The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-02-24
The Tariffs OF the United states and Great
MISUNDERSTANDING.

The most important item In the commercial news
from England, received by the last steamer, was
that in relation 10 the contemplated changes IN the
tariff laws OF Great Britain. The notifications pro-
posed by Sir Robert Peel particularly refer to the
staple agricultural productions of this country; and
If the people OF the Western States have heretofore
hesitated in giving their aid in reducing the tariff OF
this country, this last movement of the British Co.
vernment is peculiarly calculated TO soften down
any prejudice that may hitherto have existed, and
induce the representatives from that section OF the
country to give their hearty support to any
calculated 10 connect the commercial relations OF
the two governments more closely than ever before
realized If there existed any doubt in the mind Of
the Secretary of the Treasury as to the success of
the bill presented to the Committee OF Ways aad
Means, or one similar to that, in,the important tea
ture, il must have been removed on the receipt of
the recent intelligence from England; and if any
opponent of reduction In our tariff had hopes that
alteration would be made the tarifiac of 1872
those hopes must have disappeared the moment the
commercial accounts from England came to hand.
The commercial systems of the two countries are
destined 10 experience great and important atera-
tons. more liberal policy has been adopted by
the governments of both countries, and when per-
fected, the commercial prosperity of both must be
the details of the tariff acts of either country.
II is the general principle look at, and the effect
we anticipate upon the interests of each country.
The various reductions made in the tariff Of
Great Britain since the present ministry came into
power, have invariably met the most sanguine ex-
pectatons of the party proposing them;and even many
OF those opposing the measures in their incipient
stages, have since acknowledged the benefits of the
change and become powerful advocates of fur
Their extension of the same policy. The rapid in
crease in the strength of the corn law league, ia
both Houses OF Parliament and the immense benefits
which have been realized from the previous modif-
cations Of the tariff, have given the present Premier
majority large enough TO carry through any alter
alton he may propose. The majority the Ministry
have in both houses, and the confidence that majority
have in any measure the Prime Minister may bring
forward, guarantees its adoption at once The al
terations in the tariff proposed by Sir Robert Peel
can therefore be considered adopted. They are
not subject to any contingencies. 1t may be looked
upon as settled. 1t now remains for this COVE m
ment to go TO work. and do by the government of
Great Britain, as that government has done by
this. Reciprocity Is the proper principle, as it en-
ables to carry out the maxim, do unto others
we would have others do unto u.s." This will APP
ply to governments, as well to individuals. The
doctrine OF free trade is no longer one of mere
theory-it has been practically demonstrated by the
government of Great Britain, within the past five
years; and under its operation, the prosperity OF
every domestic interest has increased and become
more soldly established
we can never carry into operation such liberal
commercial policy Great. Britain. Our tariff
must be continued at revenue standard The bulk
OF the revenue Tor the support Of the general govern
ment, is derived from duties upon foreign imports,
and to that source we must ever look for supplies
We could not establish income tax, or anv direct
tax, for the support oil government; and all we can
do therefore, under the circumstances ia to remove
all unnecessary restrictions from our tariff laws and
levy duty upon imports merely for revenue This
is all any foreign government can expect, and il is
as far we can go.
The tariff act now under consideration before the
Committee OF Ways and Means, sdecidedly upon the
revenue standard, as near as such a standard can
be anticipated twill rather go below that poin
than exceed 1t; and think it possible that altera
IONS, and we fear additions may be required in the
rate OF DUTY upon many items, to bring il up to the
proper level. The dd ralorem principle, applied Il
all articles, is an experiment. and its operation ia
matter OF much uncertainty.
A resolution OF inquiry into the exned,enov q
recprocating the liberal feeling Of Great Britain i
the modification of the tariff by mos,,v;no ~.
canal tolls on ARTICLES admitted into British Morris
duty free, has been introduced into the Legislature \