Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-10-17

congress TO violate the true principles OF al
revenue system, and the solemn pledge con-
tanned in The compromise act of 1889. by lea
wing tea and cnffee with the long list of foreign
imports used by them in manufacturing, free
OF duty. But this scheme, am sue, can re-
ceive no countenance from the administration.
They will recommend no Determinations, as
we have been semi-ofhcialIy informed, but
with a view to revenue; and upon every sound
revenue principle the highest rate Of duty
should be laid upon such articles as are not
made in the United States. lfihis class were
sufficiently extensive. the whole of the federal
revenue should be drawn from it. We should
thus have 40 wealthy and influential class,
drawing princely incomes from the extorted
contributions of the people, and stimulating
the government to all sorts of extravagant ex-
pend:tnres with view to keep up a system
of high aud oppressive duties.
In any scheme which the administration
may present for adjusting the tariff, feel con-
fident that the leading feature will be the total
abolition of minimum and specific Duties
These are fraudulent contrivances that serve
no other purposes but to deceive the people
and disguise oppression. Let US have ad
valorens duties that every body can understand.
Let the people see the full extent of their
o'H'hCuSS oltu IL ihuSt U0 OpptcSSCO TT IL
be $50 nominated in the bond" AS these
duties now stand, low priced articles consumed
by the poor pay the highest rate ofduty, while
those of the highest price, consumed by the
wealthy, pay the lowest rate. This is fatal
objection to all specific duties. yard of cal
leo, for example, which costs cents in Man
chester, pays 9 cents duty, which is $50 per
cent on its cost; while yard of the finest col
ored muslin which costs 80 cents, pays only
9 cents, equal to 80 per cent on its cost
These revolving deformi,ies must be removed,
and feel assured that Mr.. Polk will cordially
cooperate in the patriotic labor.
1t is apparent that the days Of monopoly
and commercial restriction are numbered in all
the civilized nations of the earth. Even in
Great Britain-so long held up to US by our
monopolists as an example for imitation-all
parties now concur in the principles Of free
trade. and differ only as to the time and man
ner of reforming ancient restrictions and abu-
ses. And permit me to say, that the day thai
shall witness the downfall of commercial res
trictions and the establishment of free trade
among the nations of the earth, will be the
greatest and most gloriou era that ever mark
ed the the progress of improvement in the tenn
poral affairs of man. 1t should be the amhi.
ton of our statesmen to take the lead in this
great reform which is destined, as firmly be-
lleve, to contribute more to the liberty, pros
perity and peace of the nations than any even
since the advent of our Saviour In this view
of the subject few men ever occupied more
responsible position than Mr.. Polk, and have
every reason to believe he fully realises tina
responsibility, and will so far elevate his view:
above the miserable schemes of mercendry mo
nopolists and factionists contending for ofic,
as to be equal to the occasion and fulfil the ex
pectations Of his country.
Yours, &c.
GEO. McDUFFIE.