The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-03-13
posed to tariff for protection, merely,
and not for revenue

| The power TO lay and collect taxes
onties, lmposts and excises,' was an in
dispenslbe one TO be conferred on the fed
eraI government, which without il, woul,
possess no means Of providing for its owl
support In executing this power b,
levylng tariff ofduties for the supper
OF government, the raising of revenu,
should be the object, and protection tn,
incident. 10 reverse this principle, anc
make protection the object and revenu,
the incident, would be to nnct NANTES
injustice upon all other than the protect
ed interests. In levying duties for rev.
enue, it is doubtless proper to make
such Determinations within the revenue
principle, as will afford incidental pro-
lection to our home interests, Within
the revenue limit, there is discretion tc
discriminate; beyond that limit, the right
lul exercise ofthe power is not conced.
ed. The incidental protection afforded
to our home interests by discrimination
within the revenue range, it is believed
will be ample. In making discrimina
tlons ,all our home interests should, as lar
as practicable be equally protected -
The largest portion Of our people are
agrlculturists. Others are employed in
manufactures commerce, navigation and
the mechanic arts. They are all engag-
cd i'll their respective pursuits, and their
joint labors constitute the national or
home industry. To tax one branch of
this home industry for the benefit cf an,
other, would be unjust. No one of these
interests can rightluIIy claim anadvan-
tage over the others, or to be enriched
by impoverishing the others. AN are e.
qually entitled 10 the fostering care aud
protection ofthe government.
In exercising sound discretion in levy
ing discriminating duties within the lin,
1t prescribed, care should be taken that
1t be done in manner not to benefit the
wealthy few, at the expense of the toiling
by taxing iOmeSt the luxuries OF
life or articles Of superior quality and
high price, which can only be consumed
by the wealthy; and highest the necessa-
RES OF life, or articles Ct coarse quality
and low price which the poor and great
mass ofthe people must consume The
burdens ofgovernment should as far as
practicable, be distributed Justly and c.
qually among all classes of our popula-
ton. These general views, long enter.
tanned on this subject, have deemed it
proper to reiterate. 1t is Il subject upon
which conflicting interests ofsections and
occupations are supposed to exist, and
spirit OF mutual concession and compton,
se in adjusting its details should be cher
shed by every part oil our wide spread
as the only means of preserv.
ng harmony, and cheerful acquies-
;ence of all in the operation of our rev.
enue laws. Our patriotic citizeps in ev-
Try part of the Union will readily submit
o the payment of such taxes as shall be
needed for the support of their govern,
nent, whether in peace or in war, if
hey are so levied as to distribute the |
BURDENS as equally as possible among
hem.
The republic of Texas has made known
Ter desire 10 come into our Union, to form |
part OF our confederacy, and enjoy with
Is the blessings of liberty secured and |
guaranteed by our constitution. Texas
vas once part of our countrY-was IN
wisely cedcd away TO a foreign power
S now independent, and possesses an un>
Quilted right TO dispose of part or the
whole OF her territory, and to merge her
overcIgn'y, as separate and independent
tale, in ours. congratulate my coun-
ry that, by an act Of the late Congress OF
ne United States, the assent of this gov
rnment has been given TO the reunions;
nd i: on y remains for he two countries
agree upon the lerms,to consummate an
bJect so Important 10 both
| regard the question of annexation as
elonging exclusively to the United
tates and Texas. They are inderend-
Mt powers. competent 10 contract: and
'reIgn nations have no right to interfere
nth them, or 10 take exceptions to their
'unlon. Foreign powers do not seem to
ppreclate the true character of our gov
rnment. Our Union is confederation {
independent States, whose policy is ,
eace with each other and all The world.
o enlarge its limits, is-to extend the do
Unions OF peace over additional terrific.
es and Increasing millions. The world
Us nothing 10 fear from military ambi.iou
our government, While the chief {
agistrate and the popular branch Of Con-
ress are elected for short terms by the S
lfrages Of those millions who mus, in ,
cir own persons, bear all the burdens /
I'd mIseries OF war, our government can a
d be otherwise than pacific Foreign c
,wers should, therefore, look on the an @
.xalon of Texas TO the United States, b
It as the conquest of a nation seeking to II
tend her domnions by arms aud VIC. o
nee, but as the peaceful acquisition of tt
rritory once her own, by adding another Ii
ember to our confederation, with the o
nsent OF that member thereby dimin. a