The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1842-11-17
From the Nashville Banner.
MIR. JEFFERSON AND A
TARIFF.

TARIFF.
A contemporary brings 10 our mini
the following additional endorsement
Of the Tariff policy By Mr.. Jefferson
which bad escaped our memory.
is an extract from his celebrated re
port Of Dec. IA, 1898, and is sufi
eiently explicit, we should think, {,
settle the position OF the author ia ID,
minds ofthe most skepticaI:
"But should any nation, contrary Il
our wishes, suppose it may better ENC
its advantage byscontinuing its system
ofProhibiIions. duties, and regulations,
It behOoUes Us 70 protect our citizens,
their commerce and Mapigatioa,bg COM
ter prohibitions, dulies and regulations
also. Free commerce and navigation
are not to be given in exchange for re-
slrictions and vexalions, nor are they
likely to produce a relaxation oflhem.
"Tbe following principles, being
founded in reciprocity, ap pear perfect
" Just, and to offer no cause Of COM
plai3t to any nation.
al. Where a nation imposes high
duties on our productions or prohib-
lis them altogether, il may be proper
for US to do the same by theirs FIRST,
burdening or excluding those product
ions, which they bring here in compe-
lilion with our own of the same kind /;
selecting next, such manufactures as
we take from them in greatest quantity,
and which, al the same time, we could
the soonest furnish to ourselves, or OBJ
tain from other countries imposing on
them duties, lighter at first, but heavier
and heavier afterwards, as other chan
nels Of supply open. Such duties haU-
ing the effect Of indirect encouragement
10 domestic manufactures Of the same
kind, may induce The manufacturer to
come himself into these States, where
cheaper subsistence, equal laws, and
vent Of bis wares, free of duty, may
ensure him the highest profits from his
skill and industry. And here it would
be in the power Of ti,e State Govern
ments TO cooperate essentially, by
opening the resources Of encourage
ment, which are under their control !;
extending them literally to artist in
those particular branches OF manuiac-
ture, for which their soil, climate, pop
ulatiou, and other circumstances, have
matured them and fosturing the pre-
cious efforts ard progress ofhousehold
manufacture, by some patronage, sui
ted to the nature Of its objects, guided
by the local information they possess,
and guarded against abuse by their
presence and attentions. The oppres-
sions on our agriculture, in foreign
ports, would thus be made the occasion
of relieving it from a dependence on
the eOunsels and conduct Of others,
and of promoting arts, manufactures
and population at home"
There what think our anti-tariff.
Jeferson-loving, manifesto Locofocos
of that Does il not look like Wing
gerry? And yet it is from the pen oil
Thomas Jefferson. Should the time
come, says Jefferson, when any nation
shall suppose it may better End its
advantage by continuing its system Of
prohibitions, duties and regulations, it
behooves US to protect our citizens,
their commerce and navigation, By
counter prohibitions, duties and regn-
lations." And has not that time come? |
Let facts tell. Our imports last year
amounted to 1927, 900, 600 ; on which
we imposed and collected duties am
ountlng in all to some fourteen millions
Of dollars or about sieyeR per cent, on
the aggregate. During the same year
our exports Of home products, mainly
agricultural, amountedt TO $4,000, 600;
on which foreign nations imposed du-
ties amounting to one hundred and hir-
ty-thres dollars, or at the rate Of 100
per cent on the total value ! Let the
agricultural classes think Of these facts.