The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-08-15
sThe Second Sober Thought.

1t IS already evident, that the assiduity of those
who have engaged themselves in systematic ef.
! fortto beget an undue excitement in the public
mind, with re ference to the operation of the new
taraih, must fail Of the desired effect and thus be
unrewarded. To the observant man-the man Of
a well regulated habit Of thinking, an assurance
that such an effort must fail, precedes the proof il
IS entirely artificial, engages the attention of but a
very limited number, and abandoning reason and
common sense for pert assertion and vapid deca-
nation, wearies the judcious mind the moment it
ceases to excite it--and then disgust ensues. This
is plain to the philosophy of every man, however
humble his capacity may be.
A very few reflections seem to us sufficient to
aay all immoderate feeling upon this subject. and
to restore that mild and intelligent department OF
the faculties, which may TO some extent have been
abused In the first place IT should be borne in
mind that there can be no real evH but that which
is produced by the operation Of the new measure
itself. There may it is true, be artificial grevan.
ces oppression my be resorted TO for purpose,
and such proceeding is directly favored by that
portion OF the press, which so glibly chuckes over
the reduc ion of wages and hoditsef ready to re-
tail with the appetite of cannibal, every story
whether true or false, of the discharge OF work
men from employ, These two things work to-
gether, aud such press becomes the minion OF
oppression--a disgrace to itself aud pest to the
people, But ii men are true to themselves, they
can afard TO regard such objects with pity or con
tempt for there is bound TO their capacity for
mischief, and they cannot 60 beyond IT, All the
Artificial perplexity which may thus be put into
operation, must certainly come TO IN end. and that
speedily; and the only evil which can possibly be
lasting, is that which would pertain to the i'm
perections OF the bill itself until they were amen
ded. Whatsoever imperfections may exist, If
there should prove to be any will snon manifest
themselves after the bill is in operation; and any
effect really prejudicalto the true interests of the
country. can be, and we are confident will be
remedied at once. Congress will be in session
Immediately after the measure goes into operation
the same Congress, as respects both houses, by
which the bill was passed, and they will be pre-
pared and prompt to improve it, in any way that it
shah appear TO be necessary; for il Is the very
dwelling Of folly, to allege aganst entire half
OF the United States Senate, atraitorous- devotion
to British interest; apart from the utter want of
consistency which such course involves. imme-
diately after the most fearful denunciaons against
many Of the same men, for an alleged readiness
to rush into war with England about Oregon.
The entire and unconditional repeal Of the meas
ure which has been already proposed, does not
seem at all practicable, and we would not deude
its opponents with the vain hope that il is likely to
be accomplished. The system Indicated by this
tariff, amended as it shall appear nece sary, is be-
yond doubt to have thetral OF time, but whether
a fair one or otherwise. remains to be seen. Our
part in the matter Is TO urge our readers, for her
own good, TO give il "a working experience. The
prospect OF its continuance is to be seen in the
fact that there isno change 10 the national repre-
seDtation until the winter Of Is47 The session
Of the ensuing winter, isthe short session Of the
present Congress, and IL not to be expected that
that will repeal. howevermuch they may be dispo-
sed 70 amend their own work. But even admit The
possibility that BY the favor OF exciiemeut "a re-
that the Executive would suffer the defeat Or an