The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-09-05
From the Boston Post
BUSINESS AND THE TARIFF.


The whiss have thrown out their banner, and on
it is inscribed repeal of the tariff of 1886 Their
tactics are already developed, namely, TO unite the
business community In fierce crusade against the
administration. They will strive to recreate the
stirring times Of the removal Of the deposits, and
this by pursuing the policy Of agitation. Soon,
unless the leaders eyince a disposition to back out
supporters that business mems best business, until
the democrats are driven from power, is politics
And thus is the great vital question Of tariff TO be
used as the ladder Of some political aspirunt.
This policy will be bat continuation Of their
policy for years past II has been their aim to con-
noct the fluctuations of trade with political measures
TO secure for themselves the credit Of producing
business prosperity, and TO fasten on democrats the
charge Of bringing on commercial revulsons. They
In 1884 endeayored 10 make II clear that JacksoD's
veto created the disress Of the merchants in 1887
they affirmed that the bank crash proceeded from
democratic measures. They promised that the
election of lS40 If favorable TO them, would restore
confidence, and this would recreate trade But
business grew from bad 20 worse. They then
declared that nothing short OF national bank would
relieve the country. But at length the country
began TO breathe freer, ere one Of their noslrums
had been applied they passed the land bill and laid
the change to this. This measure, however, was
repealed Next came the 1912 tariff, and the same
blessings that we're promised TO result from the land
bill were transferred to that tariff Now il is re-
Pealed, they once more prophesy ruin. Such in
brief have been wing tactics They claim for their
thunder all Of prosperity there is.
But are business men disposed TO second again
this suicidal policy Are the holders Of manufac-
turing stocks prepared to deprecate by joining in the
foolish ruin cry, the value Of their property ltw
be admitted by all that nothing is more desirable
than permanency in tariff policy; the pro-
ducing interests ready they fairly estimate
what effect the new tariff will have their pur-
SUITS TO cry out for another change Besides should
they do IT, what Is the prospect Of success'
What prospect do the recent elections give Of
change Of politics in the popular branch Of Con-
gTess' In fact, there is not the slightest ground TO
hope for repeal for three years; and ali this time
must business be kept in suspense Are whig bu-
siness men to aid the fllhment of the ruin prophe
cies Of their party willing forego the profits Of their
trader IL may be well for some Of them TO remem-
Der the ridiculous figure they cut (when President
Polk was elected) in endeayonng TO raise a panic.
The whig leaders then mourned and gave vivid
descriptions Of the approaching ruin. But the peo.
pie would not lament, and trade would not stop; and
finally they all gave up, as bad job, the bust
ness OF getting up then panic. Ii remains to be
seen whether the same rabid politicians will make
better piece Of work OF noto Ii the mass OF the
business community second them, il will be but up
hill work, even for short time; and the fall crops,
that promise more abundantly than ever, that will
soon be pouring over our railroads, and down our
water courses, will as completely Waterloo the
Il
elements then will not combine favorably for a
panic. And if the wing business men, because
their leaders say otherwise, choose to think they
will, the only consequence will be that democrats
will do the trading and pocket the profits 1t will
be hard even TO sustain panic among the iron
mongers,
But what is the tariff law that the wings profess
to be in favor Of repeaingI Ere it is condemned so
ercely, it ought at least be examined II will be
found free from the great inequalities that character
ize the tariff of 1872 and equally from the horizon
tai principle once sanctioned by Henry Clay. In
speech delivered June 81, 1910, at Hanover, and re-
ported in the National Intellgencer of July b. cor
rected and revised by himself, he said:
"The question cannot be, ought not to be one of
principle, but Of measure and degree. | adopt that
of the compromise act not because that act is ire
peaabe, but because 1t met with the sanction of the
nation. Stability, with moderate and certain pro-
lection, is far more important than instability, the
necessary consequence Of high protection But the
protection of the compromise act will be adequate in
most If not to all, interests The twenty per cent
which 1t stipulates, cash duties home valuation, and
the list OF free articles inserted in the act for the par
tcular advantage Of the manufacturer, will insure,
trust sufficient protection Although they will
amount probably to not less than thirty per cent
greater amount Of protection than was secured pri
or to the act of 1925 which no one stands up to de-
fend."
Now the tariff of 1886 possesses, in the degree of
impartiaty with which it deals with large interests,
this great characteristic Of stability" that Clay
highly and so justly commended. And if it is just,
as a revenue system, towards the great commercial
and agricultural, well as manufacturing interests,
what pretence is there for its repeal2
But the people, and business men especially, will
disregard these factous appeals, and Judge this
question on Its own merits. II is national in its char
acer and demands, instead of sectional, national
ordeal. 1t comes home to the interests Of all; and
when special interests cry out that they have been
treated with injustice, because, in brief, the new
bill does not give tlem bounes coming up to their
expectations, it may be well for consumers to ask
eft of these special interests-in order that they
may swell their profits. We have confidence that
the people will frown down this new attempt to
bring business again into the arena of politics.