Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1845-03-08


cannot but feel deep interest in seeing all the
States meet their public liabilities, and pay of
their just debts, at the earliest practicable Pc
riod.
That they will do so, as soon as it can be done
without imposing too heavy burdens on their
citizens, there is no reason to doubt. The sound,
moral and honorable feeling o. the people of the
indebted States, cannot be questioned /; and we
are happy to perceive a settled disposition on
their part, as their ability returns, after season
of unexamped pecunary embarrassment, to pay
off all Just demands, and to acquiesce in any
reasonable measures to accomplish that object.
One of the difficulties which we have had to
encounter in the practical administration of the
government, cons sis in the adjustment of our
revenue laws, and the levy of the taxes neces.
sary for the support of government. Ia the
general proposition, that no more money shall
be collected than the necessities of an cconomi.
cal administration shall require, all parties seem
TO acquiesce. Nor does there seem to be any
material difference of opinion as to the absence
OF right IN the government TO tax one section of
country, or one class of citizens. or one occu-
patton, for the mere profit of another. "Justice
aud sound policy forbid the federal government,
to foster one branch of industry to the detriment
Of another, or to cherish the interests of one
portion to the injury of another portion of our
common country"
have heretofore declared to my fellow cii-
Zens, that, in "my Judgment it is the duty of the
Government to extend, as far as it may be prac-
ticable to do so, by its revenue laws, and all o.
ther means within its power, tar and Just pro-
lection to all the great interests ofthe whole
Union, embracing agriculture, manufactures,
the mechanic arts, commerce and navigation"
| nave also declared my opinion TO be "in ia
vor OF tariff for revenue" and that "in adjust
nf nrh farIH / hapo
toned such moderate discriminating duties as
would produce the amount of revenue needed,
and, at the same time, afford reasonable Incl.
denta' protection to our home industry" aud
that | was "opposed 10 tariff for protection
merely, and not Tor revenue"
The power Ito lay and collect taxes, duties,
imposts and excises," was an ind spensable one
to be conferred on the federal government,
which, without il, would possess no means of
providing for its own support In executing
this power, by levying tariff OF duties for the
support of government, the raising ofrt uenue
should be the object, and protection the incl
dent. To reverse this principle, and make pro-
lection the object, and reuenue the incident,
would be to infllct manifest injustice upon all
other than the protected interests. la lpvving
duties for revenue, it is doubtless proper to
make such determinations within the reUenue
principle, as will afford incidental protection
TO our home interests. Within the revenue Ii.
init ,hereis a discretion to discriminate be-
yond that limit the Iightful exercise OF the pow.
er is not conceded
The incidental protection afforded to our home
interests by determinations within the revenue
range, it is believed will be ample. In making
determinations, all our home interests should.
nst as practicable, be equally protected. The
largest portion of our people are agriculturists
O'hers are employed in manufactures com.
merce, navigation, and the mechanic arts.
They are all engaged in their respective pur.
suits, and their joint labors constitute the nation
al or home industry. To tax one branch of this
home industry for the benefit Of another, would
oeunluSt. No one of these interests can right.
fully claim an advantage over the others, or to
be enriched by impovershng the others. All
are equally entitled 10 the fostering care and
protection of the government
In exercising sound discretion in Ievvinp
discriminating duties within the Limits prescrib.
ed, care should b. taken that it be done in
manner not 10 ben fit the wealthy few, at the
expense of the toillng millions, by taxing loDea
the uxuries of life, or articles of superior quail
ty and high price, which can only be consumed
by the wealthy and Highest the necrssa ries of
life, or articles coarse quality and low price,
which the poor and great mass of our people
must consume.
The burdens of Government should as far as
practicable, be distributed Justly and equally a..
mong all classes OF our population. These ge-
neral views, long enterts Ined on this subject.
have deemed II proper To reiterate It is sub
iect upon which conflicting interests of sections
and occupations are supposed to exist and a sp-
rlt of mutual concession and compromise in ad-
jus'ing its details should be cherished bv every
part of our widespread country, as the only
cnfnr .inr har, a,A "A
acquiescence Of oil in the operation of our re.
venue laws.
Our patriotic citizens in every part of the U.
uion will readily submit to the payment of such
taxes as shall be- needed for the support of their
government whether in peace or in war, if they
are so levied as tn distribute the burdens as e.
qually as possible among them.
The republic of Texas has made known her
desire TO come into our Union, to form part of
our contederacy, and enjoy with us the blessings
Of flberty, secured and guarantee by our consti.
tuition. Texas was once a part of our country
was unwiSey ceded away TO foreign power
lis now independent, and possesses an undoubt-
ed right to dispose of part or the whole of her
territory, and to merge her sovereignty, as q
separate and independent State, in ours.
congratulate my country that, by an act Of
the late Congress of the u. States. the assent
ofthls government has been given to the re-,i-
mon and il only remains for the two countries
TO agree upon the terms, TO consummate an OBJ
ject so important to both.
regard the question of annexation as belong.
ing exclusively to the United States and Tex
as. They are independent powers, competen,
TO contract; ard foreign nations have no right
TO interfere with them, or to take exceptions tc
their reunion. Foreign powers do not seem
TO nDDrpcate the frne character Of Our payprn