Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-08-20


say that the tariff law has most happily realiz-
ed the calculations Of its friends, and but to shame
the financial ignorance Of those public men who
predicted its failure1 1t has not only fulfilled the
expectations Of its friends, but Il has extorted hom-
noe from its enemies for | think have already
proycn that the Administration which is urging its
RENAL obtained power from the people by feigning
friendship for the principle oil that law It's details
have been attacked before the people, aud Il has
been plausibly urged that IFS imposition of duties
was in some respects unIust--bsafing oppressyely
unon The people. | think these objections have
been successfully met in this debate, and that il has
been proven that consumers are purchasing all the
articles, about which complaint has been made at
cheaper prices than at any former period. Yet
donet contend--no man on this floor contends
tha the tariff act Of 1912 is perfect measure and
if those who complain Of its provisions in certain
respects would concede the correctness OF the
principle upon which the law is founded, and bring
forward a proposition TO amend such detects as ex-
percnce may have proven TO exist, this side Of the
House would freely CO operate with them But it
seems that nothing short OF the absolute repeal oil
the tariff of lsi2 aud the enactment in its stead of
n new law founded on Re,1 principles, will satisfy
the majority on this floor; aud accordingly they
pernlcously urge the passage of the bill now be.
fore the committee. The time which yet remains
TO me is TOO brief for me to attempt discussion Of
this measure | must content myself by referring
10 the suggestions which made at the outset of
my remarks, as TO its insulfciency as revenue
measure, and by warning gentlemen OF the major-
~ that a tremendous responsibility will rest upon
them, il, when the nation is engaged in war-a
war Of unknown DURATION war which will draw
upon the Treasury of the Government to an IN
known amodni--they pass an act which, as has
been conclusisely shown by gentlemen both
sides Of the House, will not raise sufficient rev.
enue TO pay the ordinary expenditures of Govern
ment in time Of peace-ihereby striking down the
national credit and with il private credit, involving
the Government and People in all the evils from
which both were redeemed by the tariff act Of 1912.
| beg gentlemen TO heed these Suggestions and give,
for the sake OF the country, full force to the
promptngs Of patriotism, disregardng the obliga-
tons OF party, which are nulihed when they con-
fct with the higher obligations of patrioiism.-
When they shall see their country plunged into the
evils which have ntmated as likely 10 result from
the measure under consideration. they will find it
difficult to appease their constituents or their
sciences, by the assurance that they are merely
making an interesting experiment Of the hitherto
uulried theory of freetrade.
This theory Of free trade, though il has never
been carried into practical effect by this Govern
nent, is not new. It developed itself in the first
Congress which assembled under Constitution.
When that body assembled TO put into operation
the form Of government which the people Of the
United States had adopted to make the freedom
which they had won upon the batte-heds Of the
Revolution conduce TO the permanent welfare and
happiness Of themselves aud their poserlty, there
were eminent and talented men who commended for
this theory; but they failed TO convince majority
of that Congress that it was the true policy OF the
United States to adopt it, And, accordingly we
find that among the first acts Of tina, Congress was
law laying duties on imports. And that the pur-
poses for which that law was passed might never
be questioned or misunderstood the wise patriots
and statesmen who passed it, prehxed preamble,
which is in the following words;
whereas is necessary for the supper, Of the govern
ment for The discharge Of the debts Of the United States
and he encouragement and protection thai
duties be laid goods, wares, and Merchandise Be IL
enacted, S'c.
Since the time il has been the uniform policy Of
this Government in laying duties for revenue. TO
discriminate 'for the encouragement and protection
of anufactures." This policy has paid the ma
fiona debt which was contracted in the achieve
ment of Independence, and for the prosecution OF
the last war with Great Britainit has fortified
coasts aud seaportsii has built navy and navy.
yards-it has built our armories-it has supplied
the nation with arms and munitions of war for its
Slefence--it has furnished the Of exlinguish-
ing the Indian title vast and fertile doman--it
has paid the debt of gratitude which we owed TO
the soldiers Of the RevoutOnin short, il has sup
piled the Government with revenue TO accomplish
all the purposes for which II was instituted, without
subiecting the people to Inconvenience, or
burdens and it has encouraged and protected A
merican manufactures, until they have grown TO a
state ofmatBrty which makes us independent Of
foreign nations for all that we need for our comfort
and convenience in peace, or for our defence in
war and by creating home markets, it has placed
the welfare and prosperity OF our people upon a
more stable basis less subject than formerly 10 be
injnrousy affected by the political or commercial