Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-03-24

recommend TO Congress, and as far as the Execu-
i've is concerned, TO enforce by all means within
my power the strIctest economy in the expenditure
OF the public money; which may be compatible with
the public interests.
national debt has become almost an institution
OF European monarchles. Ii is viewed. in some of
them as an essential prop 10 existing governments
Melancholy Is the condition of that people whose
government can be sustained only by a system
which periodically isiers large amounts from the
labor OF the many TO the Golfers of the few. Such
system Is incompatible with the ends for which
our republican government was instituted. Under
wise policy, the debts contracted 10 our revolution
and during the war OF 1912, have been happily ex
tlngulshed. By judicous application of the reve-
nues, not required for other necessary purposes il
is not doubted that the debt which has grown out
OF the circumstances of the last few years may be
speedily paid off
| | congratulate my fellow citizens on the entire
restoration the credit of the general government
OF the Union. and that of many of the States. Hap
Ply would It be for the indebted States if they were
freed from liabilities, many of which were incau-
tlously contracted. Although the government OF
the Union is neither in legal nor moral sense
bound for the Lebts of the States, and it would be
violation of our compact of Union TO assume them
yet we cannot bu; feel deep interest in seeing all
the States meet their just liabilities, and pay of
their just debts at the earliest practicable period.
That they will do 50, can be done with
out imposing toe heavy burdens on their citizens,
there Is 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, their ability returns, after season
of unexampled pecunary embarrassment, TO pay of
all just demands, and to acqulesce in any
| able measures 10 accomplish that object.
Ore of the difficulties which we have
had TO encounter in the practical admins
traiion OF the government, consists in the
adjustment Of our revenue laws, and the
levy OF the taxes necessary for the support
Of government. In the general PROPOSE
ton that no more money shall be collected
than the necessities of an economical ad
minislration shall require, all parties seen
to acquiescc. Nor DOS there seem TO be
any material difference of opinion as &c
the absence Of right ia the government &c
tax one section Of country. or one class of
citizens, or one occupation, for the mere
profit Of another. Justice and sound pol
icy forbid the federal government to losier
one branch Of industry to the detriment o.
another, or to cherish the interest of one
portion 10 the injury of another portion Of
our common country."
have heretofore declared TO my fellow
citizens TINT. in my judgment, it is tho
duty Of the government to extend, as far a:
il may be pract cable to do so, by its reve
nue. laws. and all other means within il.
power, fair and just protection to all the
great inter OF the whole Union, embra
eng agriculture, manufactures. the me
chanic arts, commerce and navigation. p
| have also declared my opinion to be .'r
favor OF a tariff for revenue" and that ..ir
adjusting the details of such a tariff, have
sanctioned such moderate discriminating
duties as would produce the amount Of rev
enue needed. and, ut the same time, afforc
reasonable incidental protection TO our home
industry" and that | was ''opposed to ;
tariff ,or protection merely, aud not foi
revenue"
The power 'to lay and collect taxes ,du
ties, lmposts, and cxcises" was an indls
penSab!e one TO be conferred on the fede
raj government, which, without it, would
possess no means of providing for its own
support. In executing this poverty levy
ing a tariff of duties for tie support OF gov
eminent, the raising Of revenue should be
the object, and protection the incident. TIC
reverse This principle, and make protection
the object, and revenue the incident, wouIC
be to inllict manifest injustice upon all 9th
er than the protected interests. In levyine
dntes for revenue, il is doubtless proper tc
make such determinations within The reve
nue. principle, as will afford incidental pro
tcct on TO our home interests. Within the
revenue limit. there is a discretion to dis
crminate; beyond that limit, the riehiGu
exercise Of the power is not conceded
The incidental protection afforded to our
home interests by determinations within
the revenue range, i. is believed will be
ample.
In making determinations, all our HON
| interests should, as far rs practicable, be
equally protected. TIE largest portion Of
our people are agricul.ursis. Others are
employed in manufactures, commerce, nav
gation, and the mechanic arts. They are
| all engaged in their respective pursuits, anC
| their Joint labors constitute the national OF
home industry. To tax one branch of this
home Industry for the benefit of another
would be UNJUST No one of these in ereStS
can rightluIlv claim an advantage over the
others, or to be enriched bv lmpovershiGg
the others. All are equally entitled 10 the
fostering care and protection Of the govern
ment.
| In exercising a sound discretion in levy
ing discriminating duties within the linn,
prescribed, care should be raken that il be
done in manner not to benefit the veal
thy few AT the expense of the toiling mil.
lions, by taxing LOWEST the luxuries OF
life, or articles of superior quality and
high price, which can only be consumed by
the wealthy; and HIGHEST the necessaries
Of life. or articles Of coarse quality and
low price, which the poor and great mass
of our people must consume The bur-
dens of government, should, as far as prac-
ticable, be distributed justly aud equally
among all classes ofour population. These
general views, long entertained on this
subject, have de emed it proper 10 rei,er
ate.
1t is ssbject on which conflicting inter
csts Of sections and occupations are suppo-
sed 10 exist. and a spirit of mutual conces-
sion and compromise in adjusting lis details
should be cherished by every part Of our
l. h.