Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-10-20

as the fund lie under the
control of the state, be
cancelled.
That a Tariff of du-
ties upon importations,
sufficient to supply all
the reasonable wants of
the National Covenant,
g. shaped with a substan-
tive and bonqfde intention
TO give adequate protec-
ton to home industry,
is absolutely necessary
for the independence and
prosperity of the country,
is believed to be a funda-
mental political truth,
which ought on all suita-
BILE occasions TO be pro-
claimed. 1t is a doctrine,
too, which should be put
forth in no ambiguous
terms, but ought distinct
ly to embrace the idea of
protection, that thus there
may be but two sides to
the question, and no COW
er for hypocrisy on either.
The last Congress found
that the sliding scale of
the Compromise Act had
descended so low that the
revenue was not sufficient
; to support the Govern
ment /; and that the low
; rate of duties had caused
excessive importations Of
foreign goods, and consc-
quently immense indebt-
edness and large remit
tances of specie abroad,
while at home the results
were great injury to our
manufactures, as well as
to those who furnish ma
terials, labor and subsis-
tence, and an almost uni
versal depression of the
country. In this state of
things, the majority Of
that Congress undertook
to enact a new, and it was
hoped a better Tariff; and
after the strong opposition
of the great body Of the
minority, and with the re-
luctant votes of a small
number of that minority,
the present Tariff was pas
sed. Although it is but
about a year since its
passage, its operation has
already been most bene-
fic1al. Business is now
uncommonly active in the
commercial cities ; the
important manufactures
are in lively operation; the
demand for the great sta
pie of our state is reviv-
ed, and the price has
somewhat increased; and
it is believed that if the
present Tariff can sur
vive the attacks Of its
opponents in the next
Congress, the business OF
the country will be in a
permanent state of pros
perity, and, consequently,
our agricultural produc-
tions in good demand.
If, as has been alledg-
ed, it shall turn out that
the protection afforded tc
every interest, except that
which is peculiarly oui
own, is too high, while
the protection to that is
inadequate, it is surely
consolatory to reflect, that
the portion Of the people
from whom this complain
arises, may control the
majority in the next Con
gress; and l may add
reasonable to expect, tina
that majority will raise
, the duty on wool to the
necessary point. The cor
rectness of this expecta
ton, however, time will
determine.
1t should be remember
ed that the present Tariff
was not secured withou
a great sacrifice. Thu
overweening opinions o
the President, and the OPP
position of the minority
in Congress, compelled
the postponement anc
perhaps the final loss, o
the distribution of tn,
proceeds of the sales o
the public lands among
the several states,to which
they have a just right
This was done, lest til,
want of q sufficient rev
! enue should oblige Con
, gress to pass a TART
: highly protective; thu
! inflicting upon the state
= a double injury-the los
r of their portion of tn
:, :, money accruing from tn
! ! sales of the public lands
! and the risk of havin.
the present Tariff demol
. . ished or impaired. Will
Q we have yielded to tn
necessity of suspendin
the Land Distribution, i
- order to secure Protec
- ton, / conceive it to b
. our duty constantly t
- ~ insist upon distribution
- as a measure which car
" not be denied withol
trampllng upon the sacIe
!, rights ofthe states.
= / have thus used tn
, common privilege of e'
= cry citizen to speak upo
:, some of the questions
y national policy which no
y engage the attention
the public, meaning
- course no disrespect
:; |; those who entertain di
= ferent views. My Opt
= ions may be of small va
- ne, yet frankness requir,
~ that they should not |
=; :; withheld.
=, | thank you most co
~ daily for the honor yC
vi have conferred upon m