Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1845-11-13
The signs of the Times.

The time IS last approaching lur the meeting
of Congress, and men begin TO look with fear
ful forebodngs 10 the thck-coming signs of
what is TO be done by the new powers ha, be,
and t" the assembled wisdom of the nation"
IL is mos, unfortunate for the country that it
has no settled policy; that laws which affect
business operalions-irade, commerce and man
ufaclures-have no fxedness, no stability, no
permanency with Us; that the capitalist has no
assurance, when he invests his money in any
given branch of business, especially if it be in
manufacturing, that it will not be jeoparded or
los, by The instability of national legislation.
For more than thirty years there has existed
in The United States two conflicting schools of
political economists one in favor of protecting
American industry and enterprise agains, for
eign competition, the olher in favor of Free
| Trade; and the contests between them have
been carried on, upon tho part Of the latter, as
we think, with more zeal than knowledge, and
with more of denuncia,ion than reason. Our
readers are aware that compromise took place
between these two conflicting schools in 1888,
commonly called ",he Compromise Acl," which
| was 10 continue for nine years. Upon the ex-
pira,ion of this act, by its own Limitation, in
| lS42, the contest between the two schools, or
parties, was again renewed, and resulted in the
passage OF the Tariff Act Of 1912, by the Wings,
than which no measure ever produced more
salu,ary effects upon paralyzed and prostrate
country. Fortunately Tor the country the
Wings, who are almost TO man in favor Of
protecting American labor and American enter.
prise, then had majority in both branches of
Congress. The act was passed in spite of the
most strenuous and determined opposition, and
its effec, upon the country like iha, OF fresh
air upon suffoca,ing mar; new vigor and ac-
livity were infused into every fibre of the body
polite. Since then. and under The operations
Of lha. ACT we have enjoyed degree Of pros
per,y which rarely falls TO the lot Of any people.
Are we 10 be permitted to enjoy this prosper
ity, or are we again to undergo the torture Of
new " experiments I" This is an important
northern and middle States are anxiously seek
ing an answer. We have closely watched the
signs of The times for some months past, and
confess their indications rather increase than
diminish our apprehensions that the present
Tariff is to be sacrificed upon the altar Of party;
tha, i, is to die the dea,h moi for any evil deeds
Of lis own, bu, on account Of it's paternity. The
Union, which is the acknowledged organ Of the
administration, has, for some time past, been
giving the free trade men Of South Carolina ev-
cry assurance iha, " Mr.. Polk will give his best
efforts to reduce the presen. Tariff" TO what il
is pleased TO call ",he revenue standard,
which, according TO MIR. M'Dufie, and others
of tha. school, is uniform duty of twenty pei
cent. upon euery article imported. Mr.. M'Duf
fe in late letter. published in The Charleston
Mercury, and republished In the Union. says
f" Can it be believed, ,ha, Mr.. Polk, bound by
the united ties of interest and duty 10 sustain
the grea, principles Of FREE TRADE and
unshackled industry, which he has so ably sup
will now, when elected to The highest station
+ 10 which ambition or patriotism can aspire, be
Tray his political principles and sacrifice those
, popular masses by whose voluntary and unsoli
cited suffrages he was raised TO powerl
trust no, the tale" In copying this letter. ih,
editor of the Union. who speaks by authority
assures Mr.. NJ 'Duffie .ha, he has mol misjudget
Mr.. Polk The editor constantly talks of iht
injustice and oppression Of The presen. tariff act.
evidently with view of prejudicing i, in .h
. minds Of the people, and Of inducing them Il
7 concur with Mr.. Polk, Mr.. M'Dufie. and tn,
free trade party in Congress in destroying it,
He goes upon The principle ,ha, to give thin,
bad name, is to insure its destruction; an,
when has tha. party made The destruction o
any thing party measure, that it did not sue
ceed!
But we shall be told that the Pennsylyan
delegation will resist any and every auemp. 4
destroy the presen, tariff. under which she j
uoxu onioyiuu vross s,nnvar.donta1 Iaor.a =