Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-10-10
THE TARIFF-GEN. MoDUFFIE's ANTI
CITATIONS OF THE COURSE OF PRE-.
SIDENT POLK

CITATIONS OF THE COURSE OF PRE-.
SIDENT POLK.
Gen. McDuffie, in letter Of Sept. 81, publish.
ed in the Charleston Mercury of the 7th dscredits
the conclusions of the Washirgt correspondent
Of that paper touching Mr.. Folks expected course
on the Tariff, and expresses the firmest conviction
Of the Presidents sincerity, zeal for Free Trade,
and hrmness equal to this occasion and to the
fulflment Of the expectations Qtaicised by u,) OF
the country"
The 8. Z. Senator with his usual precipitation
and proneness to draw the conclusions he desires,
takes it for granted that the expectations, that is
the cishes ofhe country, that is of the Union, are
cnincident with his own A conclusion as singu.
arly unfounded and wide of the fact, as we believe
I is possible for guess to be.
We quote the more remarkable portion of Mr.
McDuffie's letter:
"CHERRT HILL, Sept. 81, 1916.
Ny Dear Sir You ask me whether, in my opinion,
"it be possible that the coneciures of the Washington
Correspondent Of the Charleston Mercury can be true in
relation to the probable OF the Admnisra ton Of
Mr.. Polk in the adjustment Of the tariff" and whether
'such would not be palpabe violation of the
pledge to reduce the duties upon foreign imports to the re-
uenue a1ndard"
In answer TO these enquiries. state in the frs, place
confident belief that these conjecturs. cannot be uuo
and in the second place. that the hoy ascrbs 10 the
Administration woEd be "a papabIe violation Of tho pledge
TO reduce the duties upon foreign imports the revenue
Standard" and Of oil the pledges Of tho party by which Mr.
| Polk elected.
brief exposition Of the principles Of revenue tar
III and reference to Mr. Folks Inaugural Address will be
sufficient Think TO Danish your apprehensons II 10 OBJ
vious to remark that tariff the lowest rate OF
amount Of revenue. The smallest addition TO tina, rate
upon any one article with view increase the price al
It's domestic rvs is "Painy and intentionally" proee
tive. conuadislingushod from revenue duty But n
the additional duty only enchances hs price Of bo, ,bs
foreign and domestic article but dimnishes the revenue
II would be the most bareisced mookey-the most innu
dsnt and hypoertcs disguise by which ercenarv and
mercess oppression attempted conceal m d.formiv
TO call this duty. Now IL Is only pe.e,s,,v %
apply these plain not self evident propositions 10 tho sr
cles which Is the supposed intention Of tho
ron to favor and protect by oNemptng from the general
rule Of reduction Take for example the leading srI
oles sugar and iron. NEXT salt these are article, Of tba
most general consumption by oil classes Of psopIe
In great financial and eeonom cal REFORM reducing tho
duos upon foreign imports TO genors svsrage Of 20 ne,
cent, upon what principle s Justice equity or sound policy
upon vha, shadow Of constitutional power can Tste ol
duty be imposed upon these articles higher than the
raj necessary for revenue the same time adding IN
the public burdens and diminishing public revenue7 Il
1t because sugar and iron produced by few wealthy
sugar planters and iron masters, equal in number 10
one In hundred Thousand Of those who consume the sr
css 'nd pay from the pockets Of modocry snd poverty
the contributions oEtorled by free goyernment-snd let
me not ssy-s Democratic AdminsuaHon-o odd 10 the
fortunes OF mouied oigsrcby7 Can be believed that
Mr. Polk bound BY the united ties Of interest snd duty TO
sustain the greet pncpes Of free trade and
industry, which he has ably supported through long
Of public service; will now. when elected 10 the
highest station to which ambition patriotism can a,pre
bsuay his political principles and ssefGee those popular
ms'ses, by whose voluntary and unsolicited sursRos he
rsssd 10 powerf II trust not tho tso." In bis In
suguai Address he very distinctly lays down the do.rne
inst fSv'nao ''h' obss. VI oil duuO, upon Imports, and
| protection the iHeidsRL"
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