Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-07-25
POLITICAL.
SPEECH OF HORACE EVERETT,
ON THE TARIFF.

NC IlOuSe DBl0R III COnllnlttee OF lne W0Oe,
ana having under consideration "the bill to pro-
vide revenue from imports, and to change and
modify existing laws imposing duties on imports
ana Tor other purpUses''-
Mr. EVERETT said he voted yesterday against
taking the bill out Of committee on Tuesday, I'M
der the apprehension that the whole time might
be taken up by n general discussions and that no
Time would he left Tor the consider alton of the
details of the bill, and especially of those relating
to the particular interests lie represented
II is Csaid Mr. T. very doubtful whether any
tariff bill will become law at this session yet
he hid not abandon the hope that the Executive
might yet sanction his Till, Notwithstanding any
premature expression Of opinion to the contrary.
do trust he will duly estimate the fearful conse-
qnences to the whole country, aud TO the Gov
erriiNn Itself, by standing between The will OF the
kelN esenatves o. the people aud the people
themselves, aud that too on the great question
oil revenue which Is peculiarly entrusted TO their
representatives. ! do hope and trust that when
the will of Congress shall lie second time man
liesed, he will on mere question of expediency
defer TO that will tIIa he will yield hasty opin-
ions in whatever form they may have been ex-
pressed, to the demands of the greut interests of
the country.
II such considerations shall not AVAIL there is
one lie must respect. II he is not inclined to de-
fer to the will Of Congress, he cannot disregard
the expressed will Of the people, now returning
upon him in tones that must he heard and obeyed
would call to his consideration the public senti-
mcnl, as expressed in the papers from every quar-
ter of the Union.
"a voice on the left. The President does not
see the papers.)
lfit be SO, it is the duty Of his friends to place
them before him. II they keep him in ignorance
OF the torrent OF Reproduction that is pouring in up
on the veto from every quarter, not from the
Wing press only, but from those presses which
have hitherto given him their support, they will
incur deep responsibility. | will not believe
ihat the Executive will ever be advised 10 brave
public sentiment thus strongly expressed
My confidence in the hope of the Executive
approval Of the bill will be strengthened or weak
ened by The answer shall receive from the gen.
tlemah from Massachusetts (Nr Cushiug) TO the
| question now put to him. From the position
he occupies, shall consider his answer as con-
tanning the opinion of the Executive. In the veto
message is the following expression: IL do not
doubt that The erigemcies ofhe Government DO re
! quire an increase of the tariff Of duties above 20
| per cent and / as lille doubt that Congress may,
as t0eli dboue as beolc that rate, discriminate as
TO gice protection 10 manufacturing indaStry.'-
| The question put is this is the President to be
| understood as affirming that under the ComprD.
mise Congress may lay duties over twenty per
cent aud nj the snnle time discriminate under
20 per cent? Or, to take the first article of the
Treasury bill as an example, is duty of 80 per
cent. on wool costing over eight cents, and duty
cents, consistent with the Compromise
MIR. Gushing replied that lie was not authoriz-
ed to say what the understanding of The Presi-
dent was, but if he spoke his own mind, he sho ud
reply in the Affirmative
Mr. f.. expressed great satisfaction at this reply
! ! .lpsider it, said Mr.. E as an abandonment OF
| one land the prncipal) of the grounds of he veto
How did the little tariff bill interfere with tic
compromise! 1t contained three lenths of lormei
| duties over twenty per cent. on some articles
while others were subject 10 less Than twenty pei
cent. Bu: this, rs the gentleman from Massachu
sets CONSTITUTES the veto message itself, was no vic
laton OF The compromise. In his opinion, Con
gress may lay duties on one article over 20 pei
cent. and on another under That rate, and so dis
criminafe as 10 fiue protection 10 manufacturing
industry" This consider an important con
cesslon us great point gnined. 1t moi only re
moves one ground OF II veto to the bill under con
sderallon, but II leaves us to discriminate al
large through tine Whole range of duties from the
highest TO the lowest, and that not merely ioi
revenue, but Tor protection.
rejoice 10 hear this construction Of the Com
promise. 1t must have been this construction
which produced almost an explosion of ruptur,
from the gentleman from South Coroiina (Ar
Holmes
Under this construction, do no, perceive VIVA
objection Northern men Gun make TO the Com
promise. They are now at liberty 10 al
duties in such manner the great interests of tn,
country require. But, sir, as an opponent OF lh'
compromise, had given it a very different con
slruction. The provisions that were to operat,
up TO the 30h June 1912, were-l. A descend
ing scale OF duties; 2. Certain articles were to b,
added 10 the free lisl 3. The power TO pass law,
for preventing frauds in the collection of tn,
revenue; and q, The power 10 ruse the dntie
on all articles which, by the act of July, 1882
were subject 10 Il less duty Than twenty per cent
but not to exceed thnt rate Such were TO be tn,
conditions OF the revenue up TO the Both June
1912, under the compromise
After that day the legislation of Congress il
regard TO the revenue was to be based on fou
leading principles: |, The Government was tc
be supported by revenue derived from duties
alone = The duties were to be paid in cash
3. They were 10 he assessed on the value at the
port where entered aud a. They were limited
to 30 per cent. al yHoren. My objections at the
time, and ever since, have been limited to the q
per cent. clause. II now appears that under th
construction now given, they were nnfounded
Under my former construction, no duties could bt
laid over 70 per cent under The compromise. |
an exigency should arise requiring higher duties
iw ould he an exigency not ccntempa ted by the
compromise, and therefore, not provided for
II would br a case beyond the compromise
And that all duties above 20 per cent hight b.
laid in such manner as Congress shall thinl
proper. Yet, sir it was one of my objections tina
no such exlgency could arise until the duties OIL
all articles, other than those enumerated in TIT
9th section, were brought up to twenty per cent
On such a construction were my objections 4
the compromise founded. But, sir as there ma!
be some who may not agree with the Executive
construction, and as he possibly may change hi
opinion, will say word in regard 10 the bind
ing force Of the compromise on Vermont and,
may add, Massachusetts, whose Representative
voted against it. As mere law we are boun'
by it, as the act of majority, and as law,
majority may repeal il; as compact merely, WI
had no authority from our constituents TO max
H. In fact, we have never in any manner assent
ed 10 it, For one, protested against il, with tn
declaration that, as compact, we were not, ant
would not be bound by it, refer to the debate
OF that day.
But should none of these things move the Pres
dent, may not entertain come faint hope OF
two thirds majority? very, very faint hope
confess. But, sir, will the administration part.
land there are now but two parties, the admins
tration party and the Wing partyl will the ad