The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-10
THE TARIFF.


THE TARIFF.
ga frequent recurrence 10 fundamental prinepies"
IL is advisable sometimes to repair to The fountains
ofour republican faith. We have document before
us, which was considered at the period of its pro-
daction, as Of the highest authority. 1t appeared in
the frat year of Mr.. Jeffersons administration; and
although that illustrious statesman presiding
over the administration under auspices which were
calculated 10 command the confidence and TO excite
the hopes of the republican party, yet there was not
wanting one powerful voice to pronounce "THE
DAssrR NOT OVER" Such was the memorable warn
ing which itannounced. TWAS written from Caroline
county, Virginia, October S, 1901 by the pen Of the
celebrated Edmund Pendleton, the president Of the
highest court in the Sute--one Of her strongest
men, and the uncle Of the distinguished John Taylor
of Caroline. We shall con6ne ourselves to the fol-
lowing extract, which is SO german to the times
before u.s. The sagacious mird Of Mr.. Pendeton
seemed anticipate the abuses Of the power of tax
alton which have been felt and complained of for
near thirty years;
"Union is certainly the basis Of our political
prosperity; and this only be preserved by con-
lining, with precision, the federal government to the
exercise of powers clearly required by the general
interest," or respecting foreign nations and the State
governments TO objects of a local nature; because
the States exhibit such varieties OF character and
interests, that a consolidated general government
would be in perpetual conflict with State interests
from lie want Of local knowledge, or from preva-
lence Of local prejudice or interest, certainly
to produce civil war and disunion. II, then, the
distinct provinces Of the general and State govern
psnts are not clearly defined; il tho former may
sa the latter by penalties, and by absorbing all sub
jects Of taxation; if system leading to consoida-
ton may be formed and pursued; and it, instead Of
leaving II to the respective States to encourage their
agriculture manufactures, their local interest
may dictate the general gopernment may, By bouniies
or protecting duties, tar the one to promote the other
then the constitution has sufficiently provided
for tho continuance of the Union, by securing the
rights of the State governments and local interests"
The same venerable file of papers, from which we
make this extract ("thc Universal Gazette, the pre-
cursor fthe present National Intelligencer,) un-
rolls to the wandering eye variety Of other reminis-
cences, which are worthy Of the attention of the
statesmen Of the present day. Among these, is the
following letter from Mr. Jefferson himself;
annoer of the President offhe United States to the adj
dress presented to him BY the House Of Reprssenta-
tipss of Vermont.
"WAsHMsroN, Nov. 90, 1901.
"s,R: receive with great satisfaction the address
you have been pleased to incose me, from the House
of Representatives OF the freemen of the State of
Vermont, The friendly and favorable sentiments
they are good as to express towards myself per-
sonally, high encouragements to perseverance in
duty, and call for my sincere thanks.
"With them join cordially in admirng and re-
verng the constitution of the United States, the
suit Of the collected wisdom Of our country. That
adj has, ~ tha Oh IF
proving, by example, that government, if organ
lied in all its parts the representative principle,
|unadulterated by the infusion Of spurious ele-
ments, if founded not in the fears and follies Of
man, but on his reason, on his sense Of right, on
the predominance Of the social over his dissocial
passions, may be SO free to restrain him in no
moral right, and so firm as to protect him from
every moral wrong. To observe our fellow-citzens
gathering daily under the banners Of this faith, de-
voting their powers to its establishment, and
with their confidence the instruments
of their selection, cannot but give new animation
to the zeal OF those who, steadast in the same be-
lief, have seen no other object worthy the labors
and losses we have all encountered.
"To draw around the whole nation the strength
of the general government barrier against for
egn foes, to watch the borders Of every State that
no external hand may intrude or disturb the excr-
else OF segovcrnment reserved to ITSELF 10 equatire
and moderate The public contributions that ,ohiie he re-
beyond tbs may erist 10 attract the attention Of cif
zen, from the pursuits Of useful industry, unjsy
20 burden those who continue in those pursuiis--these
are functions Of the general government, on which
you have right to call. They are in unison with
those principles which have met the appreciation Of
the representatives of Vermont, as announced by
myself on the former and recent occasions alluded
to. These shall be faithfully pursued, according to
the plain and candid import Of the expressions in
which they were announced No longer than they
are So will ask that support which, through you,
has been so respectfully rendered me. And Join
in addressing Him whose kingdom ruleth over all,
to direct the administration Of their affairs to their
own greatest good.
spraying you to be the channel Of communica-
ting these sentiments to the House Of Representatives
|of the freemen Of the State Of Vermont. beseecb
you accept for yourself personally as well as for
them, tie homage of my high respect and considc-
ration.
9TH. JEFFERSON.
AMOS MARSH, ESQ.,"
We also extract the following passages from the
35th number Of 1.-THE Feaeralist, from the pen of
Alexander Hamilton himself:
Suppose as has been contended for, the federal
|powcr Of taxation we're to be confined to duties on
imports; II 10 evident that the government for want
|of being able to command other resources would
Frequently be tempted to extend these duties to an
Bnjurious excess. There are persons who imagine
that this can never be the case; since the higher thew
pre-, the more il is alleged they will tend TO dscour-
ege an extravaganza consumption, to produce favor
eble balance oftrsde, and to promote domestic man
ufsctnres. But all extremes pernicious in vari-
pus ways. Exorbiiant duties on imported articles.
3krve to beget general spirit OF smuggling; which
always prejudcio to the fair treder, and eventu-
lily TO the revenue itself They tend 70 render othe,