Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1845-10-16
SENATOR MsDUFFIE on THE TARIFF.

SENAlUN McDUFfiE On THE TARIFF.
The Charleston Mercury publishes letter ftom Sen
a,or McDhie. in which that geulleman expire ses his
eare confidence that President Polk will prove true l.,
the 'pedges Of the party by which he elected" in
reference TO the tarf-those pledges binding him and
them reduction Of the duties upon foreign imports
10 the "reyenue standard" Mr.. McDuife may not be
deceived in this opinon but If he shall not be- very
obvious that the people OF Pennsylvania will For it
is very certain tina, Mr. McDufies definition Of the term
"eyenue Standard" (he one. by the way is very
different from Mr.. Folks idea of IT, as contained in his
celebrated letter 10 James k Kane. IT, then, Mr. Polk
shall realize Mr. McDulis's antcpalions, he nus, of
necessity fasy the pledge given the people Of Penn
sylvania, in that letter. Mr. McDn1ie, Tor example.
says, thata revenue tariff is the oresl of duty up
on erery foreign import tia, will raise the required
amount Of revenues" and he takes occasion empha,icay
10 declare. thai in the adjustment, of the system he will
not listen To any exception. (as in Mckays bill. winter
before lasl.) in favor Of iron and sugar. He goes for
discrni mating duties, il is true but they very diff
feren from the of discriminating duties, which Mr..
Polk declared he in favor of in his famous elections
ee.ng epstleust as different as is discrimination for
protection aud discrimination against protection. MIR.
McDunie is opposed to horizontal tariff. because he
knows, that nasmuch upon some articles The small
lest duty would be prohbitoy and that many OF them
will bear but very small duty ii would be folly levy
upon them even his mag ca 40 per cent" or Secretary
Walkers "l2i per cent" by which they would be ex-
cluded from ports altogether. lie Is for no such
scheme which, notwithstanding II was gravely proposed
in the Virginia Locotoco Address Of 1913, he did rot
hesitate 10 brand on the floor of the Senate, rldc-
uous absurdty which no sensible man could approve
No: he is for discrimna iions,bn OF what sort lie
proposes fix 20 pc. the highest rate OF duty
and to discriminate belo,o that maximum, selecting for
the highest rates of duties those articles which we do
not make ourselves and upon which The lowest duties
now imposed and levying the lowest rates OF duty
upon those articles which come into competition with
similar articles of domestic growth or manufacture, and
upon which, with express view 10 their "proection
the highest duties now Imposed. Ia other words.
it is 10 the revenue policy which existed during
the administrations Of Washington. Adams, Jefferson,
Madison, and indeed of all our Presidents, from the
foundation Of the government until this time. Was that
Mr.. Folks pledge to the people of Pennsy lvania in his
letter TO Mr. Kane So far from it, did not Mr.. Polk
declare that he was in favor Of discriminating duties,
pessy for The purpose of protecting" all the great in
erests Of the country in other words, that he in
favor ola protecire con,radsngushed from strict
IN duty That letter is susceptible of no other
construction. II was written that it might be con
sirued 1t was construed. with his knowledge and
c,nsent and it elected him the office which he now
fills If, therefore, Mr.. McDullies prediction shall be
realized Mr.. Folks future course it is manifest
that his friends in Pennsy van a, who voted for him
der his pledge "proect" their great interests will be
shamefuy betrayed fate which they deserve by the
way. and the consequences of which, if they could fall
only those who merit the visitation, we should MT
regret to them suffer-
We are not aware that Mr.. McDnflie has any special
rea for the confidence which he unequyocay ex-
presses in Mr.. Polk. We imagine that he has not
Indeed incline 10 the opinion that his letter is intends
ed to lrighen him into the attitude marked out for him.
by giving him in advance hi mt Of the fate that awaits
him if he IA tiers in his Speculation will in
few weeks however be rendered useless by deveopmt
Of his views in the Annual Message indeed, he
shall, heretofore. employ language susceptible of
many meanings there factions in the party of which
he is the chief. OF one thing, however will ven
ture TO hazard prophecy-and that is that if Mr. Polk
shall adopt the opinions of Mr.. AcDuflie he will be
deserted this question by nearly fourth of his party
in the House Of Representatives. Electoneering slang
is thing Legislative action is quite another. The
Wing tariff will, predict, in all lis essential princi
Piles, whatever notifications. involving no principle
may be made in its Details reccue tie deliberate
ton te merit Congress in despite Of the Eocofoco
joly in both Houses =!