Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-10-10
MR.. POLK AND THE TARIFF.

CHE elegant disquisition which follows on the
eacctioaocring policy and public character of the
President, 10 worthy Of the readers undivided and
sdmiring attention; We do not certainly know the
shor, but he writes with the chaste simplicity of
scholar, reasons like man Of deep observation
upoa human conduct and his conclusions are in.
accordance with all his reasoning and all the pre-.
devastating characteristics Of Mr. President Polk,
- revealed by his public career.
This writer and ourselves reach the same goal,
though by routes somewhat varying-namely that
Mr.. Polk, Notwithstanding the clustering prepar.
aiioas Of the Secretary the Treasury, and the
lsod prossssions Of the "organ," (mere sprnges to
10 any essential, organic change in the Tariff of
1s42i This writer ascribes his anticipated con-
duct solely to inserest and fear: We supposed that
priscpls might have something to do with it that
Mr.. Polk in his Kane letter, written in 1914, had
expressly declared for "Revenue Tariff with in
cidsntsl protection" the only kind of Tariff the
Wings do now, or ever did contend for rs a par
~; that this declaration was in the nature of
pledge which had satisfied New York and Penn
sylvania, and thereby beyond the smallest doubt,
elected him; and that he was bound not merely
- servant Of the Republic exercising its highest
powers to fulfil the popular will, but a gentle.
man to respect his personal pledge!
We do not believe still that we have conceded
any too much to Mr.. Folks character: We are
far from thinking him Sutherland Albany
Regency Politician: That he trimmed and shut
Hed in the canvass Of 1874, is manifest but al
lowances are to be made for man acting under
ths greatest temptation which could be offered to
krr on1 ~ L.
pair try to repair his dsenge nuousness in 1874
TO his conscience and his country, and we have
confidence not only in Mr.. Folks political int
rests but In his personal principles, to defeat at
the right time, the destructive changes in the TIA.
riff policy Of the country, ostensibly (though we
believe ostensibly only menaced by trading and
eccentric politicians.
But whatever his motives may be is immaterial
10 tbs country, he fuJfLs his pledges, and saves
Il anew from the Commissions and ruin Of 1897
and go
0sndsmsns-In your paper Of Wednesday morning ~
Hivs for believing that il the wilh Of
government to accomplish any material reduction in the
Ht sad that the ossntsous preparations Of the Secre
ny d The Treasury and the reiterated romises and
vssIons Of the Union end in smoke. In this opn
loo hsaruly do believe that Mr.. Polk 10
willing involve his sdm nisuson 10 the embarrassment
which would result from inadequate revenue and
ths detection and opposition Of the gre body Of the north
dsmoeraey. Much Temporary evil may arise from do
noosus6ons hostile TO the tariff, the necessary effect
which must b to impair public confidence in n stsbl
snd unsss the business Of the county, but the insci,
ey Of tho free trade party in the Congress will doubt
lees shsw that little serious daDgers to be sppeed
that grssi and beneficial Wing measure.
You seem, however, find shade Of additional secu-
y In the hope that Mr. Polk may too much principle
forfeit the pledge soemnly gven n his Kane letter
In this hope do not share. cannot forget that while tina
letter (sedulousy framed doubt double sense
hsd gained him support in the north 4 tari msn-a
better tariff than Mr.. Clay"that while political pro-
carried banners inscribed with bis name and the
tsnG Of lS42,"-he tina, very time the chosen can.
dsds OF the free trade party in the South looked to
bin for the OF their hopes And when CON-
usss sppoinied solicit farther exposition of his
vsws Alleging that party the other necessarily
dsesivsd since he supported the protective cand-
date W one section OF the Union, and the champion OF
rsds In another, what his course To their repeated
solicitations he refused give any snswer the fraud
which be knew had been perpetraed in his name work
10 eject unsested. And thus by perssng in this
fasshood his own by deliberate adoption il orgina
tatsnt, he succeeded in uniting upon himself sufcien
number OF the votes OF dscordant parties his cleo
uou Talk not TO me Of his principles barrier an,
course In which his interest may DO involved II tho res
Of bis life had been pure course in re
gsd 70 inc hsnc iesr " enough 70 show that his
polous ambition working in corrupt heart would sscrhee
any pnsepIs OF honor honesty that stood In the way Of
bis bopss Personal fear. the dread Of iny or con-
science iae which seldom poweross even in the won.
a Dss. might strain him from Of the grosser deln
9asooes but the dupci and sehshness Of his past
duet evidently prove that elevated generous principle
hss much con troll over his actions.
And, hsrefore. having confidence IN tho President
am happy 70 believe that the tsd policy rests on rmsr
fovadsass than his fidelity to pledges or principle.
A WhE Of 30.