The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-29

ofshches Oh American industry.
Every one OF these cardinal principles was stud-
ousy defeated and set at naught in the tariff of
io4@' a deliberate issue was made up between the
TWO systems and the result is before the country
That result, viewed in connexion with the great
principles inyoyedin it, cannot but be regarded as
a most just and benehcent reform-a Legislative
achievement wholly in harmony with the advanc.
ins civilization OF the age. An attempt was
made at the last moment in the Senate TO
denounee the tariff of 1886, as an aristocratic
measure, operating in favor of the wealthy, and
against the mddling classes. But we respect
fully ask the reader to look in this view at
the effect OF the law the prices Of some of the in
aispohsaoie necessaries Of life. IL reduces the tax
upon salt from cents per bushel, to half cent.
II reduces the tax upon sugar from two and half
cents to one cent per pound. Abolishing
the minimum principle, and all specific duties,
It reduces the tax on those cotton fabrics
most generally used SO per cent; and on
woolen manufactures the reduction is at least 10
per cent. The law OF l842 was framed for the
especial protection Of those great establishments
IN which machinery is the main working power, in
which hand labor is an slement comparatively in
considerable, and which are almost exclusively in
the hands Of the large manufacturing and fa-
vored capitalists, in far as such classes exist
IN the land. To give this protection to such
interests, the law Of ls42 wholly disregarded
the true nature and limits of the taxing power grant
ed to Congress by the constitution. To oyerturn
such law, and to establish in its place a revenue
system on the.pnnepes and with the practical re-
suits which we have enumerated, is a great demo-
cratic achieyement-a wise and glorious reform; but
oil course, the most serious and powerful oppos-
ton was to be expected from those gentlemen who
have been long attached to the protective system.
Through great difficulties, and over most formi-
dabe Obstacles this has been carried by the
efforts Of the democracy in Congress, Ia small and
respected portion Of that party alone excepted) IL
rests with the efforts Of the democracy in the country
to uphold II and keep it safe The nature of the oppo-
sition which the law encountered in its passage may
be summed up in a word. II was met by a vast
and imposing array Of united and organized capital
This opposition resorted to all the expedients, the
stratsgems, and the weapons Of warfare which such
great and organized interests we'll know how TO
employ and to WELD. Memorials, petitions, the
press, the panic-all came up to aid the great
talents which belong to the wing party in the Senate
Against these, as Of old, in former struggles, the
democracy has triumphed. 1t has got the relief
and the justice which it asked. But al
ready, before yet the new bill has become,
by executive signature, the law of the land-in
advance Of all experiment trial. the cry of repeal
has gone forth. We must therefore, look for renewed
agitation. Mr.. Webster, Mr. Simmons, MIR. Hunting.
ton, Mr. Miles, &c, have already sounded the trum-
pet Of defiance, and warned US in the face of the
country upon the floor Of the Senate chamber, that
a fierce and desperate war is to be waged upon the
bill Mr.. Webster declares that, scarcely before the
ink shall be dry the attack shall be made upon it
and that he will be here the first day OF the next SEES
sion, to move its repeal if circumstances should JUS
tfy it. We ought to thank these gentlemen for the
warning they have frankly given We might have
expected this serious opposition. Monopoly never
renounces its privileges without contest A party
like the wings, mover abandons its favorite policy
without the most determined opposition. We must,
therefore, expect attack and we must be prepared
for it. Fore,oarned, torearned We must-the pro-
tected interests so will it-gird ourselves up anew
for new canvass, to sustain a revenue tariff Its
opponents proclaim that they will spare effort to
pull it down. They powerful, opulent, united, |
energetic, and perfectly organized. They must be |
met in the strength of truth and JUSTICE by an oppo-
ston on the part of the democracy as energetic and
unseeping their own efforts. The facts of the
case must be brought home to the people. In every
form Unpopular appeal, in the circulation of pamph-
let's and speeches, in widespread democratic associa
tons, in all legitimate NODES of rousng and inform
ing the public mind, the truth must be brought out |
and sustained; and revenue system as author |
lied by the constitution in place of policy, oisted
upon the constitution and upon the people under
the name of protection, must be upheld by fair and
open argument, if this attack be made upon the new
law.
In reviewing the whole process of the passage of
the new measure, we turn with especial pride and
pleasure to the noble stand assumed, and the high |
and statesman-like views expressed, by the Vice
President. Seldom has a momentous vote been Civ
en- bya high public officer in this country under |
more imposing circumstances. Seldom has the per-
Torrance of high constitutional duty been placed
upon more elevated and commanding grounds. The
clear and comprehensive survey Of his whole posi-
ton which the Vice President presented in few
weighty words will command the respectful admira
ton of the whole country. Mr.. Dallas has
strongly indicated his claim to the confidence
which his great constituency had reposed in him by
his election Without waverng and without Of.
fort, in frmnesa of purpose with comprehensive
view and clear perception he has risen to the whole
height of his position. He has performed his duty
He has rendered his reasons. Let him wear in all /
honor the laurels which he has won
The part which the executive department Of the
government has taken in the recommendation and in |
the construction of this great measure of reform, is
before the country. 1t has been done with manli- |
ness and with frankness through the appointed con-
FORMS The President, in his annual mes
sage to Congress, made full and frank exposition
of his views, and threw the whole weight Of his
official recommendation into the scale of tariff re-