The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-02-08
ADDRESS OF MR.. WISE ON THE
TARIFF

TARIFF.
We proceed with our extracts from Mr.
Wise's address to his constituents and cores
poudenls in 1912.
We think that if the expositionsof MIR. WISE
be deliberately considered, no candid mind can
avoid being convinced that the ''vexed ques-
tion" Of the tariff is made TO assume the true
aspect; and that instead Of being bone of con
tention, or a firebrand TO destroy the Union, The
principle on which il should be adjusted, will be
acknowledged to be one of exceeding fairness
and simplicity. N
To supply ''ihe wants Of the Government"
il must be admitted by all, is the primary object
of the tariff Without such object and necessi-
~, surely no one would advocate tariff. But ii
is also admitted byevery one, and in all sections,
that such necessity does exist, and that direct
taxation cannot be resorted TO. Then il follows
that the tariff system Of the Union must be the
Joint or combined production of all the members
Of the Confederacy, each having equal rights.
whatever discrepancies there may be in the fed
eral representation. The Constitution of the
Republic guarantees equal rights and immuni-
ties: so that If the policy of twenty five of the
States should affect the rights of the remaining
one, they would have TO abandon their policy,
or dissolve the compact. But without regard
ing the subject as one involving a grave consii-
,utonal question, still, we repeat that to be per.
manent, and productive of good ends, the tariff
must have the sanction of all the States and
Mr.. Wise contends, as we believe most sue
cessfully, that the sanction of all can easily be
had, If it be based on fair principle. That
principle must comprehend COMPROMISE of all
the interests to be affected And when the
principle is agreed upon and established there
can be no farther difficulty If a moderate re-
venue only be required by the Government, the
taxes will be light; if war, or any other contn-
gency, should require an enormous revenue, we
venture to assert that each member of the Con
federacy would cheerfuly bear its proportion of
the burden. Under such circumstances, if any
State should refuse to contribute its proportion,
it would forfei, its claim to remain IN the Union
The principle Of the COMPROMISE Acr-a
principle acceded to by the leaders of different
parties, and from different sections-as is clearly
shown by Mr. Wise, is one which can recon.
Gle all differences and allay all strfes
And we would remark that the manufac,u-
ring interest m,4st be protected by any tariff.
based on any principle, which supplies the trea-
sury with revenue. 1t may be called either
incidental or accidental protection But
by whatever name it may be called, il will be
found to be inevitable. No tariff can be de-
vised, by which sufficient revenue will be pro-
duced to meet the expenses of an economical
administration Of the Government, that will not
afford sufficient protection to "home industry
To such an extent has the enterprise of our citi-
zens gone, in every branch of industry, that no
table Of articles, such as are not manufactured
In this county, the duties on which would Weld
anything like sufficient revenue, can be framed
But we proceed with our extracts:
The first question with me then was whether the
actual wants of the Government required additional
duties. The compromise act settled great principles
and set up standards to conform 10 rather than mere
details. II liked for example, the rule TO be- that du-
ties should be a'd only for revenue that the maxi
mum standard amount Of revenue should be, for an
economical administration of Government 20 per
cont al vaorem on all imports after June, 1892 and
th,t the duties were 10 be raised lowered above or
below that standard, according the exigencies of
the Government. ii did not provide what should be
the exact rate Of duties any given case IL neces
sary, then, to raise the duties above 20 per cent il
was obviously easy 10 conform 10 the spirit of the
compromise act, without impairing any of its leading
principles or any Important interests Of The nation de-
pendent upon its faithful execution accord ing 10 its
true intent and meaning.
To determine whether il was necessary 10 raise the
duties above 20 per cent ad valorem one had only 10
look to the condition Of the Treasury and TO the
state Of the Union. lst We had a public debt of
twenty millions, in rouod numbers; and | never was
one OF those who believed public debt national
blessing ID. Our foreign relations were in a very
threatenIneaspcct, and the public deiences were ali
IN dLspidstion and neglect Sd. Public credit the
Government credit, State and Federal, was in a con
dition Of d'shonor Alb. The proceeds Of the public
lands were to ba vast for good whatever whilst
duties on imports remained at 20 per cent; and 9Th
Curr'n' expenses had to be met the wheels of Go
vernment had to stop.
In this state of affairs and looking abeaJ ,,, TO-
day, hut for ten years to come estimated the wants
Of the Government, on the lowest scale, to be as
follows; 4
Civil list 81. SOC, 900
Misceaneous 25OOOO0
army 5000 900
.1"'an department and pensions 4,5OOeOO
Navy 1n,o 200
interest on Poonc dtbt 2Oo 600
intres, on amount Tor surplus fund 100000
Annual amount of sinking fund to pay
of the public deb, in ten years 1000 600
Gross amount required s25, OOO, 600
Deduct the probable annual amount of
proceeds OF public lands for the same 100000
mere would DC S2J 500 600
to be collected from customs alone
Thus then, could not hesitate TO Weld to the con.
v'ction alter making all due allowances for heir,
crease OF revenue, importations would rev,vc .,,