The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-03-01

| ieSiSlaIlon OF tniS GOVeInment, Pf"PoSe
how steadily and uniformly il has continued 20
be The policy of the country. This shall do
principally 5y reference to the message oil the
7 successive Presidents, as furnishing, from time
, 10 time, summary exposition not only OF their
own, but of the sentiment Of the country on this
, subject.
After having seen that the act Of the 4th Of
July, 1879, was approved by PRESIDENT
WASHINGTON, it will not surprise Us TO find
him recognising the protecting policy in his first
annual address To Congress, Of he sih of January,
1890.
"The saefiy and interest of The people" said
he, in that address, 'Tequire that they should
promote such manufactures as tend 10 render
them i1depended of others for essential psrticu-
larry :or military supplies"
Wasbington's practical mind looked to the
policy of advancing agriculture, commerce, and
manufactures as essential 10 the maintenance OF
our independence. Congress expressed its CON-
currence with this sentiment by ordering, on the
| 18th o. January, 1890.
"Thar ii be referred to the Secretary Of he
Treasury, to Iopose and report TO this House q
proper plan OF plans, conformably TO tie recon-
mendation Of the President in his speech to both
Houses Of Congress, for the encouragement and
promotion of such manufactures as will tend 10
render the United States independent of other
nations for essential, particularly for military
supplies" 80
| This reference drew from tie Secretary OF the
Treasury The able and unanswersble vindIcatl"n
of the protecting policy imbodied IN his celeora-
| ted report, communicated 10 Congress on the
! 5lh of December, 1871. The following from us
! Introductory paragraph, presents summary OF
the grounds on which he rested that vindica-
ton:
THE embarra ssmenis which have obstructed
the progress Of our external trade have led 10
serious reflections on the necessity oil enlarging
the sphere oil our domestic commerce. The re-
slrctye reGu atoms which, 10 foreign markets,
ahridge the vent for the increasing surplus nt our
agi, ultural produce, serve 10 beget an ernest de-
sire that more extensive demand for that sur
plus NAV be created at home and the complete
success which has rewarded manufacturing en-
terprlse in some valuable branches, conspiring
with the promising symptoms which attend
some less mature essays in others, Justify hope
that the obstacles TO the growth of this species Of
industry are less formidable than they were APP
pretended to be, and that it may not be difficult
TO fnd, in its furthel extension, full indemni-
fcation for any external ,disadvantages'w are
or may be experienced, as well as an accession
ofresources favor Bile 10 national independence
and saftty."
The pulley Of protecting manufactures havin.
been thus established the House Of Representa-
tives, in the year 1885, instituted the Committee
of Commerce and Manufactures, which was con-
Iinued as standing commi tee Of the House I'M
I'll the yeai 1919 when the duties connected with
the subject of manufactures, having, in the pro-
gress Of the protecting policy, become greatly
enlarged, were severed from those appertaining
TO commerce, and committed to the Committee
Of Manufactures, Which has ever since continued
to be one OF the standing committees Of The
House.
But TO proceed with the Executive addresses
Passing over the Incidental recognition Of the
protecting policy in the intermediate addresses of
President WASHINGTON, we come 10 the decided
and earnest recommendation of continuance Of
the policy in his last ad lress of the 7th OF Dec
1896, in which he says:
| Congress have repeatedly, and not without
success, directed their attention 10 the encourage
n,ent Of manufactures. The object is Of too much
consequence not 10 ensure continuance of their
efforts IN every way which shall appear eligi-
ble"
Thus did this great man, in his last communi-
| cation to Congress, refer with evident gratiica
| ton TO the encourag enient which Congress had
repeatedly and successfully given 10 msnufac-
lures, and urge its continued patronage and sup
port.
| We all revere the name of Washington, mol
merely for his greatness in the field, but for his
profound, practical wisdom as a statesman. His
opinions need no commentator Of mine. II
should be enough to announce them. TO ensure
/ for them the most respectful consideration.
may well ask Virginians, who are so justly proud
OF his great name, Ia review their opinions upon
the cons.tutionaiIy and expediency of tariff
/ for protection, when they find them conflicting
with The deliberately formed and repeatedly ex-
pressed opinions of their beloved WASHINGTON.
! NV next reference is TO PRESIDENT JEFF
FERSON. Being still in the region OF VIginia
authority. hope to receive the attention Of gen.
temen from that State. If may not venture
TO urge them TO listen to any thing can say on
| fh I I frus mfr
crave their attention when JEFFERSON speaks.
! In his second annual message, Of the 18th Of De-
cember, 1902, he says:
"To cultivate peace and maintain commerce
and navigation in all their lawful enterprises to
fosrei fisheries nurseries Of nav CATION, and
for the nurture Of man, and project the manafac
lures adapted to cur circumstances; 10 preserve
the faith Of the nation By an exact discharge of
its debts and contracts, expend the public money
with the same care and economy we would prac.
tice with our own, and impose on our citizens no
unnecessary burdens to keep in all things With
in the pale Of our constitutional powers, and
cherish the federal Union as the only rock of
safety these, fellow-ctizens, the landmarks
by which we are 10 guide ourselves in all our
proceedings. BY continuing to make these the
rule ct our action, we shall endear 10 our country
men the true principles Of their Constitution, and
promote an union of sentiment and Of action
equally suspicious, to their happiness and safe
y."
Let me ask the attention Of the House mo-
ment TO this important passage. Here are
certain great leading objects 10 which the
Presidcnl calls the attention of Congress, as TO
landmarks" which we're 10 guide Them ana
the Executive in The discharge OF their duties. |
And what were these landmarks o cultivate
peace 10 maintain commerce and naVigat,ohi
10 foster the fisheries I; 10 protect manntdc-
lures; to preserve the national faith to prac-
tise economy; TO respect the Constitution 20
cherish the federal Union.