The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-25

rageous tariff law as that Of 1912 would have
commanded the deliberate appreciation Of the Con-
gress Of the United Statesi We think not.
| Mr.. Buchanan, in the exordium Of his speech de-
livered upon the passage Of The bill, declared that
ihe only alternative presented to the Senate, is
whether we shall pass this bill, or leave the coun-
try in its present deporable condition. Every sub
siis proposed for the bill has failed; and il is NOR
ally impossible that amy other measure can now be
introduced in Its stead, with the least hope of sue
cess The last hour of the session is rapidly APP
preaching; and We must speedily resolve either to
pass the present bill, TO do nothing" Again says
he, "lf you adjourn without passing any BILL what
will be the consequences In the first place, you
will then continue, and most probably perpetuate,
the distribution Of the proceeds Of the public lands
among the several States. This is inevitable, if you
should not raise the duties on imports above twenty
per cent" Again; .if we adjourn without passing
any bill, what will be the condition in which we
shall leave the treasury of our country Why, sir,
many of the lawyers throughout the Union, as well
aarge majority in both houses Congress, hold the
opinion that there is now no law in existence under
which any revenue can be collected" But, hear
Is ertrapagaa in The protection which it Affords and,
in instances, prohibitory. 1t is bill Of which
I do not approve, and for which | would not vote,
it not for the present unparalleled condition OF
the existing law, the treasury, and the country.
had earnestly hoped that it might be modified and
amended by the Senate in such manner to rem
der it more acceptable but in this have been dis
appointed"
But he again, with deeper emphasis, declared: 81
shall accept this (the billy now, much the least Of
two evils; AND LOOK WITH HOPE TO BETTER TIMES
FOR AN ADJUSTMENT OF THE TARIFF ON A SCALE
MORE coNsoNANT WITH ALL THE GREAT AND VARIOUS
INTERESTS OF THE UNION WITHOUT SECTIONS" That
we consider the hope of patrot--the prognostic
Of statesman who looks to the universal welfare.
But what said Mr.. Wright He, too, declared
that "The alternative presented then, is this bill
or none" And his conviction was, that the bill
should pass, "BAp, and LOADED with DEFECTS, as he
believed it to be-" He declared that che had
tanned deep feelings against the policy of distribution
in any form, or for any purpose; and it certainly
was powerful and leading inducement to vote for
this BILL that its effect to be, to arrest and he
hoped to eradicate, and forever, that policy"
Again said that gentleman, "Grave questions have
been made here, as well as elsewhere, whether we
have in fact any revenue laws in force, and wheh-
Ter any duties upon imports can be lawfully de-
manded and collected; and legal gentlemen Of the
highest Distinction both in and out Of Congress
have pronounced deliberate opinions against the
validity of our whole collection laws" Further
said Mr. Wright, "Defective as he had admitted
this bill to be, he had used his utmost efforts, with
his other friends, To improve it;'' and "yet many
and most important amendments had been rejected
by the deliberate votes ofthis body" Again: Snow
for the first tjme measure is presented, which moi
only does not aid distribution, but positively puts
an end to it."
We have not yet turned to the speech of Mr.. w
c. Rives; but, if our recollection serves us, that gen
tleman declared the bill Of 1912 to be as bad o.
, worse than that Of 1928.
The conclusion to which we arrive--the inevitable
conclusion-is, that the bill of 1912 never would hay
, been sanctioned, could those, or some of thos
whose recorded in its support, have uctet
with that untrammelled liberty and freedom of udg
ment, so desirable in American legislation. And tn
great question is, can BILL passed in such despe
rate circumstances, at the heels Of expiring ses
sion--so loaded with mnmums, specific duties, AM
: other outrageous defects--so vehementy proteste
against by some of the most distinguished senator
who voted for t--can such an act stand the per
manent will Of free, great, and enlightened PEG
, ple'