The daily union., 1846-06-27
THE TARIFF.

iosble bill of l642. Idle delusIon! The West II
A, strongly opposed to the tariff as the South, on
bioh and general pnneiples-as much Interested II
Il, redueton-as anxious TO buy their goods al
ebsap and to sell their productions as dear as any
section of the confederacy. Fortunately for them
a, well as for ALL the repeal Of the British corn
laws at this moment, and the laws which they have
pylousy passed for other articles, calculated to
omen an extensive market TO the abundant super
auities OF the West-their -four, Indian corn, the
sallsd pork, the salt beef, &c, &c.
We cannot desire stronger evidence OF these en-
iShtened views on the part Of our Western friends
than the following article from the "Indians State
Sentinel" of the l7th inst accompanied by letter
from Judge Wick, member Of Congress from In
diana, whose high and liberal republican character
i, dear to every man who knows him:
THE TARIFF
We publish in another column a letter from
Iudge Wick in which he states the position Of the
I.rA question Ia Congress. This, as well as every
other matter depending on legislation, seems TO be
Of secondary interest at present. IN consequence oi
the more exciting subject Of our Mexican relations
But for this the democratic party, we are confident,
would be impatient for an immediate equitable adj
jusment Of the tariff laws, and the reestabllshment
of the independent treasury--both measures Of the
trst importance--snd would make that impal.ence
uneauiyocally manifest So far the people OF
Indiana are concerned there not shadow Of doubt
in our minds to thsir opinions on these measures,
and especially as to their hostility TO the principle OF
"protection." No subject was ever more fully dis
cussed and fairly voted upon than this 1t was one
of The chief causes Of the political revolution Of
l843, which overthrew, in Indiana, the long and
firmly established dynasty Of whigeryi and since
that time, hostility to the principle Of favorng eap-
al at the expense Of labor has been constantly in
ereasing This is emphsticaly the in this the
5th) congressional district; and that It's
immense democratic majority will expect their rep
resentative carry their wishes into effect, 80 far
as he can do so by his VOTE without hesitation and
without reservation. We know it is urged by some
aint-hearted politicians that il might be good policy
to delay the passage Of these for the pres
ent because Of the advantage their enactment might
afford to whig politicians in the way Of deception
and humbug. IL is supposed that the war with
Mexico will create more or less financial embarass-
nent especially IL IL be long continued, and that the
protectonists and paper-money msn would charge
all the difficulty and distress" to the reformed tar
III and the sub-treasury. IL is quite likely they
would; we have heard wings threaten as much;
but is that sufficient reason for a failure on our
part to carry out measures which we honestly be-
leye to be right and which the true interest Of the
country demanGsl We think not. The fear Of no
such consequences should, for an instant deter us
from doing our duty, and doing II promptly. This
is the true magic Of success in politics. Time-serv-
ing temporzing, and hesitation justly create doubts
Of the honesty OF our intentions, and suspicion
TO the utility of our measures. We know that the
protective" features Of the tariff nfct the grossest
injustice upon the mass Of the people, and upon no
portion OF them to greater extent than upC the
people Of Indiana. Hardly a man among us is
benefited by the protection" OF the present tariff;
while the inevitable effect of it is, by constantly de-
pressing the produce markets, to strike at the very
yitals Of our only source Of prosperity. Why, then,
should our representatives hesitate!
Hall or RFPREsEsTArIvEs,
June 6, 1876.
MSssRs EpIroRs: On the 18th of this month the
bill TO modify the tariff will probably be taken up.
consider myself instructed to so vote as TO most
certainly secure a repeal Of the minimums and spe-
cfc duties Of the tariff Of 1912 l presume, also,
that my constituents understand me as being favor
able to pretty extensive free ist including tea and
coffee. But this understanding had relation to
time Of peace. We now in the midst Of a war,
which more than trplicates the national expenditure;
a war, the object Of which is permanent peace with
aneghboring nation, which has been led by national
vanity think seriously Of infictng upon US pun
ishment instead of rendering us justice, and whose
country is vastly extensive and naturally easy Of
Defence war which, if vigorously prosecuted, will
bring to peace, indemnity, and national aggran-
disement and extend the area Of our national lib
erty and laws; a war Of honor and glory, as well as
Of interest, and for justice. To carry on this war;
taxation must be increased or public debt incur
red to a large amount. My own Judgment does not
lead me to change the views, so often expressed in
favor Of tariff for revenue merely, without refer
ence to that purpose of monopoly falsely called pro-
lection. But am, presume, as have above sta
ted, understood by my constituents as favoring an
eYe freel List tea
that understanding, have said, had reference to a
time of peace. To save the government from the
necessity of incurring a public debt, or to lessen
its amount, my judgment indicates the propriety
Of assessing a moderate duty upon tea, coffee, and
the other articles included in the free list, in the
bill pending before Congress. IL is believed that
a ratio of duties upon the free list, equivalent to
cent per pound upon coffee, will be sufficient to
save us from public debt, at least greatly to re-
duce its amount Such duties will be proposed, to
continue only during the war, Or at least to termi-
nate in few months after the return of peace. II
is my desire that you and the other democratic edl
tors in my district should consult with our friends
and inform me, editorialIy, of the public opinion up
on this point. also desire our friends to write to
me freely on the point presented.
In less than a month from this time shall hav.
the votes to give, and consequently instructions, to
I've available, must reach me in something less thar
that time.
In 1eW uays snai nave procured an eStlilate Oh
the daily national expenditure, needful to carry on
the government and the war, and to meet public en-
gagements. shall send it to you for publication in
your paper, and the other papers in my district will
hope, transfer it, as well as this letter, to their
columns. Our people ought to know and under
stand all these matters. would write to each editor
in my district, but for want Of time. When they
this, or other communications from me, in the
Sentinel, desire that they will act as if they were
addressed to them.
Senator Webster, it is said, estimates our daily
expenditure now at a half a million This is an
er-esdmate--probably no. presume that it is
about $50 900 daily. But Of this will write more
accurately hereafter.
1t is said that the proposition TO modify the tariff
will meet with an opposition sufficiently strong to
be fatal. will believe that when see it, and moi
ill then.
Your friend truly,
w. w. WICK.