Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1844-12-05
MUA HAanRMR

Tho LEGISLATURE q this State assembled It C6l-
umhiaun thO a5sh ult. Hon. AsaUs RAxEzRso1s,
q the Barnwsll District, vs. ehOssA president q
The Senate, ana Mr.. WIS., r. CoEcoCK, Il Princes
william, Speaker Of the House. On the following
day che Mss.agS q Governor Hammond was pre-
ssnAed 10 the two HOusea A large portion Of il ID
Of course devoted to topics Of mere local interest.
but the passages in which the Governor discusses
the Tariff and Texas questions are decidedly rich.
and in the present OfpaEtes altogether Ton
important to Be overlooked We therefore copy
80 much q relates 10 the tariff twill be seen
that His Excsllency has but poo. opinion Of the
Northern LOcoGocos. But listen to the message!
Tie TavI0-tRe CoMpvensise .Aee.
cannot omit to invite you to Al earnest eonsid.
GRAFTON Of Federal aiFs and the peculiar relations
Of this State 10 the Federal Government, which
have become highly interesting and important
form an epoch in our history. With the events
which preceded, and the circumstances under
which the act Of Congress called the Compromise
Act was passed, you are familiar. That act was in
fact treaty, made between belligerent parties.
with arms in their hands, solemnly ratified by the
Federal Government on the one part and Conven-
ton Of the State Of South Carolina on the other and
treaty wa ever made more important in its chal-
actef, or more sacredly binding in ito obligations.
By that treaty South Carolina bound herself to
submit for nine years longer 10 IN unconstitutional
and most oppressive Tariff. in consideration that
Ito exactions should be gradually reduced during
that period, and that after the expiration Of il no
higher Tariff should again be levied than was ne
cessary TO detay the expenses Of an economical i'd
ministration Of the Government; and that the rate
Of duties should in no event, but tho emergency Of
war. exceed twenty per cent. I'd valorea. Our
State faithfully adhered to the compact, and %.
tiently bore the heavy burden which had been i'm.
posed upQn her, r,
Tariff If is42.
In ls42, the period arrived for the Federal Gov.
eminent to fulfil ito stipulations, and reduce the
Tariff to twenty per cent. I'D valorem, or lower, II
90 much was not requisite for the support Of an
economical administration. But instead Of reduc.
ing them, the rate Of duties was increased-actual.
ly increased to point higher than the Tariff which
South Carolina had declared null and void within
her limits in 1882; which declaration led to the
Compromise Act. History furnishes no instance
Of grosser, more insulting breach Of faith while
lar government Of civilized country, 90 subver.
sive Of the rights and destructive to the interests
of any respectable portion Of ts people, the Ia.
riff Act Of ls42, considered in eli ito bearings is to
the rights and interests Of the Planting States Of
this Confederacy.
SosiA Cardiac fsvebors to Naivy. /,
It might naturally have been supposed, and
probably it was expected that this State, in confor
nifty with principles she had % long protested and
on which she had heretofore acted would immed.
ately nulify this Act; but she did not. Closely
united at the time with the great Democratic par
ty Of the Union on the general principles Of govern.
ent, and on certain questions Of federal policy Of
the utmost moment-seeing that this party had
carried the elections to the House Of Representa-
tives by large majority-and justly regarding it
as pledged to tree trade, and bound to repeal this
exoFbitant tariff, she paused and determined to
wait the action Of another Congress; thus furnish
ing fresh example of her patriotic forbearance.
and sincere devotion to the peace and integrity Of
the Union.
1teaeheyy Of ahe yvorasevn Loeetoeos.
The new Congress met, and has terminated ito
first session. Propositions were made in both
branches to modify the TariG and sgnally defeated
In the House, where the Democratic majority was
large, the proposition was disposed Of almost with.
out debate, and majority of the Democrats from
the States north Of the Potomac actually voted
against IL, while in the Senate, some Of the lead.
efs Of that party from the same section did 80 like.
wise.
Hope Essincs-yNo reliance on Northern Loco
Foc0s.
There seems, therefore, to be no reasonable, Or
even plausible ground, on which to rest hope
that this law, 90 UNCONSTITUTIONAL and % runous to
US. will ever be repealed, Or reduced to ne stand:
ard Of the Compromise. The friends Of the Tariff
do not appear to entettain the slightest idea Of
such thing. They have distinctly proclaimed II
to be the settled policy Of the Fredera Government
and, in fact, they scarcely conceal that they regard
ous further circumstances on the subject % intru-
sive and impertinent. Nor could we, after the Ut.
ter contempt which they have manifested for their
ulixhted faith. repOse with safety upon any conces.
sions which they might, BY circumstances, he
forced again to make.
With what confidence we may rely, on the 9th.
or hand, upon the northern section Of the Demo.
cratic party to carry out the free trade principles
which they profess. we are well edmonished by
the history not only Of the last session Of Congress
but Of the protective policy ITSELF The act Of
1873, the most stringent Of the Tariff acts, save
that Of ls42, was carried by the votes the Demo.
cratic leaders Of the State Of New York, given un
der very peculiar circumstances; and this last act
by the votes Of the Democratic leaders from the
same State, and from Pennsylvania. And It may
be regarded certain, that the friends Of the pro-
teclive system viii be able, ct all times, to com.
mand % many votes among the northern Democrats
40 may be necessary for their purposes.
TIE SoasA Divided.
Nor can we, fear, anticipate any demonstration
of such D fixed, determined and combined resis.
lance to that policy on the part Of the South, o.
will foTce the North to abandon II entirely. For
this apprehension there are many reasons, but one
ID paramount. Unfortunately, the Electors Of
President and Vice President are chosen By the
people, In al the Southern States except own.
They are, in consequence, at all times almost
equally divided about men; and interested politi-
clans spare pains to impress 1t on the voteFs,h
walton Of this o. that individual to the Presidential
Chair. In this exciting contest, measures and