The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-07-14

SPEECH OF Mn. REYNOLDS,
or ILLINOIS,
ON THE TARIFF BILL.
Delivered in The House Of Representatives,,
yLlp 9, lS42.

Mr. CHAIRMAN | an happy to know that this
committee is not restricted by technical rules to
strain free and liberal discussion. Every speaker is
permitted to present to this House, and the nation,
the subject subjects which may be the most inte-
resting him and the People. This is carrying out
that llberaly and equality on which are based
all free AMI happy institutions and on these prln-
cpIes and no other, these institutions, which
are 50 wisely calculated advance the happiness OF
man, be preserved
fl is idle and theoretic discussion, founded on moon
shine an shadows to debate The protective anti
protective Tariff while the revenue for the Govern
ment is to be raised to twenty seven or twenty eight
millions of dollars. This revenue, no matter who
Their Il Is sustained for protection TO manufactures
for the support of the Government will be all-sutfi-
clen ior every purpose OF protection. The inclden-
tai protection aft rled by this amount of revenue to
the manufactures will operate tax the rest of
the community for The sole benefit ofhe man featuring
Interest so long, therefore, the system of evyng
revenue on the Importation of goods be pursued, the
only remedy to preserve the farmers aud othes from
the rapacty, and the de curing Influence of the ma
nufacturng lntetest, is to reduce the the
very lowest sum possible To support the Government
Therefore IN nv Judgment the discussion of the prn
cpies OF tree trade should be directed either the low
est point OF economy In the adm rltion of the
Government under the present SYSTEM to the sys-
tenn OF direct taxation for the support of Government
Free trade pr per must of necessity be based the
principles OF direct taxation.
Mr. Chairman, l not prepared to vote for this
system at the present time, as have had commu-
MON with my constituents the subject but would
surprise that the system will be adopted befure
many years PISS our heads.
This system, more than all o hers, the most equi-
table and ist in levying revenue for the support Of
Government. 1t is based on the same principles on
which all our institutions are founded Under this
system each individual IN the community would pay
a tax in proportion to the value of his property
Can any thing be more just and equitable than this
for the wealth of the country to be taxed in equal
proportion for the support Of the Government? Who
would dare advocate before the people rule to tax
one class of people higher than another? | am told
by the highest authority, that it will cost but five per
cent for the collection of the revenue under this sys
TEN. Many OF the Wing orators say this system is
odious and the People will permit the tax-ga-
therer to enter their houses This argument is based
on the assumption that the People ignorant and
vicious. This school of politicians have always consi
dered the of the people ignorant dishonest and
incapable of seli-government 1t is also stated that
the People will pay willingly tax on imported
goods because they are ignorant of making such pay
ment.
deceiped and dsaud before they are willing to sup
port the Government, free Government would be at
an end. Whenever the People are unwilling to sup
port the Government with revenue or otherwise,
tnen all tnese Tree institutions, Whc have been the
admiration OF all nations since the days Of our
luton, will fall and crumble to the dust
Will not every citizen contribute his proportion for
the revenue iriLlitgiy when he knows what he paws
and for what object it is collected? Where is the
odilnn on paying tax for the support of the Govern
ment more than other honorable support Some peo-
pie considered odium in the last defend the
countr. against the Invasion of the enemy, and the
same class of people may consider it an odium to
support the Government in time of peace with pro-
rtIonHbe quota OF money iald by direct taxation.
All the movements in Republic should be simple and
dtreet--no EVASION or fraud about it, What odium is
1t Tor Tax gatherer to enter house more than
sheriff or Constable
La collecting revenue import du ties the is
altogether paid on personal property, whereas NE d.
rect TAX would be mostly levied real Lands
Their tore instead Of personal property would be the
SUBJECT or taxation. his would BIZ more perma-
nent and solid basis which to levy tax than on
personal property. The poor man, then, would pay
much ess Ia than he pays under the present deLusire
system of taxation. poor laborng man, under the
present system, pays all the foreign goods
USE ri her for cl"thlng otherwise whereas under
the other system, having not much property, he
would pay III the same proportion to the Government
Zoe other remark, and will leave the subject the
consideration of this commitee-and that is the
nue., when the Peepe pay direct tax will not be
travagant-an economical Government will be
bshed, and then the frauds and extravaganza about
the tonhouses will be abandoned.
The system Of free trade and direct taxation is the
only po sble mode preserve in The COM
munlty from plundellng and obbing another Under
the present system, the whole valley of The Mississp-
pi, Containing population of six millions of souls or
more mostly farmers and mechanics, axed sup
port the manufacturers in The Eastern States. And
this system of robbery not be avoided while the
revenue, TO support the Cove nment, is kept up at
twenty seven eight millions of dollars, as it is
proposed at present by the Wing majority in Con
gress This system compels the Mississippi valley to
become tributary to the Eastern States-makes the
farmer toll and for The support of the ufac
tuel, and enrches one at the expense of the other.
his is WhIggery with vengeance farmers and
mechanics. 1t Is congeniaI the principles of
Tree Government TO permit Its citizens exercise
tree trade, like other pursuits, their talents and labor
In tEot manner which to them best. Is it pos
slbe for the Government to direct man in his own
private business better than the can himself I?
Congress can not be presumed to know more about
mems business than they do themselves
Mr. Chairman We hear gentlemen often on this
foor say that the ubject of revenue is extremely i'm.
potant to the country and should Use above all party
considerations
These remarks are made either without due refec-
ton, or they are made to deceive the People 1t is on
all great measures and fundamental principles that
parties are formed. The greater the measure the
more necessary Is 1t Tor party to be formed
sustain 1t. In the Revolution the freedom of man
IRON BRITISH tyranny was the to be effected
his Is the greatest earthly measure, human freedom
In which man can be engaged, and it was the par
y Of the Revolution formed Was not this party or
gained for the good of the country And could the
freedom and liberty of man be accomplished IN the
Revolution, except by forming party to effect the
same2 Moreover, Inay add, that parties and associ-
atoms are formed still higher and more interesting
subjects. The holy religion of our country is made
the basis of associations and parties to carry its
divine precepts. Where is the man who will say This
is wrongl
Inese gentlemen saying call for the country, -
and moth NJ for party, deceving themselves or
the People They stealing into power by cheat
Ing he electors They gener lily protesting what
they do not feel and retaining gall and bitterness in
their hearts, while the outside resembles "whitened
sepuchle"
My colleague Mr. Stuart in order to counterfeit
the Indignation and wrath of The People which is fast