The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-15
THE STRUGGLE OF GREAT PRINCIPLES
THE REDUCTION OF THE TARIFF.

THE REDUCTION OF THE TARIFF.
ALLOW to say word the merchants Of country
nanother subject The time Is when they Paeu.
sn5o give 10 Commerce nyer,aIty as vet unknown re.
toh ustsr prnciPeswhich gaining ground on the
subject oFr Trade and to the growing disposition OF ma
tons promote It, Free trade This the plain duty and
plain interest Of the human TO level all barriers to free
exchange up the stem orestrcon root and branch
open Tnd On hsaanT %s are .ans t
wards il, and let hasten T. Under wiser and more
rerc do the swaddling bands by which, in
darker times the human body was compresssd"-Dr Chan
Ains. in one 81 his last papers.
The day has come when one Of the great princi-
Piles Of the democratic party is about to be vindi-
Gated II is, in fact the great question Of the pres
ent day-we say rather, it is the great principle Of
the age. 1t is the principle Of free trade. We
approach it with great kindness, forbearnce,
and courtesy for those democrats with whom
is our misfortune to differ, but with a firm
ness, clearness of purpose which no OBJ
stacle can shake--no difficulty subdue. We
have supported a reduction Of the tariff
for many years past. Our eye has been
fixed upon i, long before we came to Washington.
II constituted prominent feature in the
prospectus Of the "Union." Our eye has never
wandered from it for one moment since. We are
sure we need not remind readers with what anx-
iety we have watched ths question since the COM
mencement Of the present session Of Congress.
But the day Of trial has come at last; and this day
the friends Of liberal principles in the House Of
Representatives have marked their determination
to decide the question by triump plant vote A ma
oity OF thiry-three have determined to take up the
tariff bill; and who can doubt Of its final passage
during the present session.
We shall watch every movement with the great
est anxiety. And at the outset we say, let us not
be misunderstood. We take up the question from
no personal interests, end with no sectional feelings.
1t is not because the editor is Virginian-it is not
because he is from the South; but because, as an
American-as friend Of the true principles of pot
cal economyof the true, strict, State-rights con.
struction of the constuton-as an advocate of the
genuine spirit of our free and federal insutions-as
one who is in favor Of the great of the age
free trade--we came to enlist ourselves the
decided opponent of the bill Of denominations of
lS42 Southern as we are by birth, are Amer
in heart. We are devoted friends, as always
have been, of this glorious Union Amid all the srug
giles of par,yamd all the Entertainments Of the old
federal party of 179a- '99-amid the reverses of
The of 1912, and the conspracies of the Hartford
conyenton--amid the commissions of the Missouri
controversy, which terminated in compromise, still
more revolving than the adjustment Of the Oregon
question can be to our highly respected friends of
the West--amid all the camors and the threats Of
abolitionism--amd the tremendous struggles in S.
Carolina in 1882, against odious tarf--amid all
the rumbngs of the storm, we have adhered to the
Union Of our country, as the great sheet-anchor of
our safety. We have adhered to the true principles
Of the constitution the best of preserving
It, We have taken its strict construction as our po-
lar star. We have maintained, that in new coun-
try, Astounding with such vast masses of vacant soil
in a free country, where every man ought to be
permitted to choose his own employmcnts--and still
more, in federal republic which spreads over so
extensive an empire, iand therefore comprehend
such variety Of soils, climates, productions, and
lnterestsno general Cover nment can attempt to reg
uiate the labor and capital of the people,
without producing odious irregularity among
the burdens and benefits OF the various sec
tons and classes in the community. This doctrine
OF free trade is not only essential to equalization and
justice at home, but it tends bind together the va
rous nations Of the earth in the bonds of mutual in.
terest and Of solid peace. With these general views,
we meet the question which has this day come up in
the House Of Representatives, and we shall continue
to pursue it with eye that never winks, and
wing that never tires"
1t never could have come up under more propi-
tious circumstances. We pass over the devotion Of
the President Of the United States to the great prin
cipe Of the democratic party. We pass over the
admirable report Of the Secretary of the Treasury
We pass over the democratic rAiorties which we
POSSESS in both houses of Congress- The idea of
war with England was held over our heads as an ar
gument against reduction. II seems to have van.
ished. No one apprehends long continuance of
the war with Mexico. We can prosecute it by rails.
ing war duties on the free list and on the non-pro-
tscted articles, ami treasury notes or loans. And
was there ever a more fortunate conivnctonl This
very day. that brings the tariff bill before the House.
brings us by the lightning express F" the account Of
the arrival Of the Great Western, and with il the
important intelligence that England has taken new
start in the career Of free trade and that her corn-sw
has passed the House Of Lords by majority Of A.
England thus sets an example which we ought
TO be the FIRST to initiate She has offered to oar
brssdstuffs from the East as well as the West free
psrks' IN her country She opens the door Of =