The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-11-10
IKE COURSE on THE WHO'S.

IN. last "I.exington Observer and Reporter" II
a.. v;,;uage Of Mr.. Clay, and wc believe repute'
- he sort Of semi-oficia "organ" of that gentle
.~.n is engaged in prescribing the line Of policy
..hsb il becomes the wing party to pursue in thu
.Oproaching Congress-
II rendering its advice to the party, ''touchine
a. mast and present position Of public AFFAIRS" the
ohserver indicates, with great boldness of phrase
49, wha, should be the basis Of wing action, OF
action. for the future; and what should be the
80, object to be attained by means of "wise and
o,,.,rly inactivity" which that paper inculcates
Nv. ..s that the "fii,us success" Of politicians is
;un;scaply enough connected with the desired ac-
.s,,o,;sbmen Of certain measures" and the two are
az the groundwork for this editorial appeal.
w. congratulate the Lexington paper, however,
"a tender i, our thanks, upon finding il prepared
n,,, The sentiments il does, with respect to the
annexation of Texas. That question the observer
considers settled to the extent ''that no factious
.nos;,ion TO mere details would be wise or patriot
~ and we are rejoiced to find that past opposi-
Ian elsewhere to that measure, in very many in
.,.oces is becoming neutralized under the convic-
,;oo ,ha, to an ascertaned national will, il is both
;,erredient and unavailing to offer resistance.
Ra, saws the observer" in the next place, "Let
~, wings adhere to the tariff of 1912" Incorpora.
,,d with this adn,oniio, is the acknowledgment that
,he tariff may be too high. If il be too high, we
,huk that sound legislation, and the obligations
which Justice imposes, demand its revision and alter
alton. Even the "Observer" would seem to SUBJ
scribe to principle of national legislation incontes-
table and important as this proposition. But Wis
ousry obstacle lies in the way! II is asserted that
he tariff of 1912 "has given unprecedented prosper
y TO all the great interests" of the Union, and that
j, sought not to be tempered with"
Now, il itwere true that the tariff of 1912 had
really exerted an agency so benignant and as ex-
ensiye as i, affirmed, we know not why there
need be murmur Of complaint anywhere. But
who believes this representation of the effects of that
tariff Is there non-manufacturing State of the
Union prepared to ascribe such results to the tariff
ofls42, How has it occurred that the consuming
and agricultural classes have been so long and wide-
" mistaken with respect to the operation of proiec
can clear no more than from Q to per cent. upon
their farms, whilst the large manufacturing csiab.
lishments are dividing from Is to 30 per cent;
Have we had any or more than one tariff, higher
than that of 1892 Those classes of men, with re-
spect 10 the operation of legislative measures upon
their private business and pursuits, arc probably
nsrer mistaken in their conclusions.
There is lynx-eyed astuteness in whatever
touches the purse, which distinguishes the great mass
of mankind. Hence those for whose avowed hem
eff protective tariffs adopted see in them univer-
BAL good.
The prosperity of which the "Observer'' speaks
is no consequence of the tariff of 1872 II exists in
defiance, spite Of that unequal and most excep-
ionable measure.
The Lexington paper winds up with very re-
markable exhoration to the wings, in these words
DO not enter into the fight on one side or the
blher." We have observed a like invocation in
bther opposition papers. If it be expected that
be wing party will harken to such appeals, we
anno discern why it is that such solictude is fel,
% rally in battle array the most powerful men OF
lhe opposition. The wings might as well,
recording TO this form of tactics, have sent
20 many mutcs TO represent them, who could
cnly respond to their names, and answer ay
pr no. For what purpose are such famous an
tagonists to be collected in the Senate chamber,
To sit there, and do nothing? Nothing more, it is
deemed advisable by sundry counseors, than tran
gully observe the country brought to ruin by the
supporters Of the administration. And to what end
all ths' To punish the majority (and with it the
minority too) for having elected Mr.. Polk to the
presidency. 1t would seem quite impossible tina,
party, acuated by such motives, could ever COM
nand the support Of the people of this country.
The Lexington Observer" remarks: "Lct those
who defeated, by falsehood and fraud, the great
ather Of The American system, bear the whole un-
Tded responsibility" of repeating or altering the
arlf Of 1912. If MIR. Clay can take the response.
putty of approving that act, after vaunting himself
pc father of the compromise of 1899, perhaps the
cmocrats can go unscathed. How can Mr.. Clay
econclc it to himself to PROSTATE his famous com.
promise act with the ubomnable bill of lS42, after
y had so solemnly pledged himself, on the floor Of
pc Senate and in the face Of the nation, to the OBJ
erVance Of its proyisons--aftcr he had publicly
ecared that it was the bond Of peace; and that nc
ian' who had any regard for principle, would pre-
end TO disturb il,