Independent Democrat., 1844-07-27

thinks will answer his purpose. reao
the extract as find it published in the
National Intelligencer, over the sighatufe
Of my colleague:
ale [Co Polk was opposedto to direct TAX
es, ,and to prohibitory and protective duues,
and in favor of such moderate dunes as
would not cut of importations. IN
lOTHER WORDS, He WASiN FAVOR
lOF REDUCING THE DUTIES TO
THE RATES OF THE COMPKO-
MISE ACT, WHERE THE WHlG
CONGRESS FOUND THEM ON The
3Oth OF JUNE, 1S42."
| After reading this extract from the
speech of Col. Polk, as evidence OF his
opinions upon the tariff, my colleague pro-
nounces him unworthy the support OF the
support Of the American people, because
ofthose opinions. These opinions are oP-
posed to direct taxation, and to prohiblto-
lry duties, according to the principles oi
1.-The compromise act. Because Col. Polk
has expressed these opinions, my colleague
considers him unworthy of popular favor.
! presume my colleague does not wish to
be understood as ebjecting to HIM because
he is opposed to direct taxation and pro-
hibitory duties. A system of prohibitory
duties, whether adopted on the plea OF
protection, or for any other professed OBJ
iect, would lead necessarily to direct tax
alton. Fo,, if we prohibit the importa-
ton Of foreign goods, no duties will be
collected, and no revenue received. The
only resource left would be, resort to a
svsten Of direct taxation for the support
Of tie government. To such measure
! Coi. Polk is opposed, and, in lieu, Of 1t,
/ advocates moderate tariff, according TO
l,he principles of the compromise act,
(which would raise sufficient revenue to de.
| fray the expences Of the government, ana
at the same time give incidental pro'ec-
tion 10 the products Of American labor,
i confess my surprise at my colleauge's 8
UNQUALIFIED denunciation of these sentl-
ments. The last time | had the pleasure
ioflsasisg my colleague mako Il political
speech before the people Of our own Slate,
he was loud, if not eloquent, IN bis praises
Of the compromise act, and eulogized Its
author as the great paciiicaior who had
restored peace to his country by the adop-
| ton of this great, good, and wise measure,
as he then considered 1t. Is 1t possible
that the nature and character of this mea-
Lsure have entirely changed, or that the
opinions Of my colleague in regard to its
merits have SO far undergone change,
as to indnce him to pronounce the mea-
sure itself wicked and vicious, and the
supporter of it unworthy the confidence Of
his countrymen2 Is not my colleague
aware that this blow, although aimed at
Col. Polk, passes by him and strikes Mr..
Clay, and, indeed, the whole whig party?
Henry Clay was the author OF the COM
promise act, wrote it with his own hand,
introduced it into the Senate, and claimed
the merit of its passage. That one mea-
sure constituted the entire stock of Mr.
Claws political capital from 1888, to
1910. # was the pride and boast OF his
friends and his party. During the can
vass of 1910, he was committed to IFS
support. "Iippecanoe and Tyler" were
pledged to the compromise act. General
Harrison was elected as the candidate, on
the score of availability, with the promise
on the part of his friends that he should be
treated with generous confidence, with.
out making any further declaration Of
principles for the public eye. Tcihis end
he was required to be mum, and was plac.
! ed under The guardianship Of a committee
through whom all communications were
to pass and repass, and responses given (
different parts of the country, North, South
East and West, in accordance with tht
local interests and popular feelings o
, each particular section. This system
worked admirably, until the Gagged candl
dale, getting resiive in his confinement
broke loose from his keepers, and strayet
off through the State OF Ohio, making
speeches to the assembled multitudes II
support Of has peculiar sentiments. UpoF
4 The subject Of the tariff, he was The ayow
cd advocate of the compromise act.
i Mr.. Schenck, interrupting Mr.. ID salt
he was present at the time. and knew al
about il, and asked leave to explain.
i Mr.. Douglass. If the gentleman from
Ohio was present, will hear his explana
!, iion.
q Mr.. Schenck. To what time and plac'
did the gentleman allude!
i Mr.. Douglass. The gentleman says III
was there, and knows all about 1t.
/, ought then to enquire of him as to th'
T. time and place, as he was an eye witness
Il Mr.. Schenck persisted in his inquiry
To what time did the gentleman allude!-
Was it to Fort Meigs? That was the on
al Iy time to which he could allude. 1t wa
the first time he had left his home and ad
i dressed the people, and Mr.. 5. was wit
a him.
n L LonI;nn ;nforninn III