American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-03-05

many 10 lile Cole1s Oh lne lew. Sucn system
is incompatible with the ends for which our re-
publican government was instituted. Under a
wise policy, the debts contracted in our revo-
luton and during the wal of 1912, have been
happily extnguished. BY judicous applica-
ton of the revenues, not required for other ne
cessary purposes, it is not doubted that the debt
which has grown ont of the circumstances of
the last few years may be speedily paid off,
| congratulate my iellow-citizens on the en-
tire restoration of the credit of the general
government of the Union, gand that of many ef
the States. Happy would it be for the indebt-
ed States if they were freed from their labli-
ties, many of which were incautiously cor
tracted Although the government of the u
Mon is neither in a legal nor a moral sense
bound for the debts of the States, and it would
be violation of our compact of Union to as
sumo them, yet we cannot but feel deep
interest in seeing all the States meet their
public liabilities, and pay off their just
debts, at the earliest practicable period
That they will do so, as soon as it can be
done without imposing too heavy burdens on
their citizens, there is no reason to Doubt
The sound, moral, and honorable feeling of
the people of the indebted States, cannot be
questioned; and we are happy to perceive a
settled disposition on their part as their ability
returns, after a season of uneXampled pecunia-
ny embarrassment, to pay off all just demands,
and to acquesce in any reasonable measures to
accomplish that object.
One of the difficulties which we have had to
encounter in the practical administration of the
government, consists in the adjustment of our
revenue laws, and the levy of the taxes neces-
sary for the support of government. In the
general proposition, that no more money shall
be collected than the necessities of an economi-
cal administration shall require, all parties seem
to acquiesce. Nor does there seem to be any
material difference of opinion as to the absence
of right in the government to tax one section of
country, or one class of citizens, or one occu-
patton, for the mere profit of another. "Jus-
tce and sound policy forbid the federal govern
ment to foster one branch of industry to the
detriment of another, or to cherish the interests
Of one portion to the injury of another portion
of our common country" | have heretofore
declared to my iellow-citzens that in "my
Judgment, it is the duty of the government to
extend, as far as it may be practicable to do So,
by its revenue laws, and all other means within
its power, fair and Just protection to all the
great interests of the whole Union, embracing
agriculture, manufactures, the mechanic arts,
commerce, and navigation" have also de-
clared my opinion to be Sin favor Of a tariff for
revenue" and that Sin adjusting the details of
such tariff, have sanctioned such moderate
discriminating duties as would produce the a
mount of revenue needed, and, at the same
time, afford reasonable incidental protection to
our home industry" and that was Composed
to tariff for protection merely, and not for re-
venue"
The power "to lay and collect taxes, duties,
! mnoctS and eyciSps - WAS an indiSDnnc, hla ono
to be conferred Oh the federal government,
which, without it, would possess no means Of
providing for its own support. In executing
this power by levying tariff of duties for the
support of government. the raising Of rerenue
should be the object, and protection the incident
To reverse this principle, and make protection
the object, and revenue the incident, would be
to intict manifest injustice upon all other than
the protected interests In levying duties for
revenue, it is doubtless proper TO make such
determinations within the revenue principle, as
will afford Incidental protection to our home
interests. Within the revenue limit, there is
a discretion to discriminate; beyond that limit,
the rightful exercise of the power is not con-
ceded. The incidental protection afforded to
our home interests by determinations within
the revenue range, it is believed will be ample.
In making determinations, all our home inter-
ests should, as far as practicable, be equally
protected. The largest portion of our people
are agriculturists. Others are employed in
manufactures, commerce, navigation, and the
mechanic arts. They are all engaged in their
respective pursuits, and their joint labors con-
stitute the national or home industry. To tax
one branch of this home industry for the benA
fit of another, would be unjust. No one Of
these interests can rightfully claim an advan-
tage over the others, or to be enriched by inn
poverishng the others. All are equally enti-
tied to the fostering care and protection of the
government In exercising a sound discretion
in levying discriminating duties within the limit
prescribed, care should be taken that it be done
in manner not to benefit the wealthy few, at
the expense Of the toiling millions, by taxing
lowest the uxuries oflife, or articles ofsuperior
quality and high price, which can only be con-
sumed by the wealthy; and highest the necessa-
ries of life, articles of coarse quality and low
price, which the poor and great mass of our
people must consume. The burdens ofgovern-
ment should, as far as practicable, be distrbu-
ted justly and equally among all classes of our
population. These general views, long enter
tanned on this subject, have deemed it proper
to reiterate. 1t is subject upon which con-
iiicting interests of sections and occupations are
supposed to exist, and spirit of mutual con-
cesslon and compromise in adjusting its details
should be cherished by every part Of our wide
spread country as the only means of preserving
harmony and cheerful acquiescence of all
in the operation of our revenue laws
Our patriotic citizens in every part of the
Union will readily submit to the payment OF
such taxes as shall be needed for the support of
their government, whether in peace or in war,
fthey are so levied as to distribute the burdens
as equally as possible among them.
The republic of Texas has made known
her desire to come into our Union, to form a
part of our confederacy, and enjoy with us
the blessings of liberty secured and guaran-
tied by our constitution Texas was once a
part of our country-was unwisely ceded
away to foreign power-is now independ-
ent, and possesses an undoubted right to dis
/ r,,ro &c nr The 1uhnle of hnr t.rr;t,r..