The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1844-08-01
"POLK AND FREE TRADE"

| iotN AND hEfI IL AIDE"
This is the new watch-word of the wings
bur like their usual superstructures, i:
built upon sand.
Gov Polk has never avowed himself in
favor OF free trade" and the wing papers
we'll know it, His speeches in congress
and at other times, conclusively show tina,
he is in favor of a moderate, stable and dis.
terminating revenue Tariff. lie holds
that when the power of discrimination is
exercised by Congress, i, should be in IA
vor OF those articles used by the poorer
classes. Is not this sound American doc.
trlne?
Gov. Polk is committed in favor Of a
revenue Tariff discriminating in behalf of
American labor, and he holds decidedly, in
unison with the National Democratic Con.
ventlon, "that justice and sound policy
forbid the federal government to foster one
branch of industry to the detriment of an.
other, or TO cherish the interests of one
portion to the injury of another portion o t
our common country"
On this broad and equitable basis. Gov.
Polk during the last year, has repeatedly
avowed himself opposed to many ol the
partial provisions Of the tariff of AZ. lie
has taken the most uncompromising stand
against the present enormous duties on
sugar and Understanding from 60 to
l4O per cent,-which he Justly deems an
oppressive tax on the toing millions of
our country. lie has also exposed the in
justice of the heavy duty on coarse wool.
lens, coarse cottons and cheap silks.
TO these details Of that tariff he stands
opposed, and we desire that every voter in
the country should know it, for these posi-
tons are sound and democratic and will
be popular. The eyal,ation of capitai a.
bove nbor, is the too certain effect of
many of the provisions of that Tariff, to
be ultimately popular or to meet with favor
from SO clear-headed democrat as James
X. Polk.
Gov Polk, on the Tariff as on other
great questions, is emlnen;ly safe states
man. He favors moderate tariff, as IN.
dIspensablc to revenue, because it contains
the element of Stability, and it should be
remembered that a nst stability in tariff
enactments, furnishes the only hope of
steady and sure reward to labor. Ultra
legislation reacts with fearful power on the
laborcr 1t grinds HIM to death. 1t may
give him feast one day, but soon comes
famine, so sure as the rebound follows
the bend of the bow. High tariffs on
manufactures act very much like a hot
bed on plants. 1t forces them into a pre-
mature growth and rlpeness. The first
chill kills them. They require constant,
unwearied, and we therefore say partial
protection. On the contrary, if they are
let alone, or tended with no excess of care,
they grow up perhaps slowly but steadily,
surely and vigorously. They are well in
ured to the vicisstudes of change, and
stand firmly against all assaults, as monu-
ments of wisdom, of permanencc and of
enduring prosperity. Is not therefore o
stable moderation in duties, at once sound
in its policy and democratic IT, its tenden-
cies!
On this strong and impregnable ground,
on the Tariff question, stands Gov. Polk.
1t is the ground of the millions who live by
their daily labor. 1t is the poor mans
side. 1t is that of those who have no cap
tal IN the world but stout hands and an
industrious spirit. We doubt not every
effort will be made by the Lords of the
LOOM" and the kin partsans of Henry
Clay, TO misreprescnt Gov Folks position
to excite hostility against him among
the people OF the north, on the false plea
that he is against protecting their labor,
when in truth. he is opposed to still farther
Strengthening and extending by partial
legislation, the already overgrown power of
Capital
1Nny ArgnS.