American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-09-20


The Tariff. The first Of series Of letters
addressed to the mechanics manufacturers, sc.
of Baltimore, by the Hon. John p. Kennedy,
has been published. In this letter he quotes
from various sources to shew, that it is the in
tention of Government to endeavor to effect
great reduction in the existing tariff. This is
certainly most important subject, and deserves
the particular attention OF those classes OF So
ciety to which MIR. Kennedy addresses himself.
We most firmly believe, that the present pros
perous condition of the country is attributable
TO the tariff Of 1912, and hence that it would be
ruinous policy to reduce it to what is termed
the revenue standard-a standard, by the by,
very uncertain and not easily fixed. All work.
ing men have experienced the disastrous effects
of low tariff upon their labor, and we presume
that no one of that class who rightly under
stands his own interests, will desire to have
repetition of the experiment. The effort may,
and probably will be made, to effect the pro-
posed reduction; but if it be successful, we con-
slider it highly probable, that our government
Will elLIlcE IdNc W DOIION ulOHel lOI CuTTGlI
expenses, or be compelled to resort to direct
taxation A low tariff is beneficial to the man
of wealth who has permanent and fixed in
come, inasmuch as it enables him to purchase
commodities, for time at least, at reduced pri-
Ces, and to obtain the services of the laboring
classes at the lowest rate. Men must live, and
if they be thrown out Of employment either by
the introduction ofthe products of foreign pau
per labor, or by the Woodworking of foreign
paupers sent to this country, they must either
consent that themselves and families shall want
bread, or earn it by receiving an inadequate
compensation for their services. Previous to
the enactment of the present tariff in 1912, men
were idle, or if employed, it was at diminished
prices. The rich felt not the oppression-for
the operation was, to make the rich richer, and
the poor poorer: and such is, in like manner,
the operation Of the existing system of intro
duclng the convicts and paupcrs Of Europe into
the workshops Of our city. They bring down
wages to the mere living point, or compel the
discharge OF American workmen. How long
this system is to be tolerated it is impossible to
say-but we hope that there will be fouad a
sufficient number of American patriots in and
out of Congress, to secure the working men of
this country from the ruinous effects of re-
duced tariff, and from the competition of foreign
paupers either in this or their own country.
MIR. Kennedy has been uniform, steady and
distinguished friend to the protection of Ame-
rcan industry, and has also seen and cndeavor.
ed to prevent the injustice inflicted upon the
county by the present naturalization laws: he
therefore does we'll in addressing himself to the
mechanics, manufacturers and laborng men o
the city. In these respects he occupies the pre-
else ground upon which the Native American
party stands, and for which they are no" con
tending in this city. For the accomplishment
of the great object Of protecting American la
Dor in every possible mode, that party has no
minated candidates for Congress and the Legs