The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-03-30
COMMUNIC Alto N.
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE PROTECT
I'VE POLICY-NO. l.

The changes which have taken place in the
political views Of the great parties which divide
the country, is one Of the most striking OF the
many proofs which may be given OF The lnilu-
ence of names in uniting men, long alter !he
principles which the names denoted have under
zone complete alteration. This, no douot, IS
partly owing to the influence of those connect,
ing causes which induce those who have acted
together for any specific purpose, TO continue III
combination for the pursuit OF common ocJec's
of policy. The experience OF The necessity OF
cooperation, in order that an impression on Tue
concerns OF the country, and me graoa,ioh ny
which nublic measures change their aspect, may
lead men very conscientousy to promote at one
time objects very different from those which
,bev have resisted The vital energy, and the
verv existence of the Federal Constitution, de-
nends however, SO much on the maintenance OF
public principle in public men, that the estima.
lion of the people is very Justly dispensed to
those who are concerned in the management OF
the affairs of the nation, very much according TO
the rectitude of their public conduct-that is, to
the consistency of the general tenor of the views
which they support, or to the perfect purity from
all suspicion of self interest in the changes Whch
their opinions may undergo.
Among the various subjects Of financial policy
which now form the topics OF discussion, that
which most nearly, most Immediately, and most
deeply concerns us, are the views which have been
started as to changes in the Tariff system, by the
Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means.
The aphorism Of Lord Bacon, which has been so
frequently quoted, can never be too often repeat
ed as caution on occasions like these: That all
innovations in great systems OF national policy
should be effected in imitation of those silent and
imperceptiple permutations which result from
the continued and insensible accommodation
which time brings about in the practical opera
lion Of an established policy to the changes
Al rF
TO which that policy belongs. 1t is not my in
tention to enter into an elaborate argument in
defence of the tariff policy, but shall attempt
in this number something like systematic ex-
position of the Legislation of the country in rela-
ton to the policy heretofore pursued by the Fed
eral Government, in extending its protective
influence and encouragement to particular
branches of domestic industry, in the shape Of
duties; and fatter myself that shall demon.
strate most conclusively that this much con.
demned policy owes its origin to the Republican
party-to those who now denounce the whole
system as ultra Federal and violative Of the
principles Of the Federal Constitution.
The writer's for the journals opposed to Mr.
Clay, have arragned him, on party grounds, ano
in the most abusive manner, for his support of q
tariff for revenue, discriminating in its operations
and efording incidental protection to our domes-
usucs u n1stiiily to repHuiicay pst..sras, anu an
overt act Of opposition to the Republican party.
In their structures on this subject, they have al
ways omitted to state, that the revolutionary pa
triots of the land, as we'll as the Simon pures Of
the Locofoco party viz Jackson, Van Buren,, Cal
houn, Johnson, aud Benton, voted for the estab-
lshment of the protective policy nor in any of
their datribes on this fruitful topic have they ever
presented to their readers. anything like a true
exposition of the facts ] cannot stop to enter
into any minute examination of the subject, but
shall endeavor, in few words, to recall history
into the path of truth.
Mr.. Clay, it is said, is friendly to a regulation
of the tariff of duties, with view to the encour-
agement of American manufactures; and this is
DANGEROUSLY urged against him as serious OBJ
lection to his political principles.
This objection seems to have been treated be-
fore the public as if Mr.. Clay were the founder of
new system. So far is he from being the foun-
der OF this abused system, that it can be traced
to the earliest and purest times of the republic,
when the Father of his Country presided over it's
destnes. Before the adoption of the Federal
Constitution, the power of regulating commerce
and imposing duties on imports, belonged to the
State governments and such of the States as
deemed it expedient, regulated the tariff of du-
ties as to give encouragement to their manufac-
lures The Constitution transferred to the Fed
eral Government, by an express provision, the
power of regulating commerce and of imposing
uutlcS. xAu dCt pdSSeu dL lne HTSL beSSlOU OI the
first Congress held under the Constitution, advo-
Gated by James Madison, and signed by George
Washington on the 10Th July, 1889, contains the
first tariff of duties imported goods laid by the
General Government and its preamble rectes
that it was necessary for the support of Gov
eminent, for the discharge of the debts of the
United States, and the ENCOURAGEMENT AND PRO-
LECTION OF MANUFACTURES" This system was
supported by every succeeding administration, by
the elder Adams TnAaroop II Madison
and Monroe (3) This policy of protecting man.
nfactnres was recommended by them all ; the
tariff was increased from time to time with view
to that object; and yet no champion of the Con-
sttution, though many bold and able there were,
always at their post ever charged the author of
these measures with the design of subverting
the Federal Constitution. HAMPDEN.
(D Mr.. Jefferson, 1871: 1t will rest, therefore,
"mheer prohibition shall moi be opposed 10 prohibition