The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-07-05
Fiom the N. 0. Com. Republican.

AllolS the last acts OF tne SENATE, was HlOtlon
10 lay on the table the Commercial Treaty concluded
with Germany by Mr. Wheaton. The motion pre-
vailed by the following votes
Yeas-Alessrs. Archer Barrow, Bates, Bayard,
Berren, Choate, Clayton Crttenden, Dayton, Evans,
Foster, Francis, Henderson, Huntington, Jarnagn,
Johnson, Mangum Merrck, Miller, -Morehead,
Pearce, Phelps, Simmons, Sturgeon, Tallmadge, Up
ham, and White--27.
Nays--Messrs Atchison, Atherton Bagby, Ben
ton, Breese, Colqutt, Fairfield, Fulton, Haywood,
Huger, Lewis, McDufie, Niles, Sewer, Tappan,
Walker, and Woodbury-l8.
The details of this treaty, of course, have not been
made public Its main features, however, are known.
1t proposes commercial arrangement with the veal
thy and populous States of Germany, which uni
ted into Customs Union, by means of which Ame-
rican tobacco rice, cotton lard &c., are to be ad
mtted at reduced rates into the German confedera-
ton, and certain articles of German manufacture,
such as linens lOOkinggasses, cutlery, toys, sc to
be received into the United States at moderate fixed
duties. reduction Of the duty on rice has hereto
fore been effected by the efforts of Government,
and the consumption of that article in the German
States greatly increased in consequence. The duty
on tobacco has been adhered to with the EXTREMIST
tenacy, the example of all Europe encouraging the
levy OF enormous taxation on that commodity, or a
Government monopoly of its trade. BY constant
exertlon, however, through series Of years,
compllshed Minister at Berlin has succeeded in OBJ
tanning the consent of the &c rman people, who are
among our best tobacco customers, to reduction Of
the burden as far as the American production is
cerned. Had the treaty by which this great
sion was obtained, gone into operation, it was conf
IDENTITY hoped that the force Of example, end the de-
sire to trade with the United States on as advanta
geous terms as those enjoyed by other nations in
their intercourse with US, would have led to similar
reductions Of the tobacco duties and restrictions else
where. The Senate, however, by strict party
vote, has put the treaty under the ban and the effect
ty no tn odd nnpttr afri
the existing regulations with regard to the introduc
ton Of tobacco throughout Europe
The population of the German States which com.
pose the Zoll Verein, and which are parties to the
dismissed project of treaty, is about q 600 900.
They consume already immense and increasing
quantities of our agricultural products, Especially
OF the staples enumerated above and on which
very low standard OF duties is proposed to be fixed
while we import from them comparatively little, and
mostly articles not produced in the United States
In every respect they are people with whom il de-.
sirablc TO cultivate friendly and libei al CONNER
cal intercourse. We have no rivalry with them.
commercial, maritime political On the contrary
there great affinity of feeling between those States
and our own--the combination entered into between
them embrace, in many particulars, the same OBJ
jects as the federation existing here and we derive
thence large and very useful portion of our foreign
immigration. No people Gas whole) in Europe
can compare with the German population in patience
industry thrift, sagacy, intelligence and the other
qualities which form the enduring superstiucture of
State nor in the virtues which compose its fo,n-
daiion 10 bring the Republic into closer relations
OF amity and commerce with such people, would
seem to be worthy OF some effort and, if necessary
of some sacrifice. Accordingly IT has been a promi-
hent object Of policy With our Government for many
years, TO open, on reciprocal basis an enlarged in
tercourse with them, and the unremittng exertions
oil Mr. wheaton, since his appointment thither, have
been given to that end 1t has so turned out that he
has succeeded, (perhaps at an unlucky moment
only to have his abors thwared, and made it is to
be feared, worse than useless.
The large consumption of American tobacco, by
the German people, and more especially its rapid in
crease, will show the importance, in pecuniary
point OF view, of our trade with the Zo Verein 10
1884 The import of our tabacco into the Customs
Union amounted 10 l4S ,322 zo.l centners or more
than 10000 600 of pounds, while in 1912 it amount
ed to 2i6 149 centners, nearly 81, 000, 900 of
pounds. OF the other articles of our production
enumerated in the treaty, we have not figures
before us to show either the demand its increase
but they have been very large, and are capable ia
that rich and numerous population Of great extern
sion
1t is possible that the treaty has Objectionable
points, which, rather than the principle on which il
is founded has induced the cavalier treatment it has
received at the hands Of the Senate ii was negoti-
ated however, under the auspices Of by all odds the
most accomp IIsbed diplomatic agent which coun-
try has abroad, gentleman of universal reputation
for the thoroughness Of his attsnments and his excel
lent discrimination and judgment 1t is reasouab e
TO suppose therefore, that The convention, com ng
| from LIS hands, well digested, and founded on
an equitable basis, and that its rejection was tri-
umph Of a local and already fostered interest over
the general and paramount claims of the agricultural
industry Of the country.