Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-04-28
THE CONSTITUTIONAL OF A PRO
TECTIVE TARIFF.

THE CONSTIrUTIONALiTY OF A PRO
TECTIVE TARIFF.
:, we notice in various papers extracts from the
Messages OF several Presidents of the United
States, particularly those of JerFERsoN, MApIsoy.
MONROE, and JACKSON, demonstrating that by
each OF these distinguished persons the constitn-
lonallty and propriety Of protective duties were
fully recognised.
lie truth is that the protective policy has been
'htermlnglsd with the administration of the C:e-
neral Government since the time of the first Con-
gress, nor was its constitutionaty ever question:
cd until 1t suited the views OF some politicians in
The South to dispute it some ten or fifteen wears
ago. The nature and extent of protective tariff
were regarded as matters of eXpedency to be
settled and determined according to general views
OF public policy. Upon that ground the system
was favored by some, and opposed by others
Dnt the preponderance Of public sentiment has
neen so decided In favor Of the policy, that no
doubt need exist concerning the determination of
the country to adhere to it. The evils which have
followed from its partial abandonment Of late
years, will afford additional reasons for consistent
adherence in future.
we quote some extracts from the Messages of
former Presidents-not that we believe the aues-
ton OF consiitutionaty on this subject admits of
argument, but Tor the satisfaction of such as NAV
be unacquainted with the actual opinions of men
whose names are considered as good authority on
this question. We quote as briefly as possible
lor want of space, not for lack of matter applca-
BILE to the point.
| In his last Message in 1903, MIR. JEFFERSON
said
"lhe suspension of our Foreign Commerce.
produced by the injustice of the be.igerant pow
ers, and the consequent losses and sacrifices of
our citizens, are subjects of just concern. The
eed us 10 apply pon S Sf" Hfr ndns,fv
! capital TO Internal Manufactures and Improve
ments. The extent of this conversion is daiIy in
creasIng, and little doubt remains that the es.ab
iishments formed and forming, WILL under the
auspices oil cheaper materials and subsistence the
freedom OF labor from taxation with us, and of
protecting duties and prohibitions, become perma-
neat"
=, Mr. MADISON, in 1915, in special Message to
Congress in the month of February, said:
~ he revivlng interests ofcommerce will claim
the legislative attention at the earliest oppor.uni-
w. and such regulations will, trust, be seasonal
ply devised as shall secure to the United States
their Just proportion of the navigation of the
world. The most liberal policy toward other ma
TONS u met 6y corresponding dispositions, will in
ms respect be found the beneficial policy to-
ward ourselves. But there is no subject that can
enter with greater force and merit into the delibe-
ralions of congress-, than consideration of the
means to Preserue and promote tie manufactures
which have sprung into existence, and attained an
unparalleled maturity throughout the U. States du-
ring the period of the European wars. This
L r.
'ousty Recommend, therefore, to the prompt and
constant guardianship Of Congress-
Again, In his regular annual Message in De-
cember OF the same year, Mr.. MADISON says
lin adjusting the duties imports to the OBJ
Ject OF revenue, the Influence of the tariff on
man.J0cftrcs viii necessarily present itself for
/ consideration. However wise the theory NAV be
which leaves to the sagacity and interest of indl-
vduals the application of their industry and re-
sources, there are in this, in other cases, ex-
ceepilons to the general rule. Besides the cond-
tion which the theory itself implies of a recpro-
Cal adoption by other nations, experience teaches
mat SO many circumstances must occur in intro
ducing and maturing manufacturing establish
ments, especially of the more complicated kinds,
mat a country may remain long without them al
though sufficiently advanced, and in some res
pects even peculiarly fitted for carrying them on
win success. Under circumstances giving pow
eriui impulse to manufacturing industry, it has
maze among us progress, and exhibited an eff
cheney, which justify the belief that with a Dro-
fect'on not more than is due to the enterprisino
citizens whose interests are now at stake il will
become at an early day not only safe against oc-
caSionai competitions from abroad, but source
OF domestic wealth and even of external COM
merce."
Mr.. MONROE in his first annual Message saws
"Our manufactures will require the continued
attention of Congress. The capital EMPLOYED in
mem is considerable, and the knowledge required
iu manufactures is of great value. Their pre-
servaion, which depends on due encourageme,f,
Is connected with the high interests of the ma
tom
In bis next annual Message, NJ. MONROE re-
commended additional prot. clion to domestic man
uiactures. But we pass over the remaining peri
cd OF his administration and that Of his successor
to come to Gen JACKSON, whose views on The
subject were often and unequivocally expressed.
We quote however but one extract, and we select
THIS beca Use presents the constitutional question,
which, itSeems, had been started about that fine.
CT while previously. Inhis second annual Mes
sage, Gen. JAc&s1T says:
The power 10 impose duties on imports origin.
aUy belonged to the several States. The rioht to
ADJUST those duties with view to the encourage
ment OF domestic branches of industry, is so com
petely identical with that power, that it is difficult
To suppose the existence Of the one without the
other The States have delegated their whole au-
thorliy over imports to the general government,
without limitation restriction, saving the very
lnconsderabe reservation relating TO their inspec-
ton laws. The authority having thus entirely
passed from the states, the right to exercise it for