Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-07-01
THE PROTECTIVE TARIFF,

HE IhO III / ~ Il y HIFf.
Many individuals oil the whig parry are
heard TO say that they are against a scale
of duties ABUSED with a view to profec-
ton, but that they are in favor Of The Tar.
if Of lS42 as measure tn raise money
and as affordlng Incidental protcc',n. -
Some use this language who know better
and others are deceived.
We will show what the high tariff party
think Of it as a proof Of the characteroG
the measure.
The friends Of The protective system,
consisting Of politicians and interested
manufacturers, met in the city OF New
York, on the 2Sth Of October lS19.--
There were delegates present from most
the others, and their object seems to have
been to sustain the present Tariff law and
embody their friends in all quarters Of The
Union, and facilitate the establishment OF
"a home department" and "prolecliyc
government, wisely discriminating in the
choice of pursuits for the exercise OF the
intelligence and enterprise o! the people,"
They put forth an address TO the United
States characterized hy decided ability
and daring threats at the Southern States
and at the institution Of slavery. They
seek The csla ishmcAt OF Home Depart.
men, like the Department Of State and Of
War, which III y say would "morc Than
repay the cost il seeking oat and de ending
new channels f,r the industry and cMlec-
prize of our citizens AMI in protesting us
against hasly and yaci!jaing legislation"
Haw viii our farmers like such pratec-
ten as ,his?--thc gov eramcnt hunting out
pursuits for the pep and compelling
them BY the power Of taxation to pursue
such as the government choose.
They addresslbemselves TO their SOU h.
ern friends, and say:--
awe are thoroughly and conscion'iousIy
convinced by the IN st faithful inyestiga-
ton which our minds arc abe to give,
that the protective policy and an &c.
hnowledgod protective government will
conduce more to The advantage and
growth of our common country in all lis
interests than any other course which can
be devised"
ave believe that n discriminating and
impartial protection Of the uoat Dr0mia-
emf pursuits Of Industry for all classes Of
our citizens according to their respective
advantages of soil, climate, and facilities
whereby the greatest amount Of wealth
my be produced foe the whole communi-
ty. We think such protection should be
ample, positive, ard not vaciIlating, bat
special; adequate to the growth and seed
rty OF Whatever interest is intended TO be
protected. Any shifting half way preten-
del protective policy is no policy at all.
1t is fraud on the patriotic believer in
the good faith of our government, and the
effect of it as already pracrced is to be
seen in the haling confidence placed by
our capitalists in tie continuance Of or
present Tariff. No new mills are sel in
motion and many that were suspended still
remain so.
"That profession which is merely for
the sake OF revenue is as uncertain as the
revenue itsell-~a mere mockery of the
term"
No one could doubt for moment that
these manufacturing capitalists and their
political agents believe that this Tariff
furnishes ample prdtection, and is pro-
tective Tariff in the highest sense OF the
term But we are not left in doubt about
their views in reference to it, as The fol
lowing resolution adopted by them shows;
"ReSolofd, That this Convention IN
common with the free industrial classes
throughout the country, approve OF the
general principle of protection for the
sake of projections; not incidental, nor
horizontal, nor least OF all accidental; but
Il liberal, well digested, and whatever lis
imperections, the acceptable Tariff now
being passed without compromise by the
independent votes of the friends of home
industry. 1t will lie our determined and
Jealous aim to guard it from repeal or the
insidious attacks OF hirellng presses N
foreign interest or political enemies, or
base revolving friends"
This allied band Of capitalists and their
political agents who egArd protection so
far as it arises ."incidenta!ly or accidental
ly'' out of revenue measure, as mere
lnockery-who scout at the horizontal or
compromise Tariff and who intend that
the Government should select The "most
promising pursuits of industry" and CON
nell the people 10 pursue them by the CO.
ereiye mower of iaxation-such men re
uard the present Tariff as ''most accepta-
BE and agree to guard it from repeal
They do not ask lor q higher protective
Tariff than tie Tariff OF 1912. The