The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-07-05
THE ZOLL VEREIN TREATY

We find two papers, published in the Commercial
emporium OF this country taking ground in favor Of
The rejection of this treaty, and ustifying the Wing
majority Senate, for the act. We alude 10 the New
York Republic and Daily Plebeian. That the rejec
ton OF the treaty should be advocated by papers that
draw their support from the classes of people who
are directly interested in its ratification, is matter
OF surprise. That surprise has been increased in no
small degree 10 reading the arguments, adduced by
the editors OF those papers, ustyng the rejection
the treaty.
The Republic considers the action of the Execu-
i've 10 hasty. The Senate was called upon to act
without time being given for mature deIberation
But about ninety days had elapsed is said between
the time that the negotiations commenced and the
time the treaty submitted TO the Senate for its
| action.
The Plebean assumes different ground II re
CARDS the provisions in the treaty. STIMULATING for spe-
cited rates of duties articles enumerated the pro-
duct or manufacture of the German States on their
introduction into this country wholly unauthoriz
ed, new, and without precedent also that is an
encroachment on the legislative powers of Congress
and not sanctioned by the Constitution.
Now the editors Of both of those papers are so
deeply IN error that their arguments are entirely fall
iaclous They appear not to have kept themselves
accurately informed in relation to past events The
history of the country be familiar to them or
their recollecons have not served them with proper
precision.
The printed documents of Congress furnish the evil
dence that, as long since the year 1885, cores
Pondence was opened by our Minister at Berlin
with Baron de Weither, the Minister of Foreign AZ
fairs, on the subject Of obtaining a reduction of the
duty imposed tobacco on terms of reciprocity nd
1t notorious that the subject has been under con-
slant discussion, and pressed by direction of our Co.
vernmen up to the time the Treaty that has been re-
Jec'ed was accomplished. 1t was, therefore, no new
thing, nor were the Senate called on to act precioi-
lately. As we stated on former occasion, Mr. Mer-
rick, who voted for the rejection of the Treaty was
principal actor in Of the conventions held in
Washington, at which the action of Congress was
strongly invoked to induce the German States to re-
lax their course ofpoIicy favorable to the in,roduc-
ton of our tobacco, for in their territories
In regard to the provision contained in the Treaty
calling for stipulated of duties on certain ar,-
ces, the productions of the States with which we
were trading there nothing whatever new nor
unconstitutional We do not pretend that the rates
Of duties established by law can be altered without
the Legislative action of Congress. Treaties stipuIa-
ting for such alterations have been negotiated rali
fed by the Senate and the legislative action of Con-
gress had subsequently thereon. The treaty made
with France in 1884, requiring reduction of the do
ties on the wines of that country received such &C
ton Of the Senate and Of Congress in it's Legislative
capacity This is not an isolated case-there are a
number of others of the same character
There are no solid arguments reasons that can
be adduced, either in pallaon or justification of the
action ofthe Wing Senate, rejecting the Treaty. A
majority Of the States of this Republic have been de-
prveJ of and important markets for their stape
products-the commerce of the country has been de-
MED augmentation of employment and friends,
perhaps have been changed foes by the action OF
Wing Senators 10 gratifying their enmity TO John
TYLER