New-York daily tribune., 1844-07-29
Col. Polk on Protection.

10 me Edit0r o. Inc ITfJ1tnc.
Many Of the political papers, on both SIDES
have given currency to an idea, that Col. Polk
mas announced a change or modification Of hs
views on the Tariff, since his nomination, and
that his letter to John K. Kane, shows him to be
a reasonable Tariff man, quite as much SO as MIR,
CLAW Inasmuch as that letter does not contain
any intimation of change OF opinion, but OK,
pressly refers 10 his previous expressions Of opin
ion, his public acts and public discussions, as evil
dence of his present opinions, it is not easy to see
how any fair mind, at all acquainted with the
course of Col. Polk, csu!d fail to see in that very
letter the strongest evidence that he is one of the
most thorough and consistent advocates of free
trade, and perfectly certain 10 continue so if elect
cd with such answers given to political calls for
his opinions.
To make assurance doubly sure, and 10 make
that certain which was never doubtful, have
taken his letter to Mr.. Kane, and inserted at the
proper places the "opinions," "public act" "
"public discussions" recorded votes" and
" published speeches" of Mr.. Polk-showing
that instead Of there being any change or jar in
his opinions or any concealment, there is beau
tiful harmony in the whole, exhibited with unmls-
taxable dislincncss. The parts in italics consti-
tute the whole letter TO Mr.. Kane, ccr6atim.-
The other portions marked as quotations arc from
the letters speeches and addresses OF Mr.. Polk.
e. C. d.
CoarMBIA. Tennessee. June 10. is4i.
Dtar SIR rece'cnf rseeny sereTa, tstss IN re-
amomg ohers yoars Of lie 3 xim-. Ny oginiOHs bS
saJu; hdre UGn The pubic JhsH arc 10 DC
,nseh haze participated " steadily during the period
wus representative Congress opposed protective policy
ms nv recorded aud published speeches prove
voted the b for the better protection 9 wSo Ia aG "a
Mpoen was ppoeS s to s ine b I 10 Or. o..
vent rands in the importation Of foreign products IN ISIS
veted for the of Mr. Barring esou9n 70 reduce
ewn no opnion is that wool should Be duty iree Since
retired from Congress have held the opinions All
who observed know that have at all times
been opposed to the protective i've policy s,,s ,v
mi vieq sufficient amount 10 The 3Zeasurv 70 atrgv ne
sanctioned such moderate discriminating duties as 0onld
IN Ter 10 rs 70 ered Gar SG hs Tn
Mhc lT reduced Rwe5 tfr the rates m iS to lower rates.
@ 6ong the a'si e e gci Il o. ne s TO TO be p%B
g duty higher than - pee cent he incidental gIoec.
ed by y the ES fSa duty m w IN nSiS Sr I
mir for revenue md opposed Tariff for protection
am opposed Tariff for procsii1n. trelv and not TOR
,frenUs opposed 10 the hi act oi ieiz considering
IN: II 10 be III many respects Of This character"
deng H3oa these general principles. II as TnH kn0uH
tIGl garr support to te poiiryoj tfHl JACKSON al
utnistratiOn ihis subject lie recommended noditca
tons AMI reductions OF Tariff with TO the fnn
arainSt The Tariff of lS5. r0ted fer tie Iart act ~
IS iphcG eotqiea et Of t Oectiond
be provisions Of The dctct S5 because reduced the Ia
riff of 1873 to lower That made reducton
though no, so much desired To have made" rs
Der of tie Committee Of HcUS and Means of the House "
he RcpreSenGtire dpe assent TO bill reported by mat
cormec in December 1882 making further moducdt,oTS
of he duties c 10 proposed That bill aid not pass bat
zsaS supersedfd bv the biz commonly eGd The C0rnprOiS
J,,U far phirh rOed This the law when the w hig
Congress came into power By the Tariff act OF the Both OF
August 1892 the compromise act violated and repeal
led am in favor of repeating that act and restoring the
Tariff Of Snrch 3D. 1888 by which
cIe the O Of June si2 to be subject to duty
higher than 20pel cent.
In mn judgement it as the duty Of lie Government 10 eIed,
as far as ny he practicable TO do dg its reUcnUc d1s and
al other means IriR its 0cr tar aud St protection 10
all r great interests Of the Unior embracing agriculture
manu- ccres the mechanic arts, commerce ana HgrtgGtGh
aI iii OF restoring the compromise net OF 1855 lie
leyng ms do that the incidental protection afforded by
the - per duty especially when pad IN cash and on le
home vuuation will afford sufficient protection 10 the
md ali that they ought To desire or to which
"hey entitled Heartily dpr0re the resolutions upon
MiS subject passed on me Detaocde 'd0Hd! I0hcent~
iGteiv assembled at Baltimore.
fam ciLk great respect, Dear Sir yonr 0bt serU't.
L4.MES 4. POLK.
JDUN- II Pbiirf.lDdin