Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-08-09

| We believe, too that such change in the sentiments
Of the people of this Ancient Dominion, would involve
not only strange abandonment of their rights and IN
terests but also denial of the political principles they
have often avowcd and hitherto SO faithfully adhered
to- which would justly subject them to the repronch OF
the grossest folly of the basest iniquty and We
equally esteem il duty, therefore, to recommend,
as We most earnestly do. similar expression of OPT
MON by the rest Of fellow citizens throughout the
State.
We are aware that the real character of this ques
ton, il is presented, is attempted 10 be dis
gused by the petence, the part of the advocates OF
the policy, at least in this portion of the Union, that
they only in favor of mpost duties 10 the extent
that the wants of the Government, economically adm
nstered, may require; such duties TO be laid solely for
the object OF raising the necessary revenue for the Co.
vernment of the Union; and that they only ask in lay
ing such duties DETERMINATIONS may he mace IN uVnr
of particular interests. THIS statement of the cues
ton, is either change OF The language used IN
essng the policy they advocate, (Which Is cacula
ted, and fear is intended to deceive the good peo-
pie of this country else there was no occasion Tor
the earnest appeals TO Congress, with which, we are
told, they have crowded the files Of both the Senate
and House of Represe If all they desired was,
that Congress should lay duties sufficient with the
other legitimate of the General Government,
to raise adequate revenue for its economical and
just administration, then there would be no obstacle to
the accomplish of their object for there no one
who would oppose them. We, at least, now, rs
we have been, willing and ready TO pay cur far
proportion OF any tax, equally imposed ard honestly
collected for The proper administration vi our common
Government If by determinations in favor OF partl-
cular interests they mean, that the General Govern
men in the exercise OF lis taxing power, has the right
and ought il, 10 interfere with and Tegu'
late The occupations of the people of the different
States, encouraging interest at the expense OF nno-
her, then they advocate tile principles and policy OF
tn. old discarded protective system, in whatever Ian.
gunge they choose 10 express them. They adhere 10
the substance of that system, though they present IN
different form-a form, which is, in our view, the
most Objectionable of any Of the many shapes, in which
il has ever vet been attempted 10 be imposed upon US.
But the actions of opponents on this question are
plain and conclusive this point, however doubtful
aud deceptive their language may be- The bull, which
has originated from their Teconnendntions and has
been recently passed by the House of Representatives,
was reported TO the House, not by the Committee OF
finance from which revenue bills usually come, but
by the Committee Manufactures, appointed to take
charge OF that particular interest, and from which bulls
protective Of that interest, and not revenue bills, pro-
perly emanate This bill was framed upon The evidence
given by the manufacturers themselves, and as the re-
mort ACCOMPANYING it shows, designed TO meet
their views and wishes. It's provisions appear TO Us
10 coincide precisely with lis origin and design lhey
embrace and unite, think, the very worst features
of the Tariff Acts of 1894 and lo2S the first Of which
met with the unanimous Condemnation Of the Southern
States and the last received throughout the Union the
appropriate appeatlon of the "Bl OF Aboninatiosis'
Whatever then, may be the language OF our opponents
on this question: their intentions obvious; and Their
casure is Of the highest protective character Nor
does The principle upon which they now profess TO ad
yocatc tend at all 10 reconcile US 10 the measure IT.
self We should prefer that The power to protect and
foster the particular and differing interests Of the coun'
try by direct legislation in their favor, should oil once
lie granted 10 the General Government, 10 admitting
the principle commended for, that such power should
be assumed be exercised only 10 The extent that the
expenditures of the Government might render revenue
necessary its administration; and That because sucn
principie would make il the direct interest oil large
and influential class Of The community, TO increase the
expenditures By every lavish and wateful mcaEs they
could devise, order TO produce the necessity ior an
enormous revenue. The effect OF such principle, We
believe would be- 10 corrupt society at its very source,
in the administration Of the Government itself Under
both systems the pecun;ary loss 10 US would be Tie
same; but under the last, the community would lose IN
morals more than could be calculated III money. One
of the devices by which 1t is already attempted 10 IN
crease tie necessity for larger revenue 10 be raised
by mpost duties is that Of giving nway 10 the State
Tie proceeds OF the public lands, enc OF
the legitimate and hitherto prolific sources OF revenue
10 the General Government, (and that too, when the
Treasury of that Government IS alredy empty,) pro-
vision for which purpose is incorporated by The most
extraordinary ard Objectionable legislation, IN this very
pretended revenue bill. Not the least OF the many
ruinous effects of this most singular and unwarraned
ccntrivance will he, to withdraw the State govern
ments from their allegiance 10 md dependence upon
their proper constituents, the people of the different
States and 10 involve them in the same extravaganza
and corruption with the Government OF the Union
nd this We consider is OF the hrs fruits OF ths
new Drincip,e upon which bountes TO manufactures,
al the expense Of all other domestic interests, are again
urged upon our adoption. While, therefore, the grounds
upon whch it is now attempted again 10 recommend
The protective policy, tend only 10 render more 90
irctonable US, the measure PROPOSED IS oehuca WIN
The most cdous of tie Tariff acts, and i;s fleets upon
the peace and prosperity Of the different portions oil Tue
Union, must be the same.
We cannot but express our surprise tnat tns Pocy'
of protecting certain interests in the community al the
ex pense of the rest should be attempted 10 lie eV'eu
al this time ard under the existing circumstances OF
universal Distress and still more that those crcumstan
ces should be made the plea Of afordng relief 10 Inc
manufacturers from that distress, at the present es
pense at least as admitted Of the agrcu.turss ana
others who are no less distressed. We farmers and
nlanters We claim that property is American
capital labor American labor, and our industry 40
nestle industry, less than The property, labor ana
industry Of the our interests are
as great useful and important rs theirs-our proouc's
"a necessary in war and ms essential in peace. Weas
sert that we are in condition Of equal dstress-we
insist that entitled upon every consideration
equally with them TO relief from our dihculties 'he
Government has any right or ability !" afford such re-
lief wi,hou; injustice 10 others and we proclaim, IN
any event, that least, ought not, and VIII not
submit 10 have distesses aggravated that others
NAV be relieved from theirs.
Our surprise at this attempt 10 revive this odious
pocy al s time, not essened by The consideration
Of another circumstance connected with it's history
while our deepest regret called forth, and our just in
dlpnation excited by it. We have not forgotten that
when this bad policy, BY bringing the differing 'her
ests of this extended country INTO hosue connect IN
The General Government, had we'll nigh produced
dissolution of the Union, the act Of 1883, introduced
by the great advocate of the pro Give policy HIMSELF
was passed by CONSENT for the avowed purpose
of settling finally tie principles upon winch, III all
time 10 come except in time of war, the Government
should exercise its power of laying duties on imports
We remember, that of the principal objections 10
this act was that provisions were but loo favorable
10 the manufacturers and that yet, alter the mos, ae
lberate considerations lis terms were accepted ana Tie
faith of all the conflicting interests, with only some
few individual excep,ons) pledged 10 lis 0tser
vance in the most solemn forms, and by The hottest Oh
I,gatons of which the agreement admitted. We know
that the agricuursts hare quietly submitted 70 inc
burdens it imposed, and have honoraoly ana la.'nu