Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-02-19
THE DEUroCRATxC PARTY AND A
PRnTEETIYE TARTEE

Democratic Congress IN rcpealing that crownng
act Of wisdom--the w big Tariff Of | 42;-and,
at the same time, stoully denies that its party
is opposed to the manufacturing industry Of
the country. This is what we call fair ex-
ample OF modest assurance in the official organ
! 1t forcibly reminds US Of the conduct Of per-
i sonage well known in scriptural history--a
certain JoAB who took ABsER aside in the gate
to speak with him quietly, and smote him I'M
der the fifth rib, so that he died.
The Union considers the Democratic party
the best friends of the manufacturing interest,
because they are opposed to the Protectiveprin-
ciple, which, he says. leads to destructive com
petition, and general complaint, each equally
Iunpropitious for its permanent prosperity.
We suppose the competition to which allu-
sion is here made must refer to the rival efforts
of our domestic manufacturers, although the
Union carefully keeps out of view the ruinous
competition, which, in the absence Of protec-
tive Tariff, must necessarily exist between the
free labor of our Country, and the pauper la
Dor of Europe. The official paper must be
aware, in spite of the voluminous essays of
Bundlecund, that the competition which the
Tariff produces at home has the effect of redu-
cling the prices Of American manufactures, in
many cases, below the amount Of the duty inn
posed upon the same articles imported from
abroad. II this is the competition of which
the Union speaks, we imagine the consumers
of the United States will not complain and as
to the manufacturers, we suppose of course
their wishes will never be consu tied.
As to the dangers that may result TO the
permanent prosperity" of the manufacturing
interest from the protective principle, we
suppose this is a component element Of the
ordinary Democratic slang in relation to this
subject, for in no other light can we regard it,
without entertaining reflections highly injuri-
Gus to their common sense. If that party are
interested in the permanence the Tariff sys-
tem--as the Union endeavous hypocritically
to make us believe-wby do they not manifest
their regard by permitting it to remain as it is
We do not believe that any danger threatens
the measure from its Wing friends, who con-
slider the permanent prosperity of the Country
to depend, IN a great measure, upon its being
saved from the ruthless grasp of Locofocoism,
But it is useless to discuss the probable fate
of the Tariff of 1912 The matter has already
been predetermined. Party has proved more
powerful than devotion TO the true interests of
the country, and when its behests areonce pro
| l.. L. Al.
stern DEGREES Of Mnos and Rhadamanthus.
J The question ofrepeal, cunningly yelled un-
der more specious terms, has already been
! brought before the House of Representatives,
and we shall shortly be called upon to undergo
| the torture Of regular Tariffdebate Doubtless,
during its progress, we shall have our mental
vision dazzled by floods ofradiance unsparing-
| " poured forth upon the hidden mysteries of
that great financial discovery of modern times
the reren,te standard We shall be told that
the ''patres conscripti" Of the Republic-such
men as Washington, jefferson, Madison and
Monroe, with host of other worthies-were
poor, short-sighted mortalS, ignorant of the
best interests Of their country, and in conse-
quence of that ignorance, perpetually fasten-
ing upon it, the most onerous and oppressive
! 5urihens Weshall be told that when they soem-
| phatcally recommended a Tariff for substan-
tial protection to the great interests Of the !
Country they Were counselhng violations of the
Constitution which they had swornto protect, |
and through theinstrumentality governmental
aid, introducing invidious distinctions amongth |
different classes of society. We shall bepointed |
to that budget ffinancial wisdom--Mr Secreta-
ny Walkers Report--and invited to examine
its ''rudis indigestaque moes" 1850 pages, in
order that we may learn how easily the eGpdte
statements Of Custom house subordinates may
be used to PROSTATE the best and dearest interests
of the Country. The Revenue standard is to be |
sought after amidst a Secretary's voluminous I
report, which, lift fail to equal its predeceS- !
sorS in other respects, will surpass them in
amplitude, therein at least, fulfilling the am
bton Of its author. The unexampled length |
of the Secretary's Report has we confess start
led US into fear, lest it may not be perused by |
those Of the faithful who do not possess much !
Illumination upon the absuuse subject of fl
nance. We hope, therefore, soon to enjoy |
the pleasure of perusing an abridgement pre-
pared especially with reference to a more easy
comprehension of the revenue standard. If the
Secretary should entertain a moments doubtys
let him remember the advice of the poet, and
forthwith proceed to the work
Isl tantus amor scribendi tie rapit, aude
Cesaris invicti res deere, multa laborum
Pramia laturus."
The repeal ofthe Tariff, we seriously believe,
is about to be consummated, and, unless we
are very much mistaken, not many weeks will
elapse ere the nation will be called upon to
mounts destruction. Even should tibet ortu- 4
nate enough to escape for a short period oitme,
theorists of our foreign affairs is so portentous
that there is reason to fear this great measure Of
domestic policy may besacrifced to England 70
purchase an inglorious peace. We are Ger
tainly DESTROYS to see our Governmentsuccess-
ful in maintaining its just claim to the Oregon