The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-10-18


its parts, uniform duties of 20 per cent? could
have been adhered o.''-Clay's letter to Mr. Mer-
iWether Oct 2, Is43
ON PROHIBITION.
One side:
''The prohibitory policy, it is confidently as
rerted, is condemned by the wisdom of Europe,
and by the most enlightened statesmen. Is this the
fact' We call upon gentlemen to show in what
instance anation that has ENJOYED ITS BENEFITS
has surrendered it,
Again.
"But it true that England is convinced of the
mpolcy Of the prohibitory system, and desirous to
abandon it!-What proof have we to that effect'
We are asked to reject the evidence deducible
from the settled and steady practice of England,
and take lessons in school of philosophical writers
whose visionary theories are nowhere adopted, or
if adopted, bring with them inevitable distress, i'm
poverishment, and ruin-Ciay's speech, March
80, 1924
The other side:
"The prohibition Of the fabrics Of foreign coun-
tries would transfer the monopoly to the home
manufacturers IN the United States. The true
interests of the consumers are best promoted by
competitor between the foreign and the national
supply. The inevitable tendency of that compe-
tition is to reduce prices, all experience has dem
onstrated. - Ciay's letter from .Ne,o Orleans to
committee efhis ,ohig friends in Virginia, Jan.
%, 1874.
Again:
"I Ineuer Das in favor of duties being so high as
to amount to prohibition of articles on which
they are laid. have thought it best for all inter-
ests that there should be competion.''
Again:
My opinion, that there is no danger hereafter of
high tariff, is founded the gratifying fact that
our manufactures have taken deep root. Even
now some branches OF them are able to maintain in
distant markets successful competition with rival
foreign manufacturers
TARIFF OF 1916 AND 1924
One side.
81 uoted for the tariffs of 1916, 1924, and 1892
think they were all reasonable and moderate at
the times they were respectively passed.-.lh.
Clay to Blenham and Bleisoe.
The other side:
"You are right, SO far as the record is concern
ed, in your statement that did not vote for the
tariffs of 1916 and lS24."-.Mr. Clay to Mr..
.Eriveher.
EFFECT OF DUTIES ON PRICES.
One side
"But the duty never becomes an integral part Of
the price, except in instances where the demand
and supply remain, after the duty is imposed pre-
cisely what they before, or the demand is in
creased, and the supply remains stationary
Speech on tariff, February, 1882, vOi. 2, p. Ss.
The other slde
''If there is any truth in political economy, it
cannot be that result will agree with prediction;
for are instructed by all experience that the con-
sumption any article is in proportion to the re-
duction Of its price; and that, in general, it may be
taken as rule that the duty upon an article forms
portion OF It's price, ,"-Sreech on compromise,
February l3, 1888, vol 2, p. ITO.
WHO PAYS THE DUTY?
One side:
"The sole object of the tariff is to tax the pro-
duce offoreign industry, with the view of p:omot-
ing American industry. The tax is exclusively
Ievelled at foreign industry. That is the avowed
and the direct purpose of the tariff If it subjects
any part of A mercan industry to burdens. that is
an effect altoge her incidental and perfectly voun
tary" "-Speech on The tarif, 1924, uOl Up. 457
The other side:
SHOW, as the chief source of revenue raised by
this government is from foreign imports, and as the
consumer pays the duty, it is entirely impractical
BILE to ascertain how much of the common charge
and general expenditure is contributed by any one
State to the Union. "-Spetch on The land bill,
January 2S, 1871, uoL 2, p. 467.
DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAXATION.
One side:
"Who has the temerity to meet the waves of
popular indignation which will flow round and bury
him, whoever he may be, that should propose, in.
time of peace, 10 raise revenue by direct taxa
on!"-Speech on The tariff 1s42, v0l. PIP. 344
The other side:
''Can any one doubt the impolicy ofgovernment
resting solely upon the precarious source of such
a revenue' It's constantly huctuating Ittempts
US by its enormous amount at one time into extrav-
agant expenditures; and we are then driven by its
sudden and unexpected depression into the oppo-
site extreme. We are seduced by its flattering
promises into expenses we might avoid; and we
are afterwards constrained by its treachery to avoid
expenses which we ought to make. 1t is system
under which there is a sort of perpetual war be-
tween the interest of the government and the in
terest of the people. Large importatons fill the
Golfers ofthe government and empty the pockets of
the people. Small importations imply prudence on
the part of the people, and leave the treasury emp
ty. In war the revenue disappears; in peace it is
unsteady. On such system the government will
not be able much longer exclusively to reply.
WAS OPPOSED TO
THE TOTAL REPEAL OF INTERNAL REV.
ENUE."-Speech Of -aprii s6, 1920, uol /, p
400.
And now, before passing from this head to the
others that are awaiting our attention, we will
leave Mr. Clay and for the illustration of the op-