The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-04

We quote the above table from the New York
Post, made up by personal investigation and exami-
nation Of invoices of actual ad vaorem duties upon
the important articles of common use there enume-
rated, compared with the APPARENT, or nominal
duties by the quantity, laid by the act Of 1912
This system of deception pervades the whole law,
and renders its action and effect unjust and une-
quail that should its real operation be laid bare be-
fore the people, it would meet with universal con-
domination. To remedy this injustice will be the
duty, and we doubt not the pleasure, Of the next
democratic Congress, under the recommendation
and plans which will be presented to them by Pres
ident Polk and his interchangeable Secretary Of the
Treasury. II 10 not to tariff per that object,
but to the unequal operation of an ilarrnnged tariff
That a tariff Of some kind is necessary to supply
the necessities Of government, is not questioned and
that tariff for this purpose may be laid with due
reference to interests involved in manufactures in
this country, little disposed TO controvert
but that such duties should be imposed for the
sole purpose of comforting enormous adyanta-
ges upon one class, to the exclusion and al
the expense Of others, vastly more important, we
do most unquaifedly deprecate and condemn.
Nor do we object SO much TO the large profits de-
rived to manufactures by the operation Of highly
protective tariff like that Of 1912, merely because
they are arge--although this is anti-democratic
in its tendency, and calculated TO create s.cass OF
wealth" distinct from the mass of the American
people; but we do most strenuously object to these
u
the injury of all other classes Of business and labor
comprehending the vast majority, both Of the real
and permanent wealth, men and labor of America.
And we object further to the imposition of du-
ties in such manner to keep the people in igno-
rance oftheir actual extent and operation. The
people, who pay these duties, the consumers of inn
ported and manufactured goods, have a right to
know the amount they pay, both for the support OF
their government and the manufacturers. Duties
sho ud be so laid as to be clear and papable, and
not under the delusive guise of "minimums" saver
ages" or "specifc duties, by weight guam
tity.
We have ever regarded this tariff question as one
Of local sectional than political character,
although there really political and constitutional
questions involved in II.
In the manufacturing sections of the Union, and
indeed ofindividua States there is feeling favora-
BILE to tariff which shall favor the interests of that
particular section. In louisiana there is DISPOSE
ton for protective duties on sugar, because that
ticle is largely manufactured in that State In
Pennsylvania, similar disposition in relation to
iron, for the same reason. But all will be found
ready to unite upon just and udicious reduction OF
the enormous duties imposed by the deceptive pro-
visions OF the tariff OF lS42-its reduction 10 the
revenue standard. The powers conferred upon the
federal government by the constitution are, to i'm
pose duties and m7oss to raise revenue, to pay the
debts and defray the expenses of the general gov
ernment And if, in tie exercise of this power, i,
is found practicable to benefit the agricultural man.
ufacturing, mechanical, any other domestic in
terest, without injustice or injury to any other it is
perfectly competent for the government so arrange
this tariff within this constitutional limit, as to effect
this Just and beneficial result
Let these principles and this policy be once firmly
and permanently settled, and all interests will he
satisfied, and the business of the country relieved
from the fluctuations and uncertainties aitendan,
upon the constant agitation of this question of do.
mestic economy in the political party controversies
of the country. That will soon be SO settled, we
have good grounds to anticipate