The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-11
EEiraei Of a LITTER from
MISSISSIPPI, June 90.


notwithstanding the ardness of our democratic
Congress, am much encouraged by the bold and
sensible stand you take upon the tariff question.
Stnke fearlessly with your two-edgsd weapon, (all
ruin Is best policy) at the corrupt monster. The
abomnable system must topple under such blows,
u continued, TO rise no more. Tie people are with
you.
"Our esteemed Secretary OF the Treasury de-
serves much praise for bis arduous labors, and his
able exPositons upon the tariff question. Upon
another question this adage has lately been thrust
before the people; "one murder constitutes villain,
a thousand a hero" Shall one equally odous, Nth
truth, be applicable to our wise and eminent states
men'-that while they pass one law to make poor
wretch thief who steals a chicken, ard on account
of his crime subjects him to condign punishment,
they pass another law to take (by similar pro-
cess) yearly one half the atbought earnings Of
one man, and give them to another; and, too,
perhaps always, the hard and scanty earnings of
The poor industrious man bestowed graiuitousy
upon the rich and dle-aDd then, too, at death,
perhaps, have a monument erected to their memoirs
for statesmanshipl The concentration OF wealth "
an evil to society, and hndrance TO the admins
tration Of equal justice and privileges in a republican
government. Wealth enables its possessor to nfest
the halls Of legislation influence the action of the
representative in It's favor lenabIes him to acquire
all the valuable productive property Of the country
TO regulate the price of labor Of the laboring man.
and to monopoze all the advantages Of labor-savng
machinery. But under the practice resorted to, SO
oughly all questions by our Legislative bodies,
both State and national, one must come to the con-
illusion that tariff for protection, at least could not
long be tolerated.
"But could revenue tariff be now adopted HI
1t not been the practice of government from the
first, under the light that is now shed upon the
question, do not believe il could. II certainly
levies an unequal and unjust tax upon the commu-
nifty, for the purpose Of paying the expenses of gov
eminent, and is contrary TO natural and Just rights.
Tha nf h. MI 81 ,u, and
lofty one, so far her dealings or action relate To-
foreign countries with the exception, perhaps, ofso
far as the system of raising her revenue affects
them. II my neighbor produces surplus article,
and need it, and when he brings it to me take
one-half or one-fourth for the purpose Of paying
the expenses Of my family, would my conduct not
be extremely unjusp-snd could it be countenanced
by the construction Of any moral precept Of hon.
esty or right
Suppose I, In turn produced surplus article,
and carried it to my neighbor, would he not, to
save himself, retaliatel Then, what would either
of have gained but the i'll will OF each otherl Be-
sides, the precepts Of Christianity would condemn
u.s. the one for extortion, the other for retaliation.
"When our government raises a revenue from
tax on imported goods, does she not compel foreign
countries to pay the expenses of her government
Some, believe, contend that this is the effect
Well, would this not be extremely UNJUST Others
contend that those who consume the imported tax
ed articles, pay the tax, and this comes probably
nearest the truth. However, take either horn Of
the result and the unrighteous conduct supposed
above between myself and neighbor, isapplicabe to
our government. tEt s.-.
"On the one hand she efforts, or attempts to ex-
tort, tax from other countries, for the purpose OF
paying the expenses of her government. On
the other hand she takes it from the pockets Of her
own citizens in an unequal ratio, without their
knowledge or consent; and in many instances, per-
haps, taxing the poor laborng man to near Haf his
his earnings, while the rich are but lightly taxed.
'The word Of God, addressing individuals, says,
do as you wish to be done by" and "look not
every man on bis own things, but also on the things
If Others" This is a command. Then again 1t
says, she that loves me keeps my commands"
Here the keeping, or obeyng the commands, is the
evidence Of love. Then comes the promise, "AIl
hings shall work together for good to them that
owe God" | conceive that nations under the
same rules and regulations of moral law, of right,
md honesty, as individuals; and also to the conse-
luences Of sin and ofdong right. Hence, il is said
hat righteousness exalteth nation, bnt sin is a
reproach to any people," And what American is
here that does not gladly apply this heartfelt promise
% his country upon the condition which is given'
But the history of nations abundanty proves that
nations at one time exalted have had their DOWN
all, being reproached for their sin Of uDrghteous-
less. II is said by some that the people would not
Jay direct tax. This believe to be direct SLAM
Ter. The people do not refuse TO pay direct Stats
ak, and cannot believe they would refuse to pay
my direct tax which was necessary to pay the ex-
,enses of their government Bundelcund, in his
ID number seems to come to the conclusion that a
irect tax would most comport with equity and
ight, and it would seem that any man, with good
eason, must come to the same conclusion; how
ver he seems leave it for the present to take care
# itself, and advocates revenue tariff.
"a government like that Of the United States
which embosoms under its protection and control
ommunity eminent for its intelligence and con-
ornity to Christian principles, should, taking the
yord Of God as a basr, conform its laws to its Just
nd Hbern nrer entg nd he
pom these must be based all its laws, (if our gov
rnment shall remain, before the full blaze Of mil
,nial day, shall shine upon community Of Chris
ans.
PLANTER ANTLTARIFF