The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-07-19
From the Pe,,nsylpan,ass.
rum Wc LcfsWoJsSufssesse'.
Mr.. POLK ON THE TARIFF,
AND MR.. CLAY ONT,HE SINE SUBJECT

MR.. POLK ON THE TARIFF,
AND MR.. CLAY O.N1.HE SINE SUBJECT
We have been much amused by the
efforts Of the whig journals to make a
small quantity of capital out Of what
they are pleased to term Mr.. Folks
hostility to the tariff. Selecting as is
the approved fashion among the Bares
and the Borers and their congeners, a
passage from one speech, carefully
Withholding all that explains or qualities
or vindicates it, and then adding to it
another equally curtailed of its proper
tions, it requires an expenditure rather
Of conscience than ofingenuity to make
the opinion of statesman whatever
for the time mas be easiest to combat
or complain Of. Seemingly in antici-
patton of this convenient mode of war
fare on the Democratic candidate, a
friend of his addressed him letter
some weeks ago, inviting from him a
succinct expression of his views on the
policy of protecting home industry
Mr.. Polk's clear simple reply has been
handed US for publication.
That our readers may the more read
lily compare the views of the two Pres
idential candidates upon the same top
ic, we annex the latest expression
of those of Mr.. Clay, as promulgated
during his recent visit 10 North Caro-
lima, and now published under his i'm
mediate sanction. 1t will be seen that
both gentlemen propose to raise, by a
tariff on foreign imports, whichever
sum may be requisite for an economical
administration of the government, and
so to adjust the tariff for that purpose
as by proper determinations to foster
and protect our domestic industry.
FROM MR.. CLAY's RALEIGH SPEECH.
"We must reject both the doctrines
Of free trade & Of high and exorbtant
tariff. The partizans Of each must
make some sacrifices of their peculiar
opinions. They must find some COM
mon ground, on which both can stand,
and reflect that, if neither has obtained
all that it desires, it has secured some
thing, and what it does not retain has
been gotten by its friends and country
men. There are very few who dissent
from the opinion that, in time Of peace
the federal revenue ought to be drawn
from foreign imports, without resorting
to internal taxation. Here is a basis
for accommodation, and mu tual salts
faction. Let the amount, which, is re-
quisite for an economical administra-
ton OF the government, when we are
not engaged in war, be raised exclu-
siveIy on foreign imports, and in ad-
justing tariff for that purpose, let such
determinations be made as will foster
and encourage our own domestic indus
try. All parties ought to be satisfied
with a tariff for revenue and discrimina-
tons for protection.
MR.. POLK'S LETTER
COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE,
June l9, 1344.}
DEAR SIR:--I have received recent
Iy several letters in reference to my
opinions on the subject of the tariff,
and among others, yours of the 30th
ultimo. My opinions on this subject
have been often given to the public.
They are to be found in my public acts,
and in the public discussions in which
| have participated.
am in favor OF tariff for revenue,
such one as will yield sufficient a.
mount to defray the expenses of the
Government economically administer
ed. In adjusting the details Of
revenue tariff, have heretofore sane
toned such moderate discriminating
duties, as would produce the amount OF
revenue needed, and at the same time
afford reasonable incidental protection
to our home industry. | am opposed
to a tariff for protection merely, and not
for revenue.
Acting upon these general principles,
it is well known that gave my support
to the policy of General Jackson's ad-
ministration on this subject. l voted
against the tariff act of 1898. lvoted
for the act of 1892, which contained
notifications of some of the objection
able prov visions of the act Of 1928. AS
a member Of the Committee of Ways
and Means of the House Of Represen-
tatives, l gave my assent 10 a bill re-
ported by that committee in December
1882, making further notifications of
the act of 1928, and making also dis,
ordinations in the imposition Of the du-
ties which it proposed. That bill did
not pass, but was superseded by the
bill commonly called the Compromise
Bill, for which voted.
In my judgment, it is the duty of
the government to extend, as far as it
may be practicable to do so,by its rev.