Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-04-29
COMMUNICATIONS.


acquaintance, to communicate to you few thoughts
which have been suggested to my mind on the sub
Ject Of rotectire tariff; which, if you should con-
slider of sufficient importance Won nre Mt liberty ID
publish. know it is great subject for an iterats
farmer to write upon, but it is n subject in which
farmers have mutual interest with other classes of
society; and the time has come in my opinion, for
the aborng class of the community to pause and 70.
tect and learn possible the of our rational and
individual sufiorngs, and the course necessary be-
pursued to restore the nation TO the sunshine of pros
peny wehave enjoyed in former days.
Now, suppose need not stop to prove that the
national machinery is out ofgear in some way, and
that this is the main cause Of our sufferings. But
what has produced this disarrangement Was it an
lmperfection in the machinery ITSELF and did some-
thing break? Or why is the car of the Republic
thrashing away, threatening destruction both TO ITSELF
and the high hopes of the American people.
believe experience has uniformly shown that, in
marking out course for the future, is wise,o look
back either upon our own past experience that Of
others, and the results measures taken in similar
cases, that from these may draw some instruction.
Tor the present emergency. | have been astonished
while have looked Lack to the days of Washington,
Jefferson, Madison, Monroe Adams, and Jackson.
7and found all those noble and hgh-minded patriots
agreed on the subject of protective tariff. And my
establishment has been two-fod; first that so many
OF the worthless whose memory we venerate with all
the diversity Of opinions they possessed other sub
Jects, and the diversity of circumstances in which
they were placed, should, in this one principle Of
protection and revenue, unite in perfect harmony.
And again, have been yet more astonished to see
men of brilliant minds, men in high standing in the
political world, who, with all the light of past ex-
perlencc shining full upon them and in the face and
eyes OF the public prosperity under the old tariff arc
yet ready to stand up against it and say that it il
wrong. Nay, they are perverse and unbe,eyina
that the Woodworking Compromise Act with all
Its destructive eiiects-a decreasing revenue an empty
treasury, extra sessions of Congress and bankrupev
and distress among the people, has failed TO convince
them. y ialthless and pervcrse generation. And
yet sir these same men, who thus stand opposed to
the tariff policy have the hardhool and brass to pre-
aim themselves JcfcrSonian Democrats dyed in the
wool! If such men would but examine the subject
with candor and attention, and hold themselves open
to conviction, am sure they must be convinced II
the testimony of our former Presidents is not enough,
let them look at the facts and then Judge. would
not ask them to pin their faith the sleeve of another
but only to yield 10 their own personal convictions,
and be honest. ask, it not the Tariff that paid
the national debt; that enlarged borders by tho
purchase of extensive and fertile lands which we now
hold toncrease our wealth and power; that protected
our infant manufactures, our commerce, and agricul.
ture and led the nation on with rapid strides to an
eminent distinction among the kingdoms OF the earth
Yes, we were moving on in prosperity, like we'll
regulated train of cars on railroad propelled by the
powerful steam Of Protective Tariff until the fatal
moment when disappointed Calhoun turned all tho
powers of his inventive genius against the country BY
! throwing his whole State across the track, in ad.
vance of the train, which was moving with such ra-
pldty that concession must have zen fatal to tho
passengers. General CONSERVATION and dsmay was
depicted on every countenance. But at this import
ant crisis, when all was d!scord and confusion tho
cool and collected voice of son was heard above
the groans and signs of the dsheartencd crew. in &C.
cents mild and persuasive, yet firm anil bold, COM
handing the tract to be cleared, and that without
delay; but all in vain, and inevitable destruction
stared in the face, and there was no alternative en
but to run the fearful risk of attempting TO crush
sister Stale beneath the cars be thrown from off
the track or as last resort to let off the steam and
stop In pity TO sister State the sacrifice was made
AMI thus the Compromise Act sprung into existence
Inc question now is, shall cool Of, and stop for
ever, or fire up and 60 ahead! To these inqu iries
the public mind is turned-and well it NAV be. Now.
| think the case Is plain, and the decision easv
Prudence and experience say, raise the s,eam no, 50
! '''-' '''S',
give healthy action to the whole machine Let II.
have duty on wei selected articles of foreign inn
poTla'lon, that will raise revenue sufficient to mss,
the expenditures of Government, and operate az an
encouragement to home manufacture, and the object
Is accomplished. THIS would leave the proceed, from
the sales of the public lands to be divided among ths
States, to c expended in their discretion. "But.n
says one, "we have no right 10 violate the Com
promise Act and increase the Tariff; it would be
violation OF the national faith, and cannot be don, "
OF such an individual | would ask what is there in
the COMPROMISE Act so much more sacred than in
any other Act of the General Government that il
cannot be altered or repealed! Are the DEGREES Of
Congress like the laws OF the Modes and Persans.
that change not lfsuch is the case-ifw we are TO be-
bound by single vote of Congress- then is our in.
dependence gone for ever and we are lett like the
miserable fragments of an exploded seamcar. But
TINS Is not the facts Congress has right to devise
means to advance the prosperity of the nation; and
lre have yet right to petition Congress to easats for
the general good of the tchoie pcople. We have vet
I'm the northern States at east,) the freedom OF
speech and the press; and we will endeavor 10 use
these privileges 50 as TO promote the general good Of
the peope-and the whole people, So says
\ STOW FARMER