The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-18

TARFF.-THE PRESENT ADMINIsTRArIoN---The
wings and the ultra free-trade men of South Caro-
lima to be both jealous of the anticipated pro-
ceedings of the present administration. The wings
are very Justly alarmed for their protective policy
at the loss Of discrimination for projections; and the
free tradsts are very doubtful as to whether Mr..
Polk will discard the doctrines of protection alto
gcther II is impossible that the tariff can be ar
ranged at present, according to the theory of any
one, in all its Details where there are 50 many
cting interests to be considercd--or that will be
considered, whether they should be or not
It is plain, however, that Mr.. Polk was elected
on the question of tariff for revenue. This. in
fact, is the only kind Of tariff which Congress- il
authorized by the constitution 10 establish. The
power TO discriminate for protection in adjusting
which defines the powers Of the general govern
ment; and It 10 not an Insignificant power which il
unworthy Of attention, but one which may be used,
and which has been used, for the most mischevous
purposes-a power to control; rather to embarrass
and depress the industry Of the country, force il
into unnatural channels, and induce the symptoms Of
premature old age into our social system. II is a
power of partial taxation, which compcls one por-
ton Of the Union TO pay moro into tho public treas
ury than anothcr--a power to compel the great
mass 10 contribute TO the profits of few. The ex-
erciso of it has bean attended uniformly with vio-
lent dssensions Il ID in vain to tell the South and
West that the consumer docs not pay the amount
OF the duty upon all articles of home production
which como decomposition with tho foreign articles
1t ID in vain 10 tell the South that the restriction and
even tho prohibition Of foreign cottons does no,
iniurc the foreign market for raw cotton Il il vain
to tell those who have produce to export that
their market 10 not injured when a restriction is
placed upon imports--that we can sell when we
refuse to buy. Too much light has been thrown upon
the subject. The country cannot be longer humbug-
ged by such shallow sophistry az has been used on
this subject. The system Of protection s'is vicious
and mn md I'll
parties in England, by the hard lessons of expert
ence Il 10 the confession ola truth that political
economists taught long ago, and which experience
teaches everywhcre. We say, then, that the doc
trine of discrimination for protection ought to be
abandoned. II must be, sooner or later; and il il
just as well to do it now. We may hear an inn
ense deal about vested rights; but we answer, that
the farmer has good vested right to cheap cloth
ing ~ the manufacturer has 10 large profits, The
farmers right was vested first, and il Just az much
entitled to consideration as the manufacturers
The mass of the people have natural right 10 be
exempt from contribution to a few manufacturers
which has precedence of any right vested by an
act Of Congress.
The theory of the free tradsts REQUIRES the tariff
to be 90 laid that sufficient amount of revenue
may 30 raised with the least possible restriction
upon trade; that as much of the increased prics Of
an article az possible should 60 into the public
treasury, and not into the pockets the manufactu-
rer This will lead to the proper mode of discrmi-
nation Another principle should be kept in view
taxation should be equitable. Men should be
.equired TO pay as nearly as possible according to
ueir means Duties on the neccssaries oflife ought
ne,efore 70 be light, such articles should be en-
ureiy ree. Discriminate for revenuc--discrim-
ae 20 a. 70 make the incidental protection equi-
'aoc- aiscr'm,nate 80 that man shall be taxed
seIoIu'ng 20 ms means These are the only prin-
lowed. '"ou" 70 ar
We are aware that there is class of politicians in
the democratic party, who are willing ~ d.cr;r;.
nate for protection sciihn certain limits The srss,-
est amount Of duties will not be obtained bS The
on every article, which viii produce the maximun,
Of revenue. These politicians contend that we
may vary the duty to any point below the medium
which viii produce the greatest amount Of revenue.
The difficulty in acting on this theory is, that this