Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-05-21

LNh ahS PNNpiS NHS" -.
[Lynchburg Republican.
FREE TRADE.-Soon after the success
full issue of the Presidential election was
known, we alluded TO the 'sgreat result" as
the mandate of the people, in regard TO
the important democratic measures pre-
scented TO them in that great contest, and
more particularly the promotion of the
great principles Of free trade, so far as
concerned the reduction of the tariff to a
strict accordance with the revenue prin-
ciple. The point of annexation seems
mainly :--that was great measure, which
could not with safety be postponed; but
that being now disposed Of, the regulation
of the system Of taxation for the support
of government is certainly not Of less i'm.
porlance.
ltmusl now be The settled policy of the
Democratic party 10 equalize the burden
of taxation, and this can only be done by
discarding all considerations not connect
cd with the sole legitimate object of ia.
eff, which by the constitution is limited to
the raising of revenue "to pay the debts
and provide for the common defence and
general welfare.n Let the government
confine itself strictly to this object, levy
ing duties on imports SO as TO invite rather
than toprohbit importation, thereby produ
cling from every article the greatest amount
Of revenue TO be derived from it, and if
! this produce greater sum than is requi.
site for an economical administration Of
the government, reduce the ratio on every
article in corresponding proportion, I'M
iii the requisite amount only is realized
Then, if protection 10 the home prodnc-
lions be incidentally or accidentally de-
rived from tariff 80 regulated, be il so.--
As the old merchants Of France said to
King Colbert, when asked what he could
do far them and for The advantage of their
trade and commercial transactions, "Lafs-
zeS rous .taire, "-"let us alone,"--so if
our wise legislators win just lei trade and
commerce alone, doing nothing more than
10 protect free trade and intercourse with
all nations, and between man and man, the
mass Of the people will be benefited =
trade will take better care of itself than
legislators can do by their attempts to
nurse it;--the taxes will then be equalz-
ed, and the whole country will prosper in
stead of particular interests.
But If, as we have heretofore said, the
n efforts of the people TO bring about this
equalization OF the public burdens are to
fail, if after having declared SO plainly as
n they have in the recent Presidential cleo
n ton, that revenue tariff is the word, if,
after all, "this unequal system of taxes for
protection is 10 be thus fastened upon us,
we intend to go for the Abandonment Of
Import duties altogether, advocate resort
n 10 direct taxation for the support Of Co.
u vernment.r The tariffites may be assur-
N ed it will come TO this, ii they do not de.
sist from their claims fos protection. The
N people will be brought TO understand, that
. II IS not for their interests 10 be taxed to
n enable manufacturers. or other producers
70 obtained greater profits. They will be-
gin 10 learn that in system Of direct tax.
alton they will pay in proportion 10 theli
property only, and not in proportion to the
amount Of duliable articles they consume
~hSs VIII lOOk uDuui tuSil anu ouc ihlBe
numbers Of their rich neighbors' possess
ing their tens Of thousands, hundreds q
thousands, and may be millions, who pay
uc more towards the support OF Govern
ment than the man Of ordinary circum
slances, or even the poorer sort; they viii
soc that he who labors from DAY 70 day Of
.ea consumes as much Of duiiable articles
"a bis family, and wears out as many
Clothes, as the richest, and consequently
pays as large a share Of public taxes
.rrhey will begin 70 inquire il this he right.
They will begin 10 calculate what amour
q dullable articles they now annually con
sumo; they will estimate the amount o
axes on these articles, and hence judgee
we annual amount Of money they pay in
y The Treasury. and win find, as gen
sral remark, that lhe rich pay no NOR,
nan NE poor, and often not so much
a Washington correspondent Of ID,