The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-06-15
II Ii ID M A d $50 N A n
COMMERCIAL TREATIES.

The Globe is attempting to review some pa
ragraphs taken from the Madisonan, on the
subject of Free Trade, and the necessity OF hav-
ing our commerce with the nations OF the earth
established on permanent basis.
The Globe copies the paragraphs, and then
, proceeds 10 put a Convenient construction on
them. II says:
" As the Madsonan has it, it will be system o
reciprocity, to consist +" in equivalents Of counter
balancing nature" That is if England lays oP-
pressive or prohibtory duty any one of the great
staples of American industry she will either permit
us to return the compliment, by an equivalent duty OF
an amicabe counter balancing nature" on some one
more of her own productions, or make amends ny
relieving from some existing restrictions either on
our agriculture, commerce, or manufactures.
Now, our meaning was this, and the remarks
admit of no other, when considered with the
context: We must lay duties on imports for
revenue-if the Destructives will not consent 10
direct taxation and, as epjoined in the Con-
stituion, being for the general welfare of the
nation, it would be proper, in national point Of
view, and not be objected to, we presume, by
any advocate OF Free Trade, to tax, for such a
purpose, among others, such articles be
manufactured at home-not for the purpose of
protecting any particular cass-though the
American manufacturer must, necessarily, be
benefited to some extent; we say necessarily
nay, inevitably sufficient amount OF
revenue for an economical administration of the
Government, cannot be raised by any arrange
ment of duties which does not include the lead
ing articles of home manufacture.
AS an advocate of Free Trade, of course we
are not in favor Of taxing imports one cent be-
yond the amount required by the Government
we are in favor Of distributing this burden or
tax proportionaby the citizens whose duty il
is to support the Government; favorpg none,
and not excluding any bu', at the same time,
we are well aware, and every body who has re-
fected on the subject must know, that, unless
tea and cofee are heavily laxed the requisite re-
venue cannot be obtained by tariff confined
exclusively to such articles as are not snanutac
lured at hume.
AS TO the "prohibilory duties" which the Globe
would fam put IN our mouth, we will have no.
thing to do with them. If England should pro-
pose any such terms, them we say, break up the
conference. If she must have revenue 100,
(and who doubts it?) let moderate duties be
imposed for that specific object, and not for the
protection of her manufacturing companies.
Free trade and sailors rights is our COM
mercal motto. After a revenue standard is es-
tablished (and established by the concurrence
of all parties and all sections) then let all men
buy and sell, at home aud abroad, TO the best
advantage they can.
A revenue standard in this country will, or
should, satisfy the manufacturers, provided ii is
made permanent, and not subject TO a par
tsan increase one year, to raise surplus re-
venue 10 be unconstituionally squandered or
internal Improvements; and the nexr, sunk be-
low zero, 10 force the Government 10 create
national debt 10 supply the deficiency in the
Treasury.
We repeat, that " low duties" with the seal
of STABILITY affixed TO then, would content the
manufacturers. And this they have right to
demand for if the Government has no power
TO protect them for the sake of protection, nei
their has it the right to crush Them by vacil
lating legislation, TO increase the chances Of
any uncomfortable demagoguc for the Presi-
dency, or to throw three hundred thousand dol
Trader we insist that the manufacturers are en-
titled to no exclusive privilege, as such if they
cannot live without such privileges, they are al
liberty TO pursue some other calling but, as an
advocate of Free Trade, we also admit. that
when a man erecis his mandatory, the Gov
eminent has no right to pull it down, merely to
crafty a Globe Destructive. The manufac-
10 ,e
American citizen, as the manufactured of yarns
for the Globe, aud is as much entitled to the
benefits of wholesome laws and hence, if bis
property be wantonly sacrificed to subserve the
interests of particular party to-day, it is but
natural, if not just, for him to seek indemnity
when that party is overthrown tomorrow.
We desire, and speedily, to see the Tariff
QUESTION settled amicably, permanently, and
put at rest forever 1t has too long been the
theme of financial quacks, and the mere sport of
contemplate demagogues. 1t would be better
for all parties and for the country. The North
and the South would be forever reconced, and
the Government would always know the extent
of its means.
And yet this Administration, we are quite
sure, will do nothing unadvisedly in the prem
Uses. The Constitution will be its guide, and
the people its hackers. If negotiations are en-
tered into, the result will surely be submitted TO
Congress. The Senate and Peoples Repre-
senatives must concur in any measure of this
nature proposed by the Executive, before it can
be finally settled.
If British statesmen should come bitber II
confer with our statesmen, on the subject of 3
commercial arrangement on the PRINCIPLES o.
Free Trade, the President, we trust. womb