The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-18
Il HE UNION.
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
THURSDAY NIGHT, SEPT. IS, ls45.
THE TARIFF.

THURSDAY NIGHT, SEPT. IL, ls45.
THE TARIFF.
We seize this opportunity ofassuring our political
friend in Indiana, that shall be happy to receive
his numbers on the reduction of the tariff, as soon
as possible. We shall have another regular series
of numbers upon the subject; but there cannot
be TOO many able and sagacious champions en-
ployed in the cause. We beg the New York Courier
and It's correspondents, and its affiliated presses not
to mistake some isolated scraps from the proceedings
Of public meetings. from the essays of our cores
pondents, for our own deliberate opinions. We are
not the enemies of American manufactures, as the ~
Y. Tribune boldly and unblushingly affrms; but
we are the opponents Of a protected and pampered
manufacturing system We go for revenue, for rev.
enues sake Ifsuck ratio should furnish "ncident-
al" Cor, as Mr. Sewer called it, "accidental) protec-
ton, which it will inevitably contribute no reason
able man can make any reasonable objection to il.
But, to make discrimination in the duties for
the sake Of protection, instead Of the legitimate
purpose of raising the necessary revenue, is to
mistake, as we honestly think, the great pur-
pose Of the taxing power, not less than the gen.
eral principles of our free nsttutons--establsh-
ed as they are in a new country, blessed as it is
with immense quantities of rich and vacant lands,
distinguished as il is by variety of soils, climates,
and interests in extensive empre-and by fed
eral government which is limited in its powers by
the very specifications Of the constitution.
We repeat it, that we are not the enemies ofman-
uactures. There is no peoplein the world who have
more enterprise than our countrymen-none who
have better materials to manufacture, and cheaper
provisions to support the laborer--none who have
such an inventive genius--none who produce la
bor-saving machines of most productive power. Our
carding and spinning machines, and our looms, are
already more perfect than those of England or Of
Germany This is advantage in many species
of the cotton and woollen fabrics which more than
compensates for the low wages of labor and the low
interest of capital in Europe. considerable portion
of our population is destined from the nature of their
position and the popularity of their circumstances, to
engage in manufactures whether they are protected
or not and the great fault Of the high protection
which they receive from the tariff of le42 il, that
it is calculated to exclude many foreign goods which
the consumer obtain, and thus it taxes the farm
err, and merchant, and mechanic--indeed all classes
Of the community-for the benefit of the manufac-
turing interest. Hence the enormous profits which
the rich manufacturing capitalist is reaping, and the
extravagant dividends which the large associated
and incorporated companies are receiving They
dividing from fifteen to thirty per cent, and in
some cases more; whilst the farmers are scarcely
making more than four per cent. upon their farms.
1t is much to be desired that the present oppressive
tariff should be reduced to the revenue standard.
Let there be as ample reduction as possible.
Were the blessings as well as the burdens Of the
government equalized, there would be no cause
for complaint. The people would be satisfied.
There would be no dissensions among the different
sections of our extensive country Capitalists would
know what they are to count upon from invest
ments; for the tariff would be permanent, and this
constant struggle for reduction would at once be
arrested. !
With these impressions, we have read, with great
pleasure, the following remarks in the Somerset
IN. J.) Messenger" Of the 10th inst, upon the
Secretary's "circular," though we might, perhaps,
modify one or two of its expressions.
"TrE TARIFF crRcyLAR--The wing papers, it to
u.s. when audng to the tariff treat their readers if they
minimizing class Of people, who exercised
their memories about things past their Judgment upon
things future. How else can account man.
and thorough examination of this great subject which
the proposes to enter upon at the next Con
gressf MIR. Polk is pledged 10 such tariff will give
fair and reasonable protection to all the great interests Of
the country without taxing the people to any greater
than the reasonable demands of the government
call for This principle was openly and universally advo
Gated by the democratic party last fall from end the
Union to the other The present tariff law is not such
system; and certainly the democracy OF the Union have
made pledges in favor OF its maintenance The columns
Of this paper and of every democratic paper in New
Jersey and again occupied in show
ing up its inequalities its and its frauds
| and at every democratic meeting attended, the
tariff, Isl conasted with benign and ration
al tariff should be- Mr. Polk and his adminstra
tion have not the least doubt will prove faithful
his pledges which the people read and upon which they
acted Those pledges 60 far enough for reasonable and
fair protection to the great manufacturing interests of the
country which at the time does PROSTATE the
mer the sailor the merchant To go to work under
sandngly the Secretary Of the Treasury distributed
circular asking for information relative TO the trade and
profits OF the several industrial pursuits but upon this
seemingly innocent and reasonable circular much wing
wrath has been expended They do not wish people
have light The monopolists of Lowell end Of Boston
receiving regular dividends Of per every months
and intermediate extra dividends Of 10 per while the
Of real scarcely realize per and
when proposed to ask Why this so the hue and cry
is raised about home industry and pauper labor and SINH
lar catch phrases in the hope of sitting the inquiry This
| 10 weak il is more--it Is dishonest
We believe the great mass of the people ish to have
this tariff question settled permanently make
moderate and nicely adjusted not to be oppressive
At such settlement the President aims. Towards this
letter to Mr. Kane last and his inaugural speech
tended and to acquire facts necessary opinion
the information required by this circular is wanted"