The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-06-28
From the Harrisburg Intellige',ecr
THE TARIFF.

The anxiety with which the people look to
Washington for an adjustment of this question,
is intense and absorbing. 1t swallows up near
ly every other consideration and the intelligent,
candid men of the community, regard the pro-
per settlement OF the question as OF vital mo-
ment to the business of the country.
1t is not surprising, then, that the intelligence
sent abroad stealthiy and as feeer, from GER
tain quarters to the effect that Congress may
get adjourn aoithom adjusting the tariff, ex-
cites the protoundest as,onIshment, the deepest
regret and the most august Indignation OF the
people
intention of strong band in the House of Re-
representatives., to link the tariff and the distribu-
ton questions together, and If the bill fail in
the Senate, or be vetoed by the President, to adj
journ without passing any other, and appeal to
the people at the fall elections.
If events take this course, the whole country
will be convulsed with excitement; and the APP
peal to the people to sustain the Representatives
will be made IN vain. Instead of the effect in
tended being produced; Instead of the odium
which is designed to be cast upon the Execu-
tive instead of the clamor to be raised IN favor
of tn tariff watch the present Congress have it
in their power 10 give US, the result will be, that
the Representatives who shall suffer the demon
of faction TO control their action, and who shall
abandon at once their posts Of duty and the in
lerests OF the country, will meet the scorchng
reprobation OF an outraged people.
On this subject we feel and speak warmly
We insist that probable circumstances will
Justify the cour,e which it is alleged is contem-
plated by The House OF Representatives. The
members were sent 10 Washington for other and
more dgnfed purposes, than devise schemes
TO head Captain Tyler or any body else AL
ready has the country suffered untold and meal
culable ills 20 CRAFTY political parlisans, who, in
their selfish warfare for power, are too prone to
forget the public veal. Party and faction. in
stead OF patriotism, have already swayed the
pubic councils, until, under their baneiul inhu-
ence, all the productive energies of this great
nation languIsh The resources, the genius, the
true interests of the country, have too long been
gros ly misunderstood, or made the mere coun-
tiers of political gamesters.
This state of things must be ended. The pa
uence OF the people Is already exhausted. From
all parts of the country, we hear the deep NUT
terngs of the public displeasure; and dreadful
Will be the fury of the storm when it shall burst
on the devoted heads of those who have pro-
voked it.
We repeat, the conduct of the President can
not justify the House of Representatives in the
course Indicated Let the members but do their
own duty, in such manner as to free them
selves from any suspicion or imputation of I'M
worthy motives, and we have no fears for the
result. If the tariff bill be sent 10 the President
by itself, no one need apprehend veto. Their
why provoke the exercise of that power2
The tariff is great question: 1t affects the
business Of the country. Its permanent settle
ment on a sure and satisfactory basis, is de-
manded by the whole people. In itself, it is a
question which is not considered debaeable, at
the present time. All admit the necessity of
revenue duties; and, in assessing these, the
principle of protective discrimination cannot be
disregarded. II the question be settled by itself,
free from all exraneous matter, we may expect
il 10 remain undisfurbed for years On the
other hand, the land question is now, and will
continue to be, the subject OF warm dispute and
contest. 1t, also, should stand by itself on its
own merits in every view it is question of
minor importance to the tariff. The first affects
the business of the people, and also the reve-
nues of the States, which have constructed
public Improvements the other simply affects
the revenue of the State governments, and can
have but little or no influence on either the TO-
reign or domestic business Of the country. 1t