The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1845-03-15

government OF the Union is neither 10 legal
nor a moral sense bound for the debts of tbeI
States, and II would be a violation of ourI
compact of Union to assume them. We, wei
cannot bu, feel deep interest iu seeing all
the States meet their public liabilities, and
pay off their jusl debts, a, The earliest prac |
,lcabe period. Tina, they viii do so, AL
soon as 1t can be done without imposing tool
heavy burdens on their Gil zens, their is mol
reason to doubt. The sound, moral andI
honorable feeling of the people of the in |
Idebled States, cannot be questioned; and we
ate happy 10 perceive settled dlsposilionI
on then par, as their ability returns, a(terl
a season ol unexampled pecunlary embal |
rassmen,s, TO pay of all jus, demands, andl
10 aCqulesce in anv reasonable measures tol
AcC0mpllsh that object.
One of the difficulties which we have
had 10 encounter III the practical adninis,ra
uon Of the government, consists in the ad
lus,ment Of our reoenue laws, and The levy
ol the taxes accessory lor the support oil
government In the general proposition
that no more money shall be collected than
the necessities of an economical sdminstra
Uon shall require all parties seem to arqu
esce. Nor does there seem 10 be any ma
terlal difference OF opinion as 10 tive an
Sence OF right in The government to tax one
section oi country, or one class Of cluzens,
or OEe occupation for the mere profit OF
another Justice and sound policy forbid
the federal government to foster one branch
Of industry 70 the deIrimenl OF another, or
10 cherish the interests of one portion 10
the injury OF another portion of our common
lcouniry.' have heretofore declared 10 my
fellow clizrns that, in my judgment, it is
lhe duty Of The government TO extend, as
far as II may be prachcable 10 DO so, 10y it,
revenue laws, and all other mears wirhio
It's power, lair and just protection 10 all the
great interests Of the whole Union, embrar
ing agriculture, manufactures, the mechanic
arts, commerce and navigation have
also declared my opinion TO be sin favor OF
4 tariff for revenue, and that, in adjusting
the details of such a tarilI,i have sanctioned
such moderate discriminating duties 81
would produce the amount of revenue need
ed, and, at tie same time, afford reasonabI,
Incidental protection 10 our home industry;
md that was Opposed 10 a tariff Tor pro
ecl;on merely, and not for revenue.
The power TO lay and collect taxes, do
les, imposls, and exercises was an inds
rensiblG one to be conferred on The federal
government, which, without ii, would pos
'ess no means oI providing for It's own sup
port. In executing this power by levying
aIiG Of duties for the support OF govern
,nenl, the raising Of TeCenue should be Tho
IJbjeci, and prOicciiOn the incident. II,
reverse this principle, and make prOtectiO,
tie object, aud rfGeHuG the incidCRt, wouIt
ne TO lullcl manifest injustice upon all Oih
Ter than the protected interests. In evyiEg
= duties for revenue, 1t is doubtless proper /,
make such determinations within The TtU
e1ae yr}ucipie,as will afford incidental pro
lection to our home interests, Within 'h'
revenue limit, there is discretion TO dis
criminale; beyond that limit, The righIlu
exercise Of Ihe power is not conceded.
The inc,deulSl protection afforded t,
our home interests by Determinations
I within the revenue range, ii is believed
I will be ample In making disCrimlna
ions, all our home interests should q
r far as practicable, be equally protected
i Fhe largest portion of our people. az,
I agliculuralIsls. Others ate employed il
manuiactnr4s, Commerce, navigation,
sud the mechanic arts, engaged in lhel
respt ctive pursuits, and their Joint la
burs constitute the national or home Ia
dusty. TO tax one branch Of hi
home industry for the benefit of anoIh
!. rr, would be UNJUST No one of lhes
=, ,nlestsrs can righruIly claim an advan
;, age over HE others, or TO be enriched
i, ny mpovtrNhlng the others. All ar
e uuoIly entitled 10 the fostering care an'
protection Of The government In cX
erciseing a sound discretion in levyini
Is discriminating duties within the limi
'prescrbed, care should be taken tina
, II be done in manner not to benell
>, The wealthy few, at The expense Of III
: loiIing millions, by taxing lowest lh'
,dIuXurieS OF life, OF orioles of superio
g quality and high price, which eau onl,
be consumed by the wealthy; and high
e est the necesSaries of life, or articles o
, coarse quality and low price, which tn,
n poor aud great mass of our people mus
} consume. The burdens of government
" should, as far as practicable, be dIstrl
u buted. These general views, lonl
=, 70 entertained on this subject, hav,
~ deemed it proper to reilerate, 1t is
"a subject upon which conflicting interest
of sections ana occupations are suppose,
1d 10 exist, and spirit OF mutual concess