The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1845-03-13

strengthen it in opposition to the will of its
authors. Experience has laugh! us how
unnecessary they are as auxlllaries OF the
public authorities, how Impotent Tor good,
and how powerful for mischief.
Ours was intended to be plain and fru-
gal government; and ! shall regard ito be
nv duty to recommend to Congress, and,
as far as the Executive is concerned, to en-
force by all the means within my power the
strictest economy in the expenditure OF the
public money, which may be compatible
with the public interests.
A National Debt has become almost
an institution ofEuropean monarchics.-
1t is viewed, in some ofthem, as an essen
tial prop to existing governments. Mel
ancholy is the condition Of that people
whose government can be sustained only
by system which periodically transfers
large amounts from the labor of the many
to the Golfers of the few. Such system
is incompatible with the ends for which
our Republican Government was institu-
ted. Under wise policy, the debts con-
tracted in our Revolution, and during
the war of 1919, have been happily oXtin-
gulshed. BY judicious application OF
the revenues, not required for other nee
essary purposes, it is not doubted that
tho debt which has grown out Of the cir
cumstances of the last few years may be
speedily paid off.
l congratulate my fellow citizens on
the entire restoration Of the credit of the
General Government ofthe Union, und
that of many of the States. Happy would
it be for the indebted States if thew were
freed from their liabilities, many of which
were mcautiously contracted. Although
the Government of the Union is neither
in legal nor moral sense bound for
the debts ofthe States, and it would be a
violation of our compact of Union to as
sumo them, yet we cannot but feel a
deep interest in seeing all the States meet
their public liabilities, and pay off their
Just debts, at the earliest practicable Pc
Rod. That they will do so as soon as it
can be done without imposing too heavy
burdens on their citizens, there is no rea-
son to doubt. The sound, moral and hor-
orable feeling ofthe people Of the indebt.
ed States cannot be questioned; and we
are happy to perceive settled disposition
on their part, as their ability returns,
after a season of unexampled pecuniary
embarrassment, to pay offjust demands,
and to acquiesce in any reasonable meas
ures to accomplish that object.
One of the difficulties which we have
had to encounter in the practical admin
istration of the government, consists in
the adjustment of our revenue laws, and
the levy of the taxes necessary for the
support Of government. In the general
proposition, that no more money shall be
collected than the necessities of an eco
nomical administration shall require, all
parties seem to acqulesce. Nor does
there seem to be any material difference
of opinion as to the absence of right i'll
the government to tax one section OF
country, or one class of citizens, or one
occupation, for the mere profit ofanoth-
or. "Justice and 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 oul
common country" | have heretofore de.
clared to my lellow-citizens that, in "my
Judgment, it is the duty ofthe government
10 extend, as far as it may be prac-
ticable to do so, by its revenue laws
and all other means within its power, fail
and Just protection to all the great inter
ests of the whole Union, embracing ag.
ricuIture, manufactures, the mechanic
arts, commerce and navigation" | have
also declared my opinion to bc"in favor o
tariff for revenue, and that ''in adjuslin!
the details of such tariff, have sane
toned such moderate discriminating du.
ties as would produce the amount ofrcv.
enue needed, and, at the same time.
afford reasonable incidental protection
to our home industry" and that | was
"opposed to a tariff for protection merely
and not for revenue"
The power 'to lay and collect taxes
duties, imposts, and excises," was al
Indispensable one to be conferred on the
Federal Government, which, without it,
would possess no means of providing fol
its own support. In executing this pow
err, by levying Tariff of duties for the
support OF Government, the raising o
reucnue should be the object, and protec
ton the incident. TO reverse this prin
ciple, and make protection the object, ant
reuenue the incident, would be to inaict
manifest injustice upon all other than TIT
protected interests. In levying dutie:
for revenue it is doubtless proper TO make
such determinations within the req
enue principle, as will afford incidental
protection to our home interests. Within
the revenue limit, there is discretion tc
discriminate; beyond that limit, the right
full exercise of the power is not conceded
The incidental protection afforded to on
home interests by determinations within
the revenue range, it is believed will b,
ample. In making determinations, al
our home interests should, as far as prac
ticable, be equally protected. The larg
esf norton of our neonlo ore agricultural