The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-10-11
THE TARIEF.

Hon. S,las Wright, Democratic Candida,e for
Governor in New York, said at the Watertown
Mass Meeting:-
Every election brings with il to US matters Of
vast importance, dividing the two parties OF our
country This election has brought along with it,
with many others much discussed before you four
years ago, one Of pervading and universal interest
Irefer to the tariff II is vast question: ques-
tion of great complication; but believe, with
little of your calm, dispassionate reflection, and
fair draft on our candor, we can arrive at conclu-
sons clear and unquestioned even upon this intri-
cate subject What is the difference between the
two parties on this subject' Our opponents tell US
they are in favor Of protective tariff; and that
tariff, as they understand it, isa source OF almost
every blessing, individually and collectively, to
every portion Of the whole country. That we may
understand each other perfectly, let us first ascer-
tain, if we can, what we should properly under
stand by protective tariff for believe brief ex-
animation will satisfy us that confusion and mis-
application of terms has produced much difficult
ty on this great question as any other cause. But
frst to remove from our way, as democrats,
stumbling block which our ingenious opponents
place there-let us look at what they mean and
how we should understand them when they tell
you that we are the free trade party the country,
and refer you to portion Of our brethren at the
South who assume that name. II is a naisaPpii-
cation ofterms to u.s. We know and feel it. We
are not in favor offree trade in the proper, fair and
legitimate sense of these terms. Are our south
ern bretheren so? Do they desire repeal of all
duties, and that the necessary revenue shall be rails
ed by direcf taxation on property! cannot
answer any farther than am informed; but l will
give you in candor aud frankness the information
have. admit when saw this name assumed by
those who acted politically with me, at the South,
it startled and alarmed me. could not conceive
that men Of sense, information, of extensive prac-
tical experience should have adopted notions Of
that stamp, as practicable under our government.
On repairing to Washington at the commencement:
of the last session, finding that this subject must be
pressed on us for discussion and action, l went to
some of these Southern members Of Congress
whom had known many years, men of truth and
candor, and whom | had thought men of sound
views and said, al beg you to tell me, If you have
satisfied yourself that our revenue system is all
wrong-that we should no longer tax foreign i'm
ports to raise revenue to support government, but
have direct tax upon the property ofthe country'"
l"No," said the first man l asked, 81 entertain no
such opinion--never have, and know of none
D who do" swell then will you be good enough
TO tell me what you mean. You call yourself free
trade mani" "I do so, and mean this. / am
friendly to having the trade Of the country kept as
free as it can be kept, and raise the revenue neces-
sary for the support ofgovernment; and when it Is
SO, call II free trade, because il is as free as our
institutions will permit" "Then sir, you are in
favor of tariff for revenue, and of SO much duty as
may be necessary to support the government"
.'ro be sure-as much SO as yourself" And here
was the explanation. Though he called himself
free trade and anti.tarif man, he was in favor Of
tariff for revenue; and opposed only to tariff laid
for the mere purpose Of protection alone.
Mr.. w. went on to advert 10 another misapp-
cation Of terms. He said to these gentlemen that
he was 10 favor Of protective tariff, and the reply
was, "you are in favor Of heresy, an oppression,
an inequality in the administration Of the govern
ment" But what was protective tariff, in the