Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-05-02
YR aIAiR PROPeSlTION.'-No. 10.
THE TARIFF ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

IN Los, sne"lng the principles and views by
which they We're governed in laying the first Ia
riif on foreign merchandise. We thought that
this debate was better calculated than any other,
to illustrate tho true principles Of the Consti,u-
ton. ms opinion was Sustained by many con-
alterations, among which we may alude' to the
| following.
| In the first place, nearly one-haf of tho MEM
bers Oh the Convention which framed the Con-
siitution, were members of one or the other
branch OF the first Congress which assembled
under IL.
Secondly--James Madison, who is Justly re-
garded as the "Fainer of the Constitution" was
ihe master spri, Of the first House of Represen-
tatives, in which the bill originated.
! Thrdly-The Congress assembled SO soon af.
ter the adoption of the Constitution that its MEM
bers necessarily brought with them, the very spi-
rit OF the Consultation, and thorough knowledge
sof the Understanding which the people had of lis
sprovisions.
rs Lasty,--The councils Of the nation were at
that early day, distracted neither by sectional
1 jealousIes, nor by the baneful influence OF exas-
operated party feelings. They brought to the in
vestgation of the questions under consideration,
an enlarged spirit of patriotism, which could en-
brace all portions of the Union, and every inter-
est of the people.
For these reasons, and one other which should
be always kept prominently in view, viz : that
GEORGE W WASHINGTON, the greatest, wi
i se.t and best man who guided the destinies
OF a nation. then presided over the Government,
OF our infant republic, and approved the law, we
thought that the people Of Virginia would give
TO the deliberations and solemny recorded OPT
Mons of such Congress, and such President,
al least as much weight as TO the partizan elfu-
slons of the Richmond Enquirer. Have we mis-
taken the character of the sons OF the Old Domi-
Mon! We humby hope,-nay we JeHere We
have not. We believe that all the people want
is light--let them be placed IN possession of all
fDrfS am lato tint,
correct conciuHOns--we have around us thou
sands OF proofs OF this proposition, and among
them there is none more striking than that which
is afforded by the indications of speedy return
to the true principles Of the Constitution in re-
gard 10 the Bank and Tariff as expounded in the
early days of the Republic.
| Believing that we can render to our readers no
more acceptable service, we shall now proceed
with our analysis Of the debate Of 1899.
! On the 18th of April Mr. Ames moved duty
| on woo-cards, " observing that they were manu-
featured TO the eastward as good and as cheap as
the imported ones.''
| Mr Cymer mentioned "Thst in the State of
Pennsylvania the manufacture was carried to
great perfection, and enough could be furnished
to supply the-demand
a duty Of so cents per dozen was accordingly
imposed. Or. ID. 1861
Duty on Teas-Mr Boudinot declared him
self a friend 10 Indian Commerce. He thought
at eneoWsaged the employment # 3ippine aud i,,-
creased cur Seamen. He knew It's advantages TO
! agriculture. The gentleman from Va, (Sir Ma
dison,) supposed but little of our productions
were sent in exchange for India goods But our
Beef, Pork, Flour and Wheat, were shipped for
this purpose-not TO China, yet TO ports where
proper cargoes were taken in to answer the trade
ENCOURAGEMENT AND Protection WERE NEcEs-
SARY TO PREVENT THE LARGE COMPANIES IN En-
ROPE FROM UNDERsELLING OUR MERCHANTS which
they would readily do, at considerable loss, if
IN
! trade"
The motion to lay specific duty on Teas was
adopted (R. ID. I'D ranging from to 90 cents
! per pound.
| The duty on Coal" Mr. Bland informed the
committee that there were mines opened in Vir-
GINA capable of supplying the whole of the U.
STATES, and IT some restraint ,Uere laid upon the i'm
porfafton Of foreign Coal, those mines might be
| Worked TO afvaDiage.'
| Here we have distinct proposition for PRO-
TEcTivE DUTY from Virginia member for Viz
ginia INTEREST," 1t will not be pretended that Re
venue had any thing to do with it-PRoTECrIoN,
and PROTECTION ALONE, was the object!
Mr. Hartley twas willing 10 admit moderate
duty. but thought three cents (the duty proposed)
would be great Encouragement TO those manu-
features which necessarily consume large quaint
ties of fuel. He moved one cent
| Mr. Parker of Va. said "ihat less sum than
three cents would not answer the purpose intend
was sold so low as almost to prevent the working
| OF their mines in Virginia. He hoped if the
committee were disposed TO ENCOURAGE THEM,
they would proportion the means to the end. a
duty OF one cent would be void. Nothing under
what was moved by his colleague (Mr Bland)
could answer the purpose. He hoped therefore
the committee would agree TO three cents
! The question being taken, was decided in IA
YOUR of three cents, Greg. Deb. I'D and Yirgi-
mia got Tie protection size required!
The duty on foreign tonnage being under dis
cusslon, MIR Ames said s. beg leave TO remark
In answer to a train of ideas which the gentleman
last up, has brought into view, that although in
teresl viii, in general, operate eiTectually to pro-
duce political good, yet there are cases in which
certain Fictitious circumstances may divert i
from its natural channel, or throw, or retain it il
an artificial one. Have we not been exercised or
this topic ioT long time past? On WHY HAS II
) BEEN NECESSARY TO GIVE ENCOURAGEMENT TO PAR
TIcULAR SPECIES OF INDUSTRY, BUT TO TURN TIL
STREAM in FAVOUR OF AN INTEREST THAT woULr
NOT OTHERWISE SUCCEED"
Mr. Baldwin of Georgia." observed that th
question immediately before the committee wa
Of less Importance than the one which had beer
argued by the gentleman from Virginia, mr. Ma
dson,) and the gentleman from n. y. (NIr Law
? rence) lie was glad TO have this question dis
cussed, ana thought the gentleman had very pro
, perry called an the public sentiment. as an drgu
/ mcnt for his motion in fdrour of discrimination
But the gentleman over the way wants evidence
of what the public sentiment Isl think we nav
a strong proof Of what the public sentiment is
{ IN THE VERY EXISTENCE or THE House. Thi
/ sentiment he believed to be the cause Of the Re
i. volutlon under which we are about TO act; Th
commercial restrictions Great Britain placed o
. our commerce, pursuing her selfish policy, CAV
rise to an unavallng clamor, and excited the fet
Bile attempt which several of the State Legisl;
u lures made, TO counieract the detestabie Iegult
9 lions Of commercial enemy. But these provin
81, alfooc thpr tuefTpctu,1 a.. n