Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1845-01-16

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during the last session, by allotting it to
the lowest bidders, after the just precau-
ton OF exacting security for its faithful
execution. The parties to whom il was
given, fixed their own rates of compcnsa-
tion, and have no doubt made ample
provision against all hazard of loss; aud
we may. therefore, hope that this item OF
the public expenditure will not be swell
led 10 IFS usual alarming amount, by de.
mauds for extra compensation.
Before conclude this communication,
| will call your attention 10 subject in
which, believe, the State of PennsyIva.
MA has deeper stake than in any other
now pending, or likely TO be brought, Ell
ther before her own Legislature or the
Legislature of the Union. | refer to the
maintenance, in all substantial points, Of
the existing revenue laws of the Union,
more generally known as the tariff laws.
The great variety and compexity of in
terests in the different quarters Of the
Union, render the adjustment of any tariff
system, an extremely difficult and delicate
undertaking. Could the people of every
section of the Union, survey the entire
circle of Irrational interests, with perfect.
ly cool and unprejudiced eye, this Difficult
ty and delcacy would almost entirely
vanish. But while certain sections of the
Union are welded to certain notions,
without regard TO their foundation in rea-
son and in truth, it will be almost impos
sibe to expect from any body of men, as
sembled in Congress, perfectly free aud
unpreludiced examination Of this exciting
question. We must deal with men and
things, as we find them, and not as We
would desire to have them. In conflict
where prejudice and selfinterest bias the
Judgment, it behoves the Representatives
of every section, while they yield a due
regard TO the claims of others, to stand
firmly by their own. have, from year
to year, in addressing communications to
the Legislature, referred to this subject,
not so much for the purpose of inducing
action in the National Legis lature, as to
keep IT before the citizens of this Com.
monwealth, to familarze it in their minds
and to prepare them to unite in maintain
ing their own interests, whenever those
interests might be endangered. was as
sailed when first took this high ground
in defence Of the welfare of PENNSYLVANIA,
from various quarters, and denounced for
advocating doctrines to which the majority
of the people ofthis State were asserted
to be opposed: but, regardless of these idle
nj f,lfr If-
same sentiments, and have the satifaction
OF knowing that, in the recent Presidential
election, IN which the tariff was believed
to be involved, both political parties,
nearly to man, assumed the same posi-.
tions, had taken, and advocated the same
doctrines which had endeavored to ell
force upon the consideration of the Legis-
lature. advert TO this matter now, not
so much TO justify myself, as to prove,
whatever has been alIedget TO the contra.
ry, that there Is but one party on this
question, in Pennsy lvania, and that party
is nearly the entire mass of her citizens.
hazard nothing in asserting that neither Of
The Presidential candidates could have
hoped, for moment, to get majority Of
the votes n this State, had not his claims
been based upon the assurance that he
was friendly to the continuance of the
present tariff laws, substantially as they
stand.
The iron and coal interests in this stale,
great as they have been considered to he,
are yet in their infancy. Deposits of these
minerals, scattered throughout almost ev.
cry hill and valley in the Commonwealth.
are exhaustless, and are so peculiarly dis.
trbnted, IN all quarters, as to create d.
rect interest on the part Of nearly every
citizen, in the developemen: and encour-
agement OF every system Of policy which
can render them available. The owners
OF the lands in which they are embedded,
The agrlculturlsts who furnish the work
men with their supplies. the merchants,
mechanics and artiz4ns Of all descriptions.
look 20 these resources ultimately, as the
great fountain from which State and indi
vldual prosperity must be derived. Here
IT is believed, must be founded and sns.
tanned the great counterpoise TO foreign
importations Of all species of iron, raw
and manufactured, with which the whole
american people are 10 be supplied
Here. too, rs TO be found depos,te Of fuel
Tor the family use of the poor, az well a.
Tor the more extensive use IN the mann.