The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-06-20
INDIGNATION AGAINST CONGRESS-

The feeling Of indignation entertained in all
sections of the country, and by all parties, at
the unpariotic conduct Of the present Congress,
has no precedent That this is righteous
Judgment, there can exist no doubt A single
fact proves it incontestably. The NEUTRAL
Press is unanimous in its condemnation. These
Journals are welded TO no party, and conse-
quently their verdict is JUST,
Why has Congress wasted screen months do
ing nothng2 Why has not the majority pass
ed a tariff bill long ago? The People wiH be
answered on this point. Why have their rep
resentatives not secured an ample revenue for
the country Was it because they resolped to
havethe land fund distributed among the States
at all hazards Suppose such resolution has
been adopted in caucus. Still, why have they
not passed the Tariff bill long ago Have they
a stronger vote in passing these different bills
in connection than separately Certainly not.
Then, why did they not pass the Tariff first,
secure that much, and then pass the other after
wards 2 What were they afraid of? What
object, what excuse can they have for perilling
the revenue, to obtain distribution They
will be called to strict account by the People.
Even the Wing presses in every direction con-
denim them Were they afraid that, if they
passed the Tariff bill early in the session, Gas
they should have done) they would not have
sufficient time TO pass the other 2 They must
remember that, although condemned, they are
not TO be executed till next summer. Then
~, 4.
last session Were they afraid Of deserters ?
The Wing press condemns them We take
the following from the New York Express a
Wing protection and distribution paper:
Unfortunately now in Washington the question
of distributing the proceeds of the public lands has be-
come mixed up with neither kindred nor a Cog
nate subject, the Tariff for example that there is
doubt whether the great principle of protection, direct
or incidental be not sacrificed by the association Dis
trlbuton and protection are put down identical
And mems minds are SO wrought up as to the import
OF the Identity there is great danger that the
whole Revenue bill involving the interests and prop
erly of millions OF laborers he contounded with the
remote question, whether the proceeds of the public
lands shall be distributed among the States or not.
That the settlement of the property, and of the
right of properly the public lands should be early
disposed Of no man can doubt We grant there is the
greatest danger lest the old States lose all their right,
title, and interest in these lands The condition of ma
ny of the States makes 1t matter of high importance
that these proceeds should go into their treasures
But, granting all this yet feel the policy of
jeoparding good revenue bill for the sake of these
proceeds for but two three years. Two three
years say, because this Congress cannot settle this
question beyond its own time Another Congress of
another set of men upsets all this Congress on this
matter does. This Congress, however can create a
good tariff, and probably permanent tariff. The
finances favor satisfactory and continuous settle.
ment of the hitherto pepexlng and vigorous ques-
ton, 1t so happens that the wants of the Treasury
coincide with the wants of protection. Another
Congress will hardly undo the tariff this Congress
may do, for full Treasury is necessary to whatever
party administers the Government.
The questions then presented TO statesmen and all
men are these.
If protection and distribution united, are impossi.
ble shall the first be sacrificed for the sake OF the
last
lfprotection is possible and probable shall dstribu
ton be SO nked with il in one bill, when both will
thus be made impossible
Is protection streng hened by its connection with
distribution i.# ,,.a
Is not distribution question as strong when apart,
as when connected vita an exlraneous matter}
In our eyes, a judicous tariff is of far imp ort-
ance to the welfare OF this country than the proceeds
of the public lands be able to live in and of our
selves and Independent of foreign nations graver
matter than TO have much per annum from the Fed
eral Government
1t is mistake too, we think as question of poll
cy thus Connect the distribution question with the
tariff for life or for death When the tax collectors
of the States 90 round collect from the farmers the
imposed to pay the interest of their State debts
will be the due tine to press with effect the question,
shall the public domain be thrown away or shall II
save US from these taxes Let US settle the tariff
now Distribution loses nothing but little delay,
particularly if the tariff killed to distribu
ton. 10 press distribution too forcbiy, when the
Federal Treasury is borrowing money, Is to weaken
the canse 1t gives arguments 10 our adversares II
keeps out of sight / e great question in the back
ground viz. the value of the public domain, and the
night and le ofthe States to the profits from it, and il
contounds it with the mumentary urgency of the Fed
eral Government for the time Icing