The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-03-12

the government consists in the auJusIinehto Vi
our revenue laws, and levy OF The taxes ne
cessary for the support OF government IN
the general proposition, that no more ihoney /
shall be collected than the necessities oil an
economical administration shall require, all
parties seem TO acduIesee. Nor does mere
seem 10 be any material difference OF opinion
as 10 the absence fright in the government
TO tax one section, for the mere profit OF a
mother. 'Jusiice and sound policy forbid
the federal government 10 foster one branch
Of industry 10 detriment Of another, or 10
cherish the Interests of one portion 10 the in
jury OF another portion of our common coun-
| try"
have heretofore declared 10 my fellow
citizens that. in my judgement, ii is the duty
of the Government to extend as far as II may
be practicable 10 do so, by its revenue laws,
and all other means within its power, fair
and Just protection 10 all the great interests
of the whole Union, embracing agriculture,
manufactures, the mechanic arts, commerce
and navigation" I.have also declared my
opinion 10 be ''in favor of a tariff for reve-
nue.. and that sin adjusting ;lle details OF
such a tariff, have sanctioned such moder-
ale discriminating duties as would produce
the amount of revenue needed, and at the
same time afford reasonble incidental protec
ton to our home industry" and that was
opposed TO tariff for protection merely land
not for revenue"
The power 'to lay and collect taxes, du-
ties, imposts, and excuses" was an indispen-
sable one 10 be conferred on the federal
government, which without il, would possess
no means o. providing for its own support.
In executing this power, leaving tariff of
duties for the support Of government, the
raising rerenue should be the object, and
, protection the incident. To reverse this
principle, and make protection the object; and
rerenue the incident, would be TO infiict ..lan-
ilest injustice upon all other than the pro
tected interests. In levying duties for reve-
/ nue., it is doubtless proper to make.such dis
; ordinations within the rerenue priRcipie.as
, will afford incidental protecfionito our home
interest
Within the revenue limit, thel is a dis
erection to discriminate beyond that limit,
the rightfnl exercise ofthe power is not con-
! ceded, The incidental protection afforded
10 our home interests by discrimination with.
f in the revenue range. il is believed will be
f ample. In making determinations, all our
, home interests should, as far as practicable,
r be equally protected. The largest portion
, OF our people are agriculturists. Others are
empived in manufactures. commerce, navi-
, cation, and the mechanic arts. They are
all engaged in their rcspeciiveapursuits, and
! their Joint labors constitute the national or
home industry. To tax one branch OF THE
home industry for the benefit of another
would be unjust. No one of these interests
can rightfully claim an advantage over the
others, or 10 be enriched by impoverlshng
the others. All are equally entitled - the
fostering care and protection Of The govern
. ment. In exercising sound discretion in
levying discriminating duties within the
limit prescribed, care should be taken that it
be done in manner not 10 benefit the
wealthy few, at the expense OF the toiling
millions, by taxing forrest the luxuries OF life,
or articles Of superior quality and high price,
which can only be consumed by the veal
thy /; and highest The necessaries oflife, or
articles cfcoarse quality and low price, which
the poor and great mass OF the people must
consume.
The burdens Of government should, as
far as practicable, be distributed Justly and
: equally among all classes of our popula-
lion. These general views, long entertain
: cd on this subject, have deemed il proper
TO reiterate. 1t is subject upon which con-
fiicting interests OF sections and occupations
are supposed TO exist, and Il spirit of mutual
concession and compromise in adjusting its
t details should be cherished by every part of
our widespread country, rs the only means
ofpreserving harmony and cheerful acqui-
essence Of all in the operation OF our reve-
nue. laws. Our patriotic citizens in every
part Of the Union will readily submit 10 the
payment OF such taxes as shall be needed
for the support Of their government whether
in peace or war, if they are so levied as TO
distribute the burdens as equally as possible
/ among them.
f The republic of Texas has made known
her desire 10 come into our Union, 10 form
, part Of our conlederacy, and enjoy with Us
: The blessings OF liberty, secured and guaran-
, teed by our constitution. Texas was once
part of our country-was unwisely ceded a.
way to foreign power is now independ-
i enl, and possesses an undoubted right TO
dispose of 4 Part or the whole of her terrific
r ry, and 10 merge her sovereignty as a sep
arate and independent State in ours. Icon
q graduate my country that, by an act of the
{ late Congress ofihe United States, the as
!, sent Of the government has been given TO
q the reunion; and it only remains for the two
countries 10 agree upon the terms, 10 con-
> summate an object so important to both.
. regard the question OF annexation rs be-
longing exclusively TO the United States
and Texas They are independent powers,
tOHPOtS!it " SOuiIdCl, anu foreign n1Il0DS
have no right TO interfere with them, or to
take exceptions 10 their reunion. Foreign
powers do not seem to appreciate the true
character ofour government. Our Union is
confederation ofindependeni States, whose
policy is peace with each other and all
the world. To enlarge IFS limits, is to
extend the dominion Of peace over addition
al territories and increasing millions The
world has nothing 10 fear from military am
bi;ion in our government. While the chief
magistrate and The popular branch Of Con
gress are elected for short terms by the suf-
: irages of those millions who must in their
} own persons, bear all the burdens and miser-
} les OF war, our government cannot be other
wise than pacific. Foreign powers should
therefore, look on the annexation of Texas
10 the United States, not as the conquest of
a natioR seeking 10 extend her dominions by
arms and violence, but as the peaceful &C
QUESTION Ola territory once her own, by ad-
ding another member TO our confederation,
with his consent OF that meRber->thereby
diminishing the chances Of war, and open
ing 10 them new and ever increasing mar
taf- for fhair