The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-14
TUESDAY, July IA, 1886.
IN SENATE.
The journal having been read

The journal having been read
..a....l..a,. 4 THE TARIFF. t-s. .a... g
Mr.. WEBSTER rose and said: rise, Mr. Pres.
lient, to perform the first act for which an OPP
portunity has been afforded me in regard to sub
lect of which can conscentiously say, that never
IN the discharge Of any duty Of public nature, did
approach transaction or begin discussion with
deeper sense or conviction 81 the Importance at
tached to it, or stronger feeling of the responsible
~ devolvlng upon me as a member Of the Senate.
am about to present, with the leave of the Senate
petition against the bill now before the Senate en-
titled act to reduce the duties Imports, and for
other purposes. Notwithstanding, Mr.. President,
the general expectation or rather the frequently re-
peated declaration that the new administration
would think of their duties repeal or great
y to modify the act Of MISUNDERSTANDING tho
frequent communications on the subject from the
executive Chief Magistrate in his inaugural address
and in his annual message--and notwithstanding all
those expressions of apprehension which those OPP
posed to the election of the present Chief Magistrate
distinctly and strongly made during the tendency of
The eection--notwithstandng too, the long period
during which the bill has been under consideration
IN the other House, andthe late hour Of the session
at which 1t made It's, appearance here--notwih-
standing all these circumstances--and netwithstand-
in admit, that the country has the full means of
knowing, and should have taken notice---notwith-
standing, admit, that the country was put upon it's
preparation and ought to have made that preparation
yet the fact is now unquesonable, that the APP
pearance of this bill in this houee, with the prospect
If its passing and becoming law has taken the
country 10y surprise, and il is apparent from the pa.
per which am about 10 present to the Senate, is
beginning TO produce CONSERVATION and alarm. Sir
vt has not been expected anywhere from the Poto-
mac to the Penobscot, that a bill founded on and
containing the provisions which this bill contains,
could possibly receive the sanction of Congress.
The people were unbeeving and therefore thew are
disappointed. Sir, 1t is not my purpose now TO en-
ter into discussion either Of the principles Of this
OIL or Of it's provisions; but If my health holds out
under this broiling sun, il is my purpose to dis
charge what think to be my duty, by a thorough
examination of the principles Of the BILL n thorough
examination of all its details. propose to do this
Mr. President, without acrimony, without crimna-
ton, and without denunciation, but | do hope to
show the Senate that this bill is novel; so dan.
serous vicious in its general principles that it s
so i'll considered so rash, and, must say so intern
,,crate in many Of its provisions, that il cannot but
produce in the country the most serious ard perma4
nent mischief il il should become law. The bin
assumes its basis the ad vaorem system exclu-
lively and is the first instance the existence of
his government OF tho adoption Of such measure
This bill was pressed upon the consideration of the
Senate yesterday by tho hoporabie senator from
Alabama, with his accustomed ability and ner
,pionty as being founded on the onlv trne pr;n
plc--thst principle being in the estimation If the
honorable senator from Alabama far preferable IN
specific duties. thought that the honorable sen0.
or almost imputed 10 our forefathers ao,bors of
The first Law for collecting duties from irnports mn.
Ter this government fraudulent purposes, becaose
he seems to CONSIDER that the ends and objects of
esortlng 10 specific duties from the beginning were
10 conceal from the people the amount Of taxes paid
by them 1t bold proposition that al valorsn du-