The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-31
THE AID yALoREM PRINCIPLE.


We see, with unmingled satisfaction, the spirit
and the vigor with which some of the democratic
papers in Pennsylvania are rallying in support of
the new revenue bill Among these, is the journal
from which we copy the two following interesting
articles. We would treat our political friends in
the great keystone State with all possible respect
but at the time, with all the frankness which
the cause Of truth demands at the hands of its
friends. Let the Truth go forth in the spirit which
these articles dsplay-in frank, free, and coneia-
tory spirit-and not afraid that she will
make her way through this distinguished State.
With the courage of Golden, and men like him, we
hope to the principle OF free trade triumph in
Pennsylvania-at all events the calculations of the
wings on our divisions upon this single question
baffied and defeated.
From the westchester CPs) Republican July Is. =
THE TARIFF.
HENRY CLAY u.s. THE WINGS
The federal wings, in their attempts to get up a
panic on the subject Of the tariff, operate against
the democratic party as they did the subject Of
the bank, to overthrow General jackson and
the democracy who sustained him, appear to pro-
coed upon the ground that any alteration modi-
hcation of the tariff Of 1912 is not to be tolerated
that to touch that law, the imperfections of which
are palpable, will bring ruin upon the country;in
other words, that the tariff of 1872 Just as is,
without alteration change, is essential to the pros
perity of the country! This is substantially the
course Of the federal panic-makers and their CO.
workers; and yet all sober-minded and rejecting
men cannot, upon due consideration, regard it but
as gross and pal pable attempt to humbug and de-
ceive the people. All the arguments advanced now, in
favor of having the tariff it u.s. are much like those
used by the same men, TO continue the monster bank
4 ufaa ha hanL tha, - a..
pensable to the welfare of the peoples SO is the tariff
of 1912 now; and as the representations Of federal
politicians, during the bank era were false and I'M
founded, and made only for partisan and political
effect, II is but fair to regard the tariff representa-
tons OF the same politicians worthy of no more
confidence.
The obnoxious features of the tariff of 1912 have
frequently been pointed out; and the injustice which
IT practices as between different classes and interests
has been, time and again, exposed. Indeed, these
were so palpable that leading wing members of Con-
gress, who voted for the law, admitted them as we
have heretofore shown, and said that a subsequent
Congress would have to amend or readust it upon
principles more just to all parties interested. And
Daniel Webster himself only few days since, on
the floor Of the Senate, as appears by his remarks
alry quoted In our last paper, admitted, substan.
tally, that modification of the tariff Of 1872 was
expected and desired, sin all parts Of the country"
and oy honest men of all parties" with view Of
settling the question upon grounds of permanent
stability" This is precisely what the welfare of the
country-what the true interest OF the manufactu.
rers themselves requires. We say settle the tariff
question upon just and fair principles, so as to do
justice TO all the great interests Of the country to the
north and south, east and west to the farmer as well
as TO the manufacturer to the poor as well as to the
rich, to the laborer as well to the capitalist The
law Of 1S42 does not do this, and the wing mo.
nePolists know it, and, therefore, they go for sus
tanning as Is; the tariff of l842 does not do this
and, therefore, the "honest men OF all partes will
sooner or LATER cause il TO be modified and amended
Tor truth IN this matter will eventually triumph over
error. As the great and revered jackson once re.
marked, truth is mighty and will prevail" among
an honest and virtuous people.
But we told that the tariff bill passed by the
tioase, end now before the Senate, ought not TO
become law. The reasons given against its pas
sage are very few, and when you come to sh
them, they generally amount to the old bank panic
cry, OF THE country IL prosperous now, with bt
tariff Of ls42, and il you change tha, The country
Will be ruined" Instead Of meeting the tariff cues
ton fairly and periodically with desire to have
ADJUSTED permanently and upon PRINCIPLES Of Justice,
as 'ntimated by Mr. Webster, they set themselves
against any and every effort to change or alter
law which is known and admitted to contain many
imperections. The truth is, the wing leaders, Is.
peeiahy IN Pennsylvania, do not wish this tariff
question to be settled, so that il will stay settled
Ihey think they make some capital for Their
party oy the agitation Of the question; and tn"
agitation they suppose will be kept up as long
the tariff OF 1912 remains unchanged. Should the A
question be put at rest, by the passage OLA law
that would do equal aud impartial Justice agricu,
,gre, manufactures, commerce, and labor Of al
KINDS, federal whigery, in Pennsylvania, would be
ma very hopeless condition; and Its leaders are
aware that such would be its condition. 4
there Is, however, one objection urged by the 4
penic-makers against the tariff bill now before Con
gress and that is to the I'D vaorem duties; duties
upon the actual value Of the goods or articles i'm
ported subject to duty. We'll, now, is this ad VS.
iorem principle right or wrong Is it honest o.
a'shonesf, |. compared with the specific duties n
me tarih az 1912 There may be an honest differ
enee OF opinion on the subject, but The wings, o
We shall presently show, pay but a poor eompr-
mest to the wisdom Of their "embodiment,r Her
~ Clay IN denouncing the ad valorem principle.
Under the tariff Of l642, there is a specific duty