Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1844-08-14
POLHTICALo
From The Charleston Mercury.
PRESIDENTIAL CANrIDArEs-THE
TARIFF.

either of the great parties OF the Union ior
relief from the expressions of the Iarlh.
The mighty concentrated money power
of monopoly is uniformly brought to bear
upou. legislation as often as the protective
system is in danger--with what results lei
the past answer. The cries and tears Of
the infant crocodile proved an overmatch
for reason and justice ard the Constitution
what hope then that they can subdue
and deprive of his prey the full grown
monster!
Not oulyi is the power of the Tariff'Parly
resistless 10 corrupt legislation, but they
are armed with spell over candidates for
Office. Well Informed men knew beyond
doubt where Mr.. Clay's desires and Prin-
eiples tended-his whole past life was
pledge that he was for high protective
tarif-never has he voted willingly for
any o,her-never has he omitted an oppor-
tuni,y to, aggravate and strengthen that ac-
cursed sytem. Yet, MIR. Clay. from nat
ural love of deception, or a contempt oi
the people, or wish to explore the ex-
treme limits Of humbug, has ever lodged
the explicit avowal of such G principle,
and played off infinite fiummery about
moderation, compromises. revenue purpo-
ses and incidental proleclion-till The mere
reader of his letters and speeches, one who
had no key to his words in his votes, would
never suspect his true position. The man-
ufaclurerers were not content with the
pledge of The past, however-,hey rightly
judged that politician who could jusSle
the South, miskt take fancy TO jugsle
the North too, and they, Immediately de-
termined to drive Mr.. Clay from his doub-
lings and fix him irrevocably. They ex-
tracted from him, under date Of June 20,
1874, the following explicit declaration:
'lharc euery achere maintained that, IN
adjusting tariff for revenue discrimina-
ticns ought to be made .forprotsction; that
the tariff Of 1912 has operated most 5ene-
.feially. and that l aim utterly opposed to
its repeal"
The tariff of 1915 is definite enough
and Mr.. Clay has no need to write any
more. We have only earnestly 10 request
that all editors who support him will pub
lish his lelter-which they seem little in-
clined to do at the South.
But the manufacturers were not otcontent
to hook Mr.. Clay-they have baited hook
for Mr.. Polk also. They seem resolved
that all who are not with them, shall, If
possible, be driven into an equivocal posi-
lion that shall distract and discourage their
opponents. 49,
When the nomination of Mr.. Polk was
made, we EXPRESSED our cordial and en-
tire acquiescence in the choice. We had
the pledge OF his votes as well as his word
-he had never given vote for protection
-he had supported every measure tend
ing to bring The duties to revenue stan
dard. We had too. his declarations on the
questions of the tariff in its latest phrase,
made during bis las, canvass for Governor
Of Tennessee. Thus on The 18th May,
1913, 10 answer 10 questions abour direct
taxes, revenue tariff and protection, he re-
piled as follows:
81 answer that am opposed TO sys-
tenn of direct taxation, and am in favor
Of moderate scale of duties, laid by a
tariff on imported goods. for the purpose
of raising the revenue which may be needed
for the economical administration of the
Government. In fixing The rates of ta
riff, my opinion is, that the object in view
should be 10 raise the revenue needed by
the Government, leaving the interests en-
gagged in manufacturers to enjoy the in
cidental advantages which the levy of such
duties will afford to them.
JAS. X. POLK.
On the 29lh Of the same month, in still
more public manner, Mr.. Polk made dec
lara,ions still more explicit, as follows:
To the People Of Tennessee:
The object which / had in proposing to
Governor Jones, al CarroIlville, on The
l2,h Of August last, that we should each
write out aud publish our views and opin.
ions on the subject Of the tariff, was, that,
our respective positions might be distinctly
known aud understood by the people. Thut
my opinions were already fully and dis
timely known. could not doubt. lhad
steadily, during the period soas repre-
sentative IN Congress, been opposed TO a
protective policy, as my recorded votes and
public speeches proue. Since retired from
Congress,I had held the same opinion.
In the present canvass for Governor had
avo,ced my opposition to The tariff act OIL
the late Whig Congress as being highly pro.
tective in its character, and not designed by
its authors as a revenue measure. had
ayowed my opiuion in my public speeches
thai the interests Of the coun,ry-and es-
pecialIy of The producing and exporting
Stales-required its repeal, and the resto-
ration Of the principles Of the compromise
tariff act of l843.n J. X. POLK.
Wha, could be more clear and unequiv-
ocal than thIs-s,rengthened TO the utmost.
100, by the whole course Of his acts on the
tariff question.
Immediately after the nomination, these
proofs of his entire Identification with the
free trade, or revenue tariff party were
published at the North and he was de-
nounced as might be expected by the plum
derers, who had gained vested right in