The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1842-11-17
From the Nashville Banner.
Mr.. JEFFERSON AND A
an TARIFF

A contemporary brings TO our mind
the following additional endorsement
OF the Tariff policy by Mr.. Jefferson,
which had escaped our memory. II
is an extract from his celebrated re-
port Of Dec. IA, 1898, and is--suffi-
cientIy explicit, we should think, TO
settle the position Of the author in the
minds ofthe most skeptical:
"But should any nation, contrary to
our wishes. suppose il may better find
lis advantage byscontinning its system
ofprohibilions. duties, and regulations,
1t bekOoues as 10 1,rotecz our citixens,
their commerce and navigation, by coun-
ter prohibitions, dulies and regulations
also. Free commerce and navigation
are not to be given in exchange for re-
strictions and vexations, nor are they
likely TO produce relaxation Of Them.
'The following principles, being
founded in reciprocity, ap pear perfect
~ just, and to offer no cause of COM
plant to any nation.
81. Where nation imposes high
duties on our productions or prohib-
lis them altogether, il may be proper
for us to do the same by theirs first,
burdening or excluding those product
ions, which they bring here in compe-
tilion with Our own Of the same kind
selecting next, such manufactures as
we take from them in greatest quantity,
and which, at the same time, we could
the soonest furnish to ourselves, or OBJ
tain from other countries imposing on
them duties, lighter at first, but heavier
and heavier afterwards, as other chan
nels Of supply open. Such duties haU-
ing the effect Of indirect encouragement
to domestic manufactures Of the same
kind, may induce the manufacturer to
come himsey into these States, where
cheaper subsistence, equal laws, and a
vent of his wares, free Of duty, may
ensure him the highest profits from his
skill and industry. And here it would
be in the power Of tie State Govern
ments TO cooperate essentially, by
opening the resources of encourage
ment, which are under their control /;
extending them literally to artist in
those particular branches Of manufaC-
ture, for which their soil. climate, pop
ulation, and other circumstances, have
matured them and fosturing the pre-
cious efforts and progress of household
manufacture, by some patronage, sui
ted TO the nature of its objects, guided
by the local Information they possess,
and guarded against abuse by their
presence and attentions. The oppres-
sions on our agriculture, in foreign
ports, would thus be made the occasion
of relieving it from dependence on
the counsels and conduct Of others,
and of promoting arts, manufactures
and population at home"
There what think our anti-tarif,
Jefferson-Ioving, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
of that?- Does it not look like Wing
gerry? And yet it is from the pen Of
Thomas Jefferson. Should the time
come, says Jefferson. when any nation
shall Suppose it may better find its
advantage by continuing its system Of
prohibitions, duties and regulations, it
behooves us to protect our citizens,
their commerce aud navigation, tn .
counter prohibitions, duties and regu-
lations." And has not that time come?
Let facts tell. Our imports last year :
to 1927 900, 900 on which
we imposed and collected duties am
ounting in all to some fourteen millions
of dollars or about eleuen per cent, on
the aggregate. During the same year ,
our exports of home products, mainly
agricultural, amounted to $9l 900, 900;
on which foreign nations imposed du- {
lies amounting to one hundred and Mir- :
.y-ttree dollars, or at the rate of 100
per cent, on the total value Let the !
agricultural classes think Of these facts.