Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-03-09
VERMONT TELEGRAPH.
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1912.
From the Northern Light.
THE TAR IFF.
nv GERRIT SMITH.


anil that it should regulate the conduct
and intercourse OF nations, as well as of
Individuals.
The first question then to try the fit.
ness Of any national policy is. whether it
corresponds with The principles Of Christ
aoily. II it does not then-being wrong
n itself, s0d wrong Gb initio-it is 10 be
Dromptly and entirely abandoned. Its
SEEMING advantages, however great-its
promises of security and wealth and hap
oiuess, however flattering-can not JUST.
II the continuance Of policy which is
immoral. No good that may be expected
rom il, can justify the invasion Of funda-
mental morality. Government may in
crease lis revenue, and individuals their
riches BY the manufacture of alcoholic
drinks; but this is no reason why bust
ness 50 palpably immoral, should not be
condemned and abandoned. A similar
Plea may be made TO reconcile govern
nens and individuals 10 lotteries and 9TH
s forms of gambling: but in the light Of
true religion the plea is entirely inadmis-
sbe. lfthen we have but TO prove the
immortality of distillaiion and gambling,
10 order that all exposition ofthcir advan-
ages may be preciuded or rendered need
less why may we not arrest the usual
arguments for high or prohibi,ory tar
if by interposing the question Of its NOR
ahy9 That such tariff-or, in other
words, that The interdiction to exchange
he various productions of the earth or of
human ingenuity. finds no counlenance 10
Christian morality, is as plain as lis con-
tennation of gambling, or the promotion
drunkenness.
The diversity of climate, soil and pro-
bottoms, shows it to be law Of nature,
bat The Inhabitants of The various parts oil
he earth should supply each others
wants. 70 deny the Englishmau his
n.h to eat American bread, and the
aercan his right 10 wear English cloth,
shrefore, presump,ious and guilty
EDaIon OF this law: aud TO excuse this
notation as some nations do, on lhe
round that i is merely relaliatory, is to
psity the fdgrantIy immoral doctrine
lhll one ray DO wrong because another
dvss The fact, that the British Govern
neal has the wicked cruelty to say that
Is hungry subjects shall not feed on
american bread, is no good reason why
he American Government should rival
laG wickedn2ss, and forbid that lis sub
lecs shall be covered with British cloth.
The Epglishman can find no pleasure
encouraging the honest toll ofthe grain
srowers 0; America, let the American
Devertheless, rejoice to have English fab
lcS find market which remunerates tn
poor operatives for the long days ofwear,
abor which they have expended on them
Whether the Englishmen will or will nc
pciprocate such f:aternal love, still let ,h
American possess brothers. heart tc
wards The laboring poor of Britain an
every other land. ... ......
The doctrine of the advocates of r,
Srictive duties is, that government mu
promote the pecuniary and ecomcal ii
erests of its subjects. But the write
maintains, that it is for its subjects alon
Npromote these interests that govern
nenI is incapable of promoting them
aud that 10 minister protection 10 its su
Fcts 10 their pursuits is its only legitima
etlce. Government quits its proper sPher
GmpeTinently concerns ilselfwith the pc
PIES work, whenever it builds RAILROAD
'Od canals, or seeks 10 promote or restri
Ommerce by regulating the tariff and II
currency. But to this doctrine of ii
Ngh tariff men, interpreted in its ordinat
lnd selfish sense, we have the further OIL
Tton, that it is fraught with the abho
tO sentiment, that one nation may pu
@e lis own interests at the expense I
nose ofanother. This sentiment iustift
wal The poet deprecates, when he e:
'ams: -
Lands intersected by narrow firth
MMoaor each other. Mountains interposed
aske enc !aies Of nations, who had else
Ike kindred drops, been mingled into one"
olI the sentiment of Heaven is, tn
inns, nor mountains, nor oceans, shouI
suffered 10 constitute au impossible ba
Az . human sympathy; and that men {
-. ~ feal nations, even though as unlik
~ OIher as Jews and Samaritons, al
az towards each other the part Of
uaghoor." II is true, that so long &
wa. was the divine policy that the Jew
, sSulo Dc "a peculiar people" they we
~ Sssl'red to insulate themselves and ket
,s 4, u 'he.track ofthe worlds commerc
y. Intercourse: but that policy cease
]s ~l 'le coming of the Messiah; and Il
,.o wy We're no longer an exception to Il
,SddaIltement, that all the children o. mt
sS Suu mingie and fra,erhize with eac
~ 80, The friends of the high tariff pc
i, would have US patriotic, and bouI
r. eennevolence by our national limit
n. Infinite wisdom inculcates worl
Lam philanthropy and the inclusion of
a,, @an beings in one brotherhood.
sb;. Z patriotic and praiseworthy spir