Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-06-21
POLITICAL.
SIP ~. Oh OF MIR. GEO. p. MARSH,
On the Tariff Bill, in the House of Representatives.
.4pru 30, 1914.

(coNcLupEp)
The avowed prime pile of the bill, that namely
of providing for revenue alone, is not merely op-
posed to the doctrine of Legislative protection-it
goes beyond this, and wars directly upon those in
terests which most require protection. A revenue
duty must be so framed as to invite importation. If
you discourage the importation of particular ar
ticle, you diminish or destroy your from it.
and ii you aim to draw the greatest amount of rev.
enue from each description of goods, you must SO
regulate your Tariff as to induce the greatest inn
portation of those goods. This you can do only
by giving the foreign producer preference over
the domestic in our own market. A revenue Tar
Ill, then, is such arrangement of duties as will
enable the foreign manufacturer to compete sue
cessfully with the native, and is consequently an
tagonisc, not only to that which is imposed for the
specific purpose of protection but to that more ra-
tional system so happily exemplified in the Tariff
of 1912, which, with singular felicity, combines
increase of revenue with competent protection to
most branches Of domestic industry.
| am aware that Northern Democrats in general
dare not openly avow hostility to home labor. Like
the chief priests and scribes Of old they "fear the
people," and even profess friendship for the cause
But this bill comes from the Democratic oracles.-
Soohsayers, of higher rank than the magi of this
House, have been taken into council, and mighty
astrologer has pronounced upon the horoscope
Doubtless the report speaks the real sentiments of
the party; and its policy is destined to be carried,
If the scattered and dlsplred legions of the De-
mocracy yet be rallied in sufficient strength to
wrest the victory from the growing and gathering
forces of shat army with banners" which has al
ready smitten them with panic terror 1t is in vain
to deny that the bill is calculated and designated
to overthrow the whole productive industry Of our
people and the friendship of the sef-stylcd DEM
ocrat for the laborer is like that of the Quaker
skipper for the enemy's captain who boarded his
vessel. "Friend," said Ichabod, hinging his Draw
Y
presume thee can SWIM" and so saying threw him
overheard.
i do not propose to inquire into the constitutional
power of Congress to egislate with view to pro-
tectlon for have not observed any constitutional
scrupes oppose any very serious obstacles in gen.
tlemens way, when avorite project is to be car
ried. Besides, these scruples particularly rife
among the very same class of politicians who en-
tertaned no doubt of the right of this single House
to exercise power in restricting the right of Pc
tiuon, which the express words of the Constitution
deny to Congress, and who, in tho case OF the four
recussant States, maintained the power OF the House
of Representatives to nullfy solemn act of the
National Legislature, passed in strict conformity
with the letter Of the Constitution Sir, have no
fear that gentlemen who swallowed those camels
will ever be strangled by so small gnat as this
The constitutional chollc, is indeed, grievous
complaint ottentimes an excrucatingly painful dis
ease but, happily, it is never mortal. Gentlemen
are frequently attacked by it--they sicken they
suffer. In the words Of the law, they langush and
languishingly do live, but die never. In the long
rows of our departed predecessors, in yonder Gem
, etry, you find the monuments Of those who have
fallen prey to death in all its varied shapes Gout
apopleXy, consumption, fever, and even the hand
of violence, each hath had its victims, but const
tutonal scruples, none. For such disorder, il
would seem superhuous to prescribe. Besides, the
very pis nledicuirir of nature sometimes originates
milder forms Of disease, by whose action the pee
cant humors of the system are carried Oft and dan
gerous organic chronic complaints are prevented
or healed. Who knows but this constitutional NAL
D ady may serve some like prophylactic or medica
3 tive purpose in our political system' These scru
Piles often Of excellent use, by way g apology
7 for voting with our party, and against the planes
reasons OF general good the interests of our
, constituents. Moreover, in debate, they are goo'
tub for the whale, and in party siege to di