Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-06-02

the rates of duties that understanding only be ef
fected by means Of Treaty ratified by tho President
of the Constitution BECAUSE following the example
of the government in what now exists-thc arrange
menl between the United States and England touch
ing the colonial trade is practically to give to al un
3erstanding between the two governments the force
of law by ordinary acts of legislation. You all know
tina, the present basis of trade between the Unled
States and the British Colonies rests on the concur
rent acts the concurrent or conditional acts OF legs
latou of the two countries. Remember that the Sen
ate and the House Of Represen have passed up
on the terms of intercourse with the British Colonies
and so have both Houses Of the British Parliamen!
and if the Executive department enter into any nego-
tiation tho subject ofdues, then in she same man
ner may there DO made terms in the agreement that
If one party pass law providing certain duties the
other should provide by law for equivalent duties.
mention this because have seen il often stated
that TO regulate duties by treaty would be deprive
the House of Representatives, the great popular
branch Of the Legislature of its just authority II is
true treaty is the law 10 Congress- but as the whole
business of revenue, and the finances, of providing
for all the wants of the country peculiarly the bus
mess of the House of Representatives, am OF opn-
ion and always have been, that there should be no
encroachnent BY the Executive power on the Legs
latureby the President and Senate under the treaty
making power except in unnportant cases. such as
the treaty with France in regard to wlnes and some
others.
Well, then, gentleman, il it lie constitutional
mole Of arranging the subject by means OF negocla
ton, what is there in the present state of our rela.
tons with England which mates it desirable that
such attempt should be madel All Of us know
that the principal interests of the United States arc
all undera considerable degree of depression. The
commercial interest is depressed and SO far as all,
able to perceive, the agricultural interes. Of both
North and South is equally depressed, II look ut
the price current in the grain growing States Of the
West in the plantation States Of the South per-
ceive again great depression and no great encour-
| agenent to activity and emulation. What is there in
our condi,ion-wha. is there in the intercourse he
tween the two countries to justify an attempt at the
arrangement have mentioned!
Well, gentlemen, on this subject speak without
any authority. 1t is not for me to assume to speak
of sentiments Of persons abroad upon this subject -
But It is true that the opinion has become somewhat
current that with England an arrangement mioht be
made favorable 10 great agricultural Interest,"
| That agreement must OF course be founded on an
adequate consideration. But as to the objects of the
agreement which It s supposed may be favorable TO
| the United States, may mention the admission int
| England for consumption at fo'cer rates of duty
Of ssreral Of our large agricultural products. II
has been supposed, for example, that England may be
| induced to make important reductions in her duties
on tobacco. confess have never been able to see
why not. The tobacco duty in England is n mere
mntter of revenue. There is no collateral or Interior
object in it, The question, therefore, in the minds OF
! English Statesmen il seems to me can only be
whether reduction of the duty will diminish the
gregatr Of revenue. We all know that il often in
creases this aggregate-and in regnrd to this article
a reduction of duty one-hnH should augment impor
4
! English revenue.
/ IL is supposed too, that the duty on rice may un
! dcrqo n material and beneficial change. And this /;
an article now as much depressed as any other. ! hen
again, is this great product Of our own in the UneC
/ States 1Ii.e or, as it is called, Indian Corn.
| have not heard suggestion from any quarter tina
England would be inclined to a modification of he
Corn Laws, property called mean her duties OF
Wheat and Flour. But it has been suggested-l
know not with how much plausbili,y -and beg il
! NAV he received as merely suggestion of my own
Il have heard suggested that in regard TO this ar
,ice Of wholesome and cheap food England nigh
| l'e induced to place upon its importation low ant
fixed of duty. Now it is ut least worth inqnrns
whit will be the value of this admission. Corn il
the great Grain produc, Of the United States. Thu
statistical tables show that five bushels of Inda'
Corn are raised in the United States for every one o
Wheat and the surplus of this article beyond tht
wants of the consumer at home even if it were Blu
small surplus, if it could be introduced at lowe
rates of duty, would make wide difference in tn
aggregate.
/ am aware gentlemen, land many Of you know
all TINS subject better than do) that this is nm cl
of heavy freight and yet it brought from Marylan
and Virginia and Carolina to Boston and even t
Mainc The question is whether it would not b
worth while TO entertain the purpose, to try the ex
pertinent, ofarranging with England for dminu.io
Of The duty upon this article. In considering it, ever
body asks what is the quid pro quo-what is tn
equivalent for this concession? For what induce
ment may we hope that even this concession may
. obtained Undoubtedly, undoubtedly, the only in
ducemcnt could hold out to England would be
modification of the Tariff of the United States. Thu
proposition may seem unwise, because the Tariff
not for Revenue only but for Protection also; and hoy
both or either Of these objects could he firmly main
tanned under any modification Of the Tariff, is qucs
ton of great decncy and great difficulty. My es
pcrience has not given clear knowledge of It, b,
this do know-tha by making the Tariff stable an
firm we shall render it healthful and ludcious. lib
any operation tina, should unite the interests and oplr
ions Of all parts of the country we can pace the pre-
lection OF American Industry and American Labor c
permanent foundation. that is a much more impo
tant consideration than the degree to which Prote'
ton may be extended. (Applause) Depend npo
it, gentlemen is change and apprehension of chang
, that unnerve every working mans arm in this SCI
ton of country. (Appause.) Changes felt or char
ges feared the bane of our industry and our entc
prise. Applause) live in qlarter!of thdcountr
full Of industry, with some capital and great activity
and when 90 among my neighbors, thew ask, f
Cod sake, tell us what to expect! clay down yo'
law prescribe your rule let US see what will be Il
=, course Of the Government, and we will npply our II
: dns,ry and our capital and our skill TO the state
u things be it what will Cool lis, warm us freeze II
s scorch s-do what YOU please but let us know VIII
= you intend to do and stick TO il" daughter and
e pnnse.) Now am of opinion that if there is al
policy capable of combining the North and South al
4 East and West, stamp that with permanence for
years. and it would be better and better every ye,
md the country would be more prosperous than it h
been for years past.