Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-12-17
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
(coNcLupEp FROM SUPPLEMENT-

excluded them from importation, or greatly reduced
the amount imported, and thus diminished instead
of producing revenue BY it the taxes We're inn
posed not for the legitimate purpose Of raising TO.
venue, but to afford advantages to favored classes
at the expense Of large majority of their fellow
citizens. Those employed in agriculture, mechan-
zeal pursuits, commerce, and navigation, COM
PEELED to contribute from their substance to swell
the profits and overgrOwn wealth Of the compare |
lively few who had invested their capital in manu- |
features. The taxes not levied in proportion
to the value of the articles upon which they We're
imposed but, widely departing from this Just rule
the lighter taxes were, in many cases, levied upon
articles Of luxury and high price, and the heavier
taxes on those of necessity and low price, sumed
by the great mass of the people. 1t was system
the inevitable effect of which was TO relieve favor
cd classes and the wealthy few from contributing
their just proportion for the support of Government
and to lay the burden the labor Of the many en-
gagged in other pursuits than manufactures
system so unequal and unjust has been super
seeded by the existing law, which imposes duties
not for the benefit injury of classes pursuits
but distributes, and, far as practical, equazes
the public burdens among all classes and occupa-
tons. The favored classes who, under the unequal
and unjust system which has been repealed. have
heretofore realized large profits, and many of them
amassed large fortunes, at the expense of the many
who have been made tributary to them will have
no reason to complain if they shall be required TO
bear their just proportion of the taxes necessary for
the support OF Government. So far from it, it will
be perceived, by an examination of the existing
law, that Determinations in the of duty i'm
posed, within the revenue principle, have been
tanned in their favor. The incidental aid against
foreign competition which they still enjoy gives
them an advantage which no other pursuits possess.
But Of this none others will complain, because the
duties levied are necessary for revenue. These
venue duties, including freight and charges, which
the importer must pay before he come in com
petition with the home manufacturer in
kets, amount, nearly all leading branches of
manufacture, to than oncthird of the value of
the imported article, and in some cases to almost
one half its value With such advantages, it is
not doubted that our domestic manufacturers will
continue TO prosper, realizing, in well conducted
adjustments, even greater profits than be deri-
we'd from any other regular business. Indeed, so
far from requiring the protection Of incidental
revenue duties, manufacturers in several lead
ing branches are extending their business, giving
evidence of great ingenuity and skill, and of their
ability to compete, with increased prospect of sue
cess, for the open market OF the world. Domestic
manufactures, to the value of several millions of
dollars, which cannot find market at home, are
annually exported to foreign countries With such
rates OF duty rs those established by the existing
law, the system will probably be permanent and
capitalists who have made, or who shall hereafter
make, their investments in manufactures, will
know upon what to rely 1.-The country will be
satisfied with these rates, because the advantages
which the manufacturers still enjoy result necessa-
nly from the collection of revenue for the support
of Government High protective duties, from their
unjust operation upon the masses of the people, can
not fail to give rise to extensive dissatisfaction and
complaint, and to constant efforts change or re-
peal them, rendering all investments in manufac-
lures uncertain and precarious. Lower and more
permanent rates OF duty, at the same time that
they will yield to the manufacturer fair and remu-
nerating profits will secure him against the danger
OF frequent changes in the SYSTEM which cannot
fail to ruinously affect his interests.
simultaneously with the relaxation of the re-
strctive policy by the United States, Great Bri-
tain, from whose example derived the system,
has relaxed hers. She has modified her corn laws
and reduced many other duties TO moderate reve-
nue. rates, After ages of experience, the statesmen
Of that country have been constrained by a stern
necessity, and by public opinion, having its deep
foundation in the suferngs and wants of impover-
lshed Millions to abandon Il system the effect OF
which was TO build up immense fortunes in the
hands of the few, and to reduce the laboring mil
lions to pauperism and misery. Nearly in the
same IA ito that labor depressed capital was in
creased and concentrated by the British protective
policy.
The evils of the system in Great Britain We're
at length rendered intoerable, and il has been a.
bandoned, but not without severe struggle on the
part OF the protected and favored classes to retain
the unjust advantages which they have so long en-
joyed. 1t was to be expected that similar sirug-
gle would be made by the same classes in the Uni
tea states, whenever an attempt was made TO mo-
dlty abolish the same unjust system here. The
protective policy had been in operation in the Uni
ted States for much shorter period, and its PERM
cous effects were not therefore, clearly perceiv
ed and felt. Enough, however, was known of these
effects to induce its repeal
1t would be strange if, in the face of the exam
pie OF Great Britain, principal foreign customer
and of the evils of system rendered manifest in
that country by long and painful experience, and in
the face of the immense advantages which, under
n more liberal commercial policy we are already
deriving, and must continue TO derive, by supply.
ing her starving population with food, the United
States should restore policy which she has been
compelled to abandon, and thus diminish her abili-
ty to purchase from the food and other articles
she SO much needs, and we so much desire to SELL
BY the simultaneous abandonment of the protect
i've policy by Great Britain and the United States,
new and important markets have already been open
cd for our agricultural and other products com
merce and navigation have received new impulse :;
labor and trade have been released from the artif
cial trammels which have long fettered them;
and to great extent reciprocity, in the exchange of
commodities, has been introduced at the same time
by both countries and greatly for the benefit Of both
Great Britain has been forced. by the pressure of
circumstances at home, to abandon policy which
has been upheld for ages, and TO open her markets
for immense surplus OF breadstulIs and it is
confidently believed that other Powers OF Europe
will ultimately the wisdom, if they be not
compelled by the paupersIn and su1erings Of their
crowded population. to pursue a similar policy.
Our farmers are more deeply interested IN main
tanning the inst and liberal policy of the existing
law than any other class Of our citizens. They
constitute large majority of our population; and
pursuits prosper also. They have heretofore not
ONLY received of Ike t,unfips f,vnrs 90