The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-24
THE TARIFF.


:, ;,.rre,ed in the perusa of series of articles,
,bs SIGNATURE Bundelcund," not yet con-
,d.d but in the process of completion.
These anal tical essays upon vastly important
,;.., destined every moment to augment in In
- will continue, we are sure, to command, as
certainly deserve, the profound attention Of all
X :. have hitherto neglected critical examna-
~ ,be nature, the fraudulent character, and the
.,...ve practical operation Of the minimum and
{s,s, duties of the act of l842. Ii is not our
,,oo,e in these general reflections to dilate upon
|, mrticuar themes now undergoing logical and
y.,.cal ordeal in the hands of one consummately
harmed on the subject he discusses.
What we more especially desire at present to ac-
mush, is the attraction Of the universal attention
he srea, subject of the tarif--the existing and
;,blv Objectionable protective tariff.
Undoubtedly, since the period of ls33-the time
fine celebrated compromise--an obvious change Of
p;Oiou has been going forward in the United States,
ih respect to the honesty, justice, and, of course,
|. policy of highly protective tariffs. Within this
Ose Of time, the progress of opinion in Great Brit
h has never failed to proclaim, in the clearest
manner, similar revolution in the public judy
ent of that country upon this subject. Occasion
|uy from time to time, the expectation had been
dulged that an unqualified repeal ofthe laws regu-
iup the admission of corn into the kingdom
,ould be accomplished. The spread of the doc
ne Of free trade, in its comprehensive sense, has
zen remarkably attested by the numbers and po-
HAL consequence of members Of Parliament who
,sintained them, not merely as theoretical truths,
ii practical ones, of such moment to the people Of
treat Britain, that the immediate sanction thereof by
be legislature was annually invoked by names of the
ghest authority. Such have been, and are yet,
|sry prevalent sentiments in that country, whose
Example so often invoked for our imitation; while
r population have been kept nearly at the point Of
mvaton, upon the brink Of rebellion and civil war,
brough the action Of system which has excluded
ON the shores Of famished land the profusion OF
hr cimes seeking market upon her shores.
indeed, the melancholy example Of the father-land,
ng The most arif-ridden country ofthe globe, neces-
iy must, and does, exert wholesome influence up
nus, Men may speculate and dogmatize; the inter-
psdmonarchist may preach patriotism, and, harping
pom The theme of national independence, call out for
Iv4dion as the means of establishing it. Yet, as
Py as the abhorrent spectacles Of misery, of star
aaon, and death are hung on high for our obser-
lion and warning, and to shock mankind in gem
bl-he tariff policy, which has had so large a share
pd an enduring footing in a country where farors,
conferred at all, should be dispensed to the labo-
b, the agriculturist rather than to the capital
and the rich monopolist. The folly which dis
Pms wisdom in the policy of merely protective
nf, either as the means Of cheapening the fabrics
our consumption, or in any collateral manner
FonOtng the general prosperity of such country
ours, is equalled only by the knavery which ap-
topriates the dishonest gains which such a system
spenses by law.
Some days since, we accidentally dipped into fine
enodical, now extinct, but with whose brilliant
nd transtory existence most of the reading public
pve been familiar. That periodical was the ardent
ispnng Of the great anti-tariff excitement, whose
brent ran with such depth and fury south of the
otomac, swelling at last to the pitch of organized
distance in one Of the States of this confederacy.
no vigorous and eloquent essays which appeared
that paper, we well remember, produced pow
ful, and, to some extent, a dangerous impression
pom the opinions and feelings of portion of this
zion. We well recolect these effects---not alto
Fher efaced after the lapse of years. The memory
them has been since revived by the ominous re-
rence of causes which formerly shook the re-
Pblc to liz centre. We presume it cannot be for
'en-certainly not-tha, it was protective tariff,
osably not whls more exorbitant Qess SO, in
me ins'ances) than the present one, which then
ought this nation 10 the brink of the greatest peril.
was the fearful apprehension of civil war, and a
aden disruption of the Union, which helped to
aken the calculating patriotism of certain inter-
IS alarming their INSCRIPTIONS cupidity, and com.
lhng compromise,--a treacherous and unsub-
nua compromise, as it has, indeed, eventuated.
e anfhtes Of the period to which we refer--the
nepa abeors, in and out Of Congress, of the "bill
aO0mlnations"-were thunderstruck at the deep
ueady earnestness Of their opponents; and dis
guy bent to the rising tempest, which they could
resist, without imminent peril to the nation as
themselves. We deprecated the cause.
deprecated the effects. We opposed with all
power the abominable bill, which provoked this
~endous opposition. We protested with the same
'sy against the form which that opposition as
"ed We think this emphatic caveat sufficient for
present purpose. II was at such ajuncture, that
ancient and fast friend of the manufacturers,
~ @e beginning to the end, came forward
we graceful guise of pacifcator, and sol
"y Stipulated for all the protection which
"en crisis would allow; and he stipulated,
was hrmly believed and understood, that
'nOuld be permanent emancipation from
grinding monopoly, protective tariff. II
''uce turned out, that the famous but worth
compromise to which the parties were pledged,
a"audulent mpromise;--fraudulent because
sa'ued-frauduent, because explained out Of
~'sina purposes-fraudulent because the obli-
'' incurred have not been recognised TO
ney were assumed and understood. The
po"'se has been an emasculated covenant,
'u 70 remain disgraceful memorial Of the
t'"y OF men, who, with the accents of an all
a''ng patriotism upon their lips, yet challenge
pauulls Of the country. How has that compro-
oetn contemnedl Look nj the present tariff