Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1845-03-13

| ndPPy "oulo IL De IOr tne INDEBTED States II they
were freed from their liabilities many of which
were incautiously contracted. Although the gov
eminent of the Union 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
assume them, yet we cannot but feel deep inter-
est in seeing all the States meet their public liza
bilities and pay off their just debts at the earliest
practicable period. That they will do so as soon
as 1t can be done without imposing too heavy bur-
dens on their citizens there is no reason to doubt
The sound moral and honorable feeling of the
people of the indebted States cannot be question
ed; and we are happy to perceive settled dispo-
siton on their part, as their ability returns after
season Of unexampled pecunary embarrassment,
to pay off all just demands, and to acquiesce in
any reasonable measures to accomplish that object.
One Of the difficulties which we have had to en-
counter in the practical administration of the gov
eminent consists in the adjustment Of ocr revenue
laws and the levy Of the taxes for the support of
government. In the general proposition, that no
more money shall be collected than the necess-
ties Of an economical 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 occupation, for the mere profit of another -
Justice and sound policy forbid the federal gov
ernment to foster one branch of industry to the
detrment of another to cherish the interests of
one portion to the injury of another portion of our
common country" have heretofore declared to
my fellow citizens that in "my judgment, it is the
duty of the government 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 pro-
lection to all the great interests of the whole Union,
embracing agriculture, manufactures, the mechan-
ic arts, commerce and navigation" l have also
declared my opinion to be I" in favor Of tariff for
revenue" and that, in adjusting the details of
such tariff, have sanctioned such moderate dis
eliminating duties as would produce the amount
of revenue needed, and, at the same time, afford
reasonable incidental protection to our home in
dustry;" and that was "opposed to a tariff for
protection merely, and not for revenue"
The power "to lay and collec, taxes. duties, i'm
posts, and eScises," was an Indispensable one to
be conferred on 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 govern
ment, the raising of reUenue should be the object,
and protection the incident. To reverse this prin-
ciple, and make protection the object revenue the
incident would be to inhct manifest injustice upon
all other than the protected interests.
In levying duties for revenue, it is doubtless
proper to make such determinations within the
reuenue principle, as will afford incidental protec-
ton to our home interests. Within the revenue
limit, there is discretion to discriminate beyond
that limit, the rghtful exercise of the power is not
conceded. The incidental protection afforded to
our home interests by determinations within the
revenue range, it is believed will be ample. ln
making Determinations, all our home interests
should, as far practicable, be equally protected
The largest portion of our people are agricultural
lists. Others are employed in manufactures, COM
merce, navigation, and the mechanic arts.
They are all engaged in their respective pur-
SUITS and their joint labors constitute the national
or home industry Totax one branch of this home
industry for the benefit of another would be un-
Just. No one Of these interests can rightlully
claim an advantage over the others, or to be en-
riched by impoverishing the others. All are
equally entitled to the fostering care and protec-
ton 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 tax
ing o,cest the luxuries of life, articles of supe
ror quality and high price, which can only be
consumed by the wealthy and highest the neces-
saries of life or articles of coarse quality and low
price, which the poor and great mass of our peo-
pie must consume The burdens of government
should, as far practicable, be distributed justly
and equally among all classes Of our population
These general views, long entertained on this sub
ject, have deemed it proper to reterate. IL is
subject upon which conflicting interests of Sec
tions and occupations are supposed to exist, and
spirit of mutual concession and compromise in
adjusting its details should be cherished by every
part of our widespread country as the only means
of preserving harmony and cheerful acquiescence
of all in the operation of our revenue laws. Our
patrotc citizens in every part of the Union will