of for
cign commodity, and supplying its place solely with
home made, the seventeen millions OF consumers
would be extra taxed, over and above the neces-
sry expenses Of Government, for the benefit of
the less than eight hundred thousand engaged in
manufacturers aud trades
9th, Projection is injurious TO manufactures 1t
restricts ts market to home consumption, for other
nations will retaline the policy of exclusion, and
if they do not, enhance price Ofour manufactures
would raise vigorous, specializing competition at
home, which would destroy The present progressive
prosperity by inducing to enter The business, men
without principle or fortune,
9th. Commerce il the greatest protection to
manufactures, and high duties are destructive of
commerce. For high duties discourage lmpora-
tons, induce other nations to turn manufacturing
which before were content to purchase by exchange
Of raw materials: encourages smugglers and other
evasions Of the revenue law; causes similar res
trictlons upon our productions of the soil, and on
erous port charges and yeSalloas naralme resu la
tons
7lh The protective policy is hostile to the pros
pcri,y and good condition of the aborng manu-
flcturer. It is in an extended commerce, which
coequally extends the field Of labor, Il free, I'M
tranrneled interchange of commodity with the
whole universe, and the entire absence of all leg
isaiive interference or bounlies, that labor will find
It's best reward, and industry its best protection.
9Th. The spirit ollhe age is tending toward free
trade. The nations Of Europe have recently be-
come anxious in1nlrers into us political and social
advantages The general assimilation of customs
regulation, the NATURAL dependence of an upfe,tercd
intercourse, the beautiful and harmonious working
Of system beyond the control OF ambition or ava
rice, would in time bind mankind in bonds Of
"amity, good will, and peace" driving war and