The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-07-28


is not local, but party distinction.
Thus, while the Wing States of New
England are all in favor of Protective
Tariff, New Hampshire and Maine,
which are not Whig States, are opposed
to IT. Aud south of the Potomac, it
would be difficult, suppose, 10 find any
men, but ayowed Wings, who favor the
Tariff policy.
Tariif-or no tariff, protection or no pro-
lection, thus becomes a gread leading
question. All Wings are on one side.
and generally speaking, all who are not
Wings on the other. But then arises the
pecuiiarify in the state of things in Penn
sylvania. Pennsylvania is strong Tar
fl State. Among her citizens the pro-
tective policy overrides the general de-
cision of political parties, and men who
are not Wings support that policy, firmly
and ardently. This is clear. Every
body knows it, and it needs no proof
Well, then, what has happened, in con-
sequence of this well known state of
opinion, in Pennsylvania
/ Docs the party, here, act against the
Tariff Does it speak the same language
which il speaks in Carolina! Oh, no,
nothing like it. In Carolina and other
States, the whole party exists, principal
ly, for the purpose of putting down the
Tariff, and roofing it out, TO the last fibre.
They call it the ''black Tariff they de-
nounee it as cruel and oppressive; and
they openly intimate the idea that a dis
ruption of the bonds Of our National u
Mon would be less evil, than the estab-
lishment and continuance of protective
principles. But, 10, when they come
into Pennsylvania, all is changed. Here,
they themselves, are tprofessed Tariff
men. Mr.. Polk, their candidate for the
Presidency, is declared to be a supporter
of the Tariff, Protectionist, thorough
Pennsylvania, on all these subjects.
This is, at least, bold stroke Of policy.
| will not say how respectful it is to the
intelligence of Pennsylvania; will only
say, it is bold, very bold political
movement. In every State where the
anti-tariff policy is predominant, or IN
which the party holds anti-Tarifr opin-
ions, there Mr.. Polk is pressed upon the
confidence Of the people, as an anti-Tarif
man & because he is an aHti-Tariff man;an
anti Tariff man, as they commonly say,
sup to the hub. But in Pennsylvania,
his claims to confidence and support are
urged with equal zeal, on the opposite
ground, that is TO say, because he is a
Tariff man, and Tariff man equally cup
to the hub" Here, the whole party,
their speakers, their writers, their press,
adopt fully, and support warmly, the
Tariff principles Of the wings, the Tariff
principles Of Pennsylvania. Here, they
sail nnder the Whig flag, they would get
into the Whig ship, seize the Whig rud-
der, and throw the old crew overheard.
Or, if they keep in their own craft, they
still hoist false colors, give their vessel
new name, and destroy their old logbook.
Gentlemen, think if Mr.. Polk were
to find himself in circle Of friends, com
posed partly of citizens of Carolina, and
partly of those of Pennsylvania, he would
find himself in a curious dilemma. 1t
would be wounder, if he did
not set these two sorts Of friends
at once by the ears. The Carol
lima gentlemen would shout "Polk forever,
and down with the Tariff of IS42 - The
Pennsylvania gentlemen would say,
"Polk AND the Tariff of 1912, foreverr'
And what would Mr.. Polk say! Why,
uttering his own well known opinions, he
would say to his Carolina friends, "Gcn-
tlemen, you do me no more than justice.
am opposed TO the Tariff Of 1912, and
think it ought to be repealed. In the
canvass against Gov. Jones, in Tennessee
last wear, made more than one hundred
speeches against it. | am for bringing all
duties down to the point they were at in
June, 1912; that is to say, TO one uniform
rate of 30 per cent. You know | have
agreed with you throughout on this great
question Of Tariff for protection. have op-
posed it by my speeches, by my pledges,
by numerous and repeated declarations,
and by my votes. All show what have
: thought, and what | think now.
This would be manly, this would be
fact, this would be all right, and Carolina
huzzas, and Carolina clapping of hauds,
would not unnaturally follow this plain
and frank declaration with characteristic
earnestness. But how would the Penn
sylyania gentlemen stand thisl How
would Mr.. Polk appease them! Now, l
will not say that he would, with his own
tongue, and from his own lips, speak
directly contrary language to them. do
not think him capable of such ehrontery.
But if he were to give utterance to the
opinions which those put in his mouth,
who support him here in Pennsylvania,
he would say, "My dear friends Of Pen.A-
sylvania, you have heard what l Lave
said to Carolina gentlemen. Never mind.
| don't know exactly what | am, but I
rather think am better Tariff man than