The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-03-29
THE TARIFF.

THE TARIFF
The ad ,ment of the tariff Of duties on inn
ports, TO the present condition and wants Of the
country, has of late been subject of deep and
pervading interest 1t has been leading theme
Of the public press in various parts of the Union.
and Congress at length has begun seriously to
turn its attention to it, as matter of urgent and
paramount Importance AS, unhapplly, no great
question Of national policy can be discussed on
its own merits merely, but is sure to be seized
on by designing politicians, and used as an in
srunent of party strife, TO excite sectional or
local jealouses for party ends; so this subject
IN which the people OF every portion Of the coun-
Try are interested, more or less deeply has heen
mingled with the fierce and bitter political con
illcts of the past and has been so often used
for mere purposes of ambition BY political aspi
rants, TO secure the votes of those supposed to
be most jealous Of the rights and interests in
volved in the discussion, on one side or the
others that considerable portion Of the people
IN Certain sections Of the country, at length be-
came SO sensitive on the subj tct-by he fire.
quent int1ammatory appeals made to their inte-
not only unfit, but incapable of giving the sub
ject that cool and dispa ssonate consideration
whichlt demands as it is with the
harmony and the vital interests of the country,
aud, as many believe with even the perpetuty
Of that Union, in which is our hope and our
strength as a nation.
The time has, however, arrived w hen the con-
sderaton and discussion Of this subject can no
longer be put off; and although there are more
than sufficient indications that motives Of perso-
nal ambition and ofpotical expediency, will be
brought to bear upon il; and that strong efforts
will be made to use il a an ele nent Of party or
ganlzatlon IN til great game Of President ma
king IN which certain restless and ambitious po-
lltlcal leaders are eager and impatient to engage
the country yet we think there is good rea son TO
hope that in Congress, and among influential men
throughout the Union, the conviction is spreading
that enough and more than enough has already
been sacrificed and suffered at the shrine Of
party, and that a period of exertion is now
wanted from our Legislators, as americans,
leglslating for a nation of vast extent, and of
diversified pursuits, but yet bound together by
common Interests and common destiny the
welfare and happiness Of every portion per-
iecty compatible with the greatest good of
all others; and the neglect or oppression Of
any great interest of part, inconsistent with
the true policy Of the whole
There is no part of our duty as chroniclers of
passing events which has given us so much pain
as to record, from week TO week, the wasting Of
time and the rolling up of claims upon an ex-
hausted Treasury, for debates, not only fruitless
and ill-timed, but calculated 10 sap the founda
tons of our Union and to destroy those nsttu-
tons which it is the sworn duty of Congress to
defend and preserve. The integrity Of this
Union should be viewed by every patriot as a
matter OF course, and, like the chastity of a vr-
'uous woman, above suspicion, doubt, contro-
VersY, or the necessity ior vindlcallon--,o sub
mt 10 which even must sully its purity. We
have trembed, therefore, to see-while the sion.
Of the times are full of impending danger to orr
foreign and domestic relations and interests
inuch precious time, worse than wasted in dis
cusslons which, under any circumstances. are
lfauSht with evil, and only evils and rejoice
''-'' ~ iShSiu, d disposition Is CV1nceu by mem
oers to listen to the voice of the country, which
scaling loudly on its sense of duty, patriotism
and set-respect, for prompt and eners etc action
upon the subjects Of vital importance which
have been so long suffered to slumber within the
halls of Congress, while they absorb, to a pain
iul degree, the attention Of the People leithom,
through the whole length and breadth Of the
land
As the tariff question is one likely to be for
some time OF paramount interest, and as we
deem 1t OF the highest Importance that the sub
Ject should be freely and frankly discussed; and
that just opinions should be disseminated in 70.
gard TO 1t, we purpose to give our views as 10
the course of policy demanded both by the nre-
sent condition and necessities of the countrv
an the rights and interests inseparablv con.
nected with, and dependant upon, the equitable
and Judlclous settlement of this "yeyed dues,
son, and the arrangement OF a scale of duties ON