The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-14
REDUCTION OF THE TARIFF.

HEDUCIlON VI lhE TARIFF.
The existing war with Mexico can constitute no
for refusing to reduce the tariff. We have
present surplus of twelve millions off dollars The ex
pendlture Of less than this sum, we trust will bring
the contest to a speedy and successful termination
Besides, reduction of duties and fslrer eqnalza-
uon Of the tariff do not necessarily imply reduction
Of the revenue. On the contrary, the reduction OF
the duties, that nearly prohlbltory must increase
the revenue. The bill proposed by Mr.. Walker
brings, according to the estimates twenty-four mil
hons OF net revenue; that Of the committee, nearly
million morej which, together with the augmentng
proceeds of the sales of the public lands, will yield
an abundant revenue. 1t is dsgracefuI to the coun-
try to suppose that the contest with Mexico renders
improper any reduction of the duties. The present
is not revenue tariff and in of war, the heavy
duties will be rendered more prohibtory. This
subject is thus illustrated in the following passage
from the treasury report:
"The condition of foreign relations, it is said,
should suspend the reduction of the tariff. No
American patriot can desire TO arrest our onward
career IN peace and prosperity; but If, uRhappny,
such should be the result, il would create an in
creased necessity for reducing present high du.
ties, in order to obtain sufficient revenue TO meet
increased expenditures. The duties for the quarter
ending the Both September, 1874, yielded s2,Oll,.
Ss5 80 more Of revenue than the quarter ending
Both September lS45-showlng livery considerable
decline OF the revenue, growing out Of diminished
importation Of the highly-protected articles and pro
gresslye substitution Of their domestic rivals. In
deed, many of these duties becoming dead let
ters, except for the purpose of prohibition, and, il
not reduced, will ultimately compel their advocates
to resort TO direct taxation TO support the govern
ment. In the event of war, nearly all the high du-
ties would become prohibitory, from the increased
risk and cost of importations; and if there be, in
deed, in the opinion Of any, serious danger of such
an occurrence, it appeals most strongly their patr
otsm to impose the lowest revenue duties on all ar
cles, the only means Of securing, at such peri
cd, any considerable income from the tariff "
Let no member of Congress, therefore, refuse TO
support the rights Of our country abroad, from any
panic anticipation that it will the reduction
of the tariff. Far from IT, We must do our duty
in both ways, boldly and unhestatngly. Now is
the time TO strike against the tariff system. The
country demands it. Justice requires it, The pow
er is put into the hands Of the republican party to
consummate thus reform. We are waiting with
great impotence for the House to act upon the
tariff question. How long will it be before Con-
gIesS precious 10 act, anu 10 uCl ueClSNeIy, upon
this great and leading measure Of the present SEES
SION
There was report circulating through streets
to-day, which produced some surprise aRd excite
ment viz: that Mr.. Pakenham had protested against
our troops crossing the Rio Grande. As this rumor
may have flown, by this time, half the way to New
York, and may affect the price of stocks if it were
not even designed to effect that object, we deem ii
our duty to say at that the story ls so far as
we are advised, without any foundation. Certain
it is government has not yet heard Of any such
protest; and deeply, indeed, should we regret the
movement. We never expressed any sentiment
more honestly in our lives than that we desire to
If it be compatible with our rights and our honor.
There are no two nations the many-peopled
globe who contribute to each others prosperity
more in state Of peace, nure each other more
in state of war But we are perfectly assured that
any measure Of this description would so deeply
Gomplicate our relations with Great Britain, az to
make crisis probable, perhaps inevitable We
profess, to be as thoroughly acquainted with the
we satisfied that their public spirit, the sturdy
pride which characterzes the Anglo-Saxon race,
and which in our countrymen is as great, if not
greater, than what belongs to John Bull, would moi
permit our people to tolerate such an Intervention
on his part with impunity.