The Arkansas banner., 1845-11-05
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tour millions But the cotton manufactures
 annually produced in the United States are equally enhanced Tn price with the foreign, by the duty imposed on the latter, amount to thirty millions of dollars. Forty per cent. on this gives us twelve millions as the addi- tional burden imposed on the people, by the duty on cotton manufactures; so that the people are subjected to q burden of sixteen millions t4 obiain rcYenne of four, paying te the cotton manufacturers, who are now realizing from 20 to 40 per cent on their capital, thtee dollars for every one they pay 10 tue Government Now let us compare this duty on cotton manufactures, with like duty eh tea and coffee, which the manuiac- l lurers arlinily prevailed upon Congress to exemptffon dny altogether by the act of -l l551 Lei Us assume that we annually im- port tea and coffee to the amount of ten mil lions ot dollars under duty Of 10 per cent. i This will yield revenue precisely equal to that derived from the duty oa cotton manu- laeiafes, aid will imposa only one-fourth of the burden on the people. The money coI- lecied ai tlse custom-house would be the full measure ot tle popular burden. And yet 1t IS oite of ata schemes of the manufacturers 10 lei tea aud coaee remain free of duty. in order to create necessity for increasing the duties on sugar, iron, aud the various manu- iactnfes embraced in the protective system. ol ali loreign inpcfts, tsa and coffee are among ttie most prorsr subjects of revenue duty, nasmnct as thsy yield the largest amount af reyenue with the feast burden to the people, and ahat burden is equally distri- buted among the eonsgmsf5. But the manu- slfs.. ] tAina . eSci.ugSe ttpgl for tea, aud to Bfazil ahf c};51 to - n. for ca fee. understand perfectly well the benefit of free trade, if 1t be only eonii.7ad 10 themselves. They gre like Sir Robert Feels fisherman, who said b that minister, s.l am Free-trade man. sir, but you must not touch the duty on ish.o l have no doubt, therefore, that a powerful effort will be made by the manulac- tHfefs lo induce Congress 10 violate the true pflheiples oi revenue system, and the sole mn pledge contained in the Compromise act ei I633, by leaving lea and coffee with the long list oi foreign imports used by them in manufacturing, free of duty. But this scheme, r l am sure, can receive no countenance from the Administration. They will recommend no dlsefiminations, as We have been semi ellieally inlorfaed, but with view to rcve- nue; and upon every sound revenue princi- pie the highest rate of duty should be laid upon such articles as are not made in the United States. 1t this class were sufficiently extensive, tic whole of the Federal revenue should be dawn from it. We should thus have no wealthy aud influential class, draw ing Pfneely incomes from the eAtoried con irlhniloRs oi the people, and stimulating the Government to all sorts of extravagant ex- pendilures with view to keep up system ot high and oppressive duties.
 h any scheme which the Administration may present for adjusting the tariff, feel con lident that the leading feature will be the to-
 al abolition of minimum and specific duties. These are Iiauduleu! contriyances, lllht- serve no other purposes but to deceive the people and disguise oppression. Let us have ad ra- lofea 'daties that every body can understand. Let the people see the lull extent of their bur- dens, and if they mus! be oppressed let it be ESQ nominated mi the aond.n As tl.ese duties now stand, low priced ssttirles consumed by the poor pay the highest rates of duty, while those ot the highos, price, consumed by the wealthy, pay the lowest rate. This is a fatal objection to all specific duties. A yard of calico, for example, which costs six cents in Manchester, pays 2 cents duty, which is l50 , per cent. on is cost; while yard of thc finest colored muslin which costs 30 cents, pays only cents, equal to 90 per cent. on T it's cost. These reyoltiug deformities must be removed, and feel assured that Mr. Polk will cordially cooperate in the patriotic la bor
 It is appalant that the days of monopoly and commercial restriction are numbered in all the civilized nations of the earth Even ill Great Britain-so long held up to us by our monopolisis as an example for imitation i, all parties now coEcus il the principles of free trade, and differ oaly as 10 the time and , manner of reforming ancient restrictions and Q abuses. And permit me 10 say, that the day V that shall witness the downfall of commercial ;, restrictions and the establishment offree trade
 among the nations of the earth, will be the 7, greatest and most glorious era that ever mark ' ed the progress Of improvement in the tempo
 ral affairs of man. It should be the ambition ', oi our statesmen to take the lead in this great l. reform, which is destined, as firmly believe.
 10 contribute more to the liberty, prosperity. n and peace oi the nations than any event since the advent of our Saviour. In this view of
 the subject few men ever occupied more
 responsible position than MT. Polk, and i, have every reason 10 believe he fully realizes f that responsibility, and will so far elevate :, his views above the miserable schemes o
 mercenary monopolsts and faciionists con tending for office, as 10 be equal to the occa-
 sion and fulfil the expectations of his coun, i try.
 Yours, Sc.
 . GEO. MeDUFFIE. II ,,,