Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-08-14

focl Is inc most solemn, the most resp0n-
slble, and the most liable to be perverted
into abuse and oppression especially in
such a Government and country as ours,
where one vast and distinct geographical
section is enabled, by the numerical SUI
Periority Of its representation in the Fed.
erel Legislature, to sway the sceptre over
another vast and dissimilarly situated sec
ton. Once concede TO such Govern
ment the right to use the taxing powe. as
constitutional means of aiding, adyanc-
ing, and protecting all ssthe different
branches of American industry" md
what is The consequence Our rights, our
safety, and interests are in the hands Of
others; and those others, people distant
from US, little identified, and sill less SYM
pathizing within and who lie under the
strongest temptations that can act upon
poor human nature to employ this taxing
power as an engine for enriching, strength.
ening, and aggrandizing themselves. 1t
is impossible to deny that the whig party
in Congress and the country is a party
rallying and acting, with fearful unanimty
and energy, avowedly upon the ground of
giving this dangerous and despoiic direc-t
ton to the exercise of the taxing power.
The Tariff of 1912, their most cherish.
ed measure, is the legislative embodiment,
the practical enforcement and realization
of that branch of the policy of the strong.
er section Of the Confederacy, which goes
upon the principle of using the power of
taxation for the substantive and direct pur-
pose of fostering the interests and increa-
sing the emoluments of individuals in their
private pursuits and pecuniary investments.
1t is Tariff, such as the protectonists
themselves demanded and obtained from
the last Congress, restoring the protective
system upon the ruins Of the Compromise.
Such is the true character of the Tariff Of
1912; and those who attempt to soften it
down by kindly phrases into "Tariff for
revenue, with incidental protection to the
different branches of American industry.r
do but cheat themselves with words. and
lose sight of the hard substance and reality
of things.
But enough of the protective Tariff
system. We come next to its twin brother
and inseparable comprehensive system
of Internal Improvements by the general
Government--another leading measure of
wing policy. The present Congress has
passed two bills of this character, invoIv-
ing appropriations of about half million
of dollars each, for the improvement of
rivers and harbors. One of these bills
that for the Eastern rivers and harbors--
has been defeated by the Presidents veto:
whilst the other--that for the Western
rivers and harbors--has, rather inconsist-
emily, received his sanction.
The whole of the Southern wings have
not yet surrendered their old Southern
principles on this subject. Those from
North Carolina, and some others, voted
with me against these bills. With these
the wings in the House appear,
by their votes, as unanimous for the ex.
penditure Of money for these objects, an
they are for imposing duties for protection.
Many of the Northern and Western de-
vote with the wings in favor of
these appropriations; for, like the protect
i've Tariff system, which taxes the whole
country for the benefit of the protected
the Internal Improvement sys-
EN-, which takes money raised by taxa
ion from the whole country, and applies
t TO local purposes, is strong enough to
et all party lines at defiance in the strong
n section Of the Union. 1t is not unfre-
luently matter of competition between
he wing and democratic members from
hat region, which shall 60 furihest and do
he most in the way of getting the public
money applied TO these objects. Could
'ou witness the warmth and fierceness
With which they struggle for these appro-
You would at once perceive how
learly the whole system deserves the title
f a money-luae and money engine in the
ands of the Government, or of those who
ule or are seeking TO rule it. Yes, gen.
emen, it is system by which the sec
onal majority of this Union, as repre-
ented in the Government, will forever
rostitute the taxing power to local and
ectional public works and Improvements.
md throughout the North and West, no
official party could sustain itself that
Mould take stand in opposition to this
ollcy. These bills are usually passed by
oncert and combination among the mem
efs from those sections--in other words,
what is called the 'log.rolllng SYSTEM
hey frequently contain some very pro.
er and unobjeciionable appropriations;
ut then they are loaded down with others
war with the Constitution and a wise
nd justpolIcy. Hence the habit of Sou
fern men has heretofore been to set their
ices against the whole system. The de.
gn and effect Of the system is, 10 present
n inducement for supporting high Tariff
those portions Of the North and West
hitch are MT On fsn;.,. IL. .o.,.I l., The