Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-08-11
From the Baltimore American.
THE PROSPECT OF THE WINGS.


THE PROSPECT OF THE WINGS.
The distinctive features Of the Wing policy, as
| contrasted with those of the opposing party,
becoming so prominently marked, and are wi,hal
so well vindcated by their own merits, as exhib-
tied by the facts Of political experience for
some years past, that we may look forward TO the
approaching contest one likely TO involve clear
aud well defined issues, with the iarest prospects
of success the part Of the principles we add
| vocaie.
! On the subject Of the 1ar.f, tho ground occn-
pied by the Wings is that which .,e PU.y y. .,'e
eaS SH he ssee"oy Of the
free importation policy some years ago. The
question presented on this point is narrowed down
! to direct issue, and il is simply this; shall we
have Discriminating Tariff or notl In other
words, shall we leave the influence Of foreign le-
| gslation 10 act upon our interests in such ways
as the shrewd and selfish policy Of other govern
ments may be made 10 operate, or shall We un-
dcrtake to shelter our domestic interests from the
nsidious attempts Of foreign cupidiiy, and at the
same time so protect our own industry, so foster
our own resources, will best promote the in
crease OF national wealth, the improvement of the
gifts OF nature, and the firm establishment OF Ma
uona independence!
We State this question separately and apart
from the subject VI revenue. Because il is in it,
self distinct question; IL rests upon principles
fully capable of sustaining il; aud although a
discriminating Tariff and tariff for rcvenue may
be- tremendously united in one system, yet 1t
would he quite possible to form the latter 10
render II not only useless hut in many points pos
itivey hur:ful to the mos; Important of our do
nestle interests.
In maintaining their position i'm respect 10 the
Tariff the Wings have on their side the usual poll
Icy OF the Government before the of disas.
trous experiments; they have The facts pertaining
To the universal practice oi other nations whose
established policy is to protect their own inter-
esis; they have also the experience which this
country has passed through of late years since it
began To be the custom 10 tri6e with dear st
concerns Tor the sake of political coalitions. The
ground which they have taken cannot be abandon
ed. IL 1t is wrong To prefer our own country to
others; II 1t Is narrow feeling which prompts
us TO look TO American industry with especial So
ilctude and &c desire To i, encouragtd ifit is
matter OF reproach to labor Tor that state OF things
which will render this Republic independent,
which Will constitute our own resources the basis
OF the national prosperity, and make in point
oil TACT as we are In theory, people self-relying
and OF few sympathies with momarchical Europe
the Wings will not refuse to take the RESPONSE
b'iitles ot such imputaiions, fear for the
suits. VIII. the support of every native interest
they willing to be Identified. They take their
stand on the great American platform. and will
81 '-'Nse,- s--'g'' " is ~vino as
1t may, either in the shape of forccfa demonslra-
! lion or In the guse OF lnsdlous encrOachment.
| On the subject of Currency the Wings occupy
! position equally well defined. They are oppo-
sed 10 the impracicable system of metallic
currency, not only because it is impractcable b. t
also because II would be undesirable if it were
practicable. They insist upon it-and they app
peal TO experience, and analogy To confirm
thetrviews-tiat National institution other than
Sub-Iredsury is indispensably necessary to the
equalization of exchanges and to the uniformity
ot the circulation. The excuses of tie credit
| system, provoked and stimulated by the policy of
lack aJ, H., IL Il
door. They favor Banks as useful engines OF bu-
siness, but they desire to every possible pre-
caution and safeguard applied to their operations
! so as to render them sound and secure.
! Ihe Disrib"iion Of the Land Rerenue among
the States on the fair basis of a proportional al
iotment, is another item in the list of Wing mea-
sures. This is advocated from the conviction
that The measure itself is just and equal; that il is
called Tor by the exigences of the times; tha, the
income of the General Government should be- de-
rived from the duties imports, a source of rev.
enue which the States have Surrendered; and that
the obligation Of The National Government to ex-
tend assistance 10 the indebted States In every
lawful manner Is imperative and complete. The
measure Of distribution is insisted on also because
II is Important To have the question of the dispo
sal OF the Public lands settled to afr no
. longer hobby Tor aspiring politicians; and the
plan of distribution is the fairest that has been
Devised or that can be devised for that purpose so
lar rs the means OF judgment are given us.
We have thus alluded TO three prominent points
of Wing policy. if nothing Of a satisfactory ma
nre has yet been accomplished in reference to
either OF them let the fault rest with those whose
forts have been directed towards defeating every
aiteinp! at carrying cut Wing principles. With
out going farther into the subject at present. we
may add that the issue Of the next Pre- sidental
election will determine how far these measures
are 10 enter into the policy Of the Governments
The elevation of Henry Clay 10 the head of the
administration will rive assurance sucb as NAV
he relied on that direction will DO given 10 the
course OF the Government in consistent accord
ance with the true interests Of the country.