The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-11-19

ton than Mr.. Polk The leading democratic pa
per, the Richmond Enquirer, whose editor ~ re-
garded as the Napoleon Of the American press has,
with perseverance worthy OF such a cause, con-
tributed more than any other Journal to influence
the different commonwealth TO meet honestly, what
ever the consequences in loss OF property, their
pecuniary engagements; and its sentiments are re-
echoed by nearly every in its ranks; while there
has been melancholy apathy on the subject
amongst many Of the prominent ones IN those OF
the opposite party.
"Mr. Clay is as much opposed 70 the assumption
of State debts by the general government as MT.
Polk In a letter dated August 90 among the last
he wrote giving utterance to his sentiments before
the presidential election, he said;
''The only rsii.f which have thought ought to be
afforded to the States, in the payment of their debts,
was that which would Incidentally arise out Of the
distribution Of the proceeds of the sales Of the pub
lie lands among all the States But that distribution
has no necessary connexion with the existence OF
State debts proposed BY me prior to the con-
traction Of n,osi Of hem.'
of the delinquent States had to expect from MIR.
Clay, in the way Of assumption, il he had been
chosen President. The distribution scheme could
not have been carried out under his administration;
and, even if il had been enacted into law, three
fourths Of the amount realized under Il would have
gone into the treasures Of the unndebed and IN
terest paying States; and, as a necessary conse-
quence, high tariff would have been continued, in
order to raise funds for the support Of the general
government, which would cripple the non-psying
ones in their resources, inasmuch as, with the ex
ception Of Pennsylvania, they would be among
those most severely taxed by it.
''Mr Polk is anxious to reduce the tariff to such
per cenage as, with the proceeds Of the sales OF
the public lands, will be but barely sufficient to de-
fray the annual expenditures, and thus relieve the
Statesmost in need from the burdensome taxation by
which they have been weighed down indirectly.
Now il requires no stretch Of the imagination to
perceive that resumption certain TO speed
lily under the rule Of MIR. Polk, as it would have
done under that OF Mr. Clay. One thing is certain
beyond all question, that the ability TO do 40 will be
vastly increased. By way Of illustration Indiana
owes debt, the interest upon which we will sup
pose to amount annually to half million of dollars.
She has no manufactures, and therefore lis not bene-
flied in the least extent by the tariff but, under it's
provisions pays her imports revenue of ,500,-
200 per annum. If the duties were reduced to 30
per cent. nd valorem, this amount would probably
be diminished to S750,00O The highest sun, which
she could expect to receive any one year, from a
distribution of the public land money, would be
$3.50, 600 while New York would bc entitled to
S750,O00, without having any use for il. 1t must
be understood that the principal argument (covcrtly
used. hpwever) for the distribution, was, that it
would be the means of perpeuating the tariff
Thus Indiana, in consideration Of the $3.50, 600
would continue to be taxed 81 100000, when, with
out the contamination of that project and conse-
quent modification Of the tariff, based upon the
average above named, she would be taxed only
S750,000, by which means she would be benefited
$500, 0O0--an amount ample to pay the interest on
her debt"
Yours, truly,