The daily union., 1846-08-28

"by making the tariff stable and hrm, we shall rem
der il healthy and iudiciousn The following Is an
extract from this speech;
"The direct trade between us and England Is
formed upon the real principle Of reciprocity, and
do not know that there is much difference in favor
Of either; il seems 10 be fair, equal, and Just The
trade between the United States and British colonies
on the contrary, in the West Indies, Is Of quite
different character. ..' ..
"But do not propose now to 90 into that matter.
But with regard TO the direct intercourse between US
and England, many wishes have been expressed, and
the opinion has been strongly entertained in favor OF
an attempt to settle the duties by treaty or arrange
ment; say, gentlemen, the agreement Of tariff du-
ties by arrangement, and use the term by design
i The constitution ofthe United States leaves TO Con-
gress the great business Of eyyDg duties for the sup
port Of government IL seems especially 10 be made
the duty ofthe House Of Representatives TO originate
i all Of revenue, or which shall essentially at
/ feet the revenue. There have been few cases IN
which treaties have been entered into having the ef-
feet TO limit duties. Bot Il s not necessary TO go on
the idea that IL we came 10 an understanding with
governments on the rates Of duties that understand
ing can only be effected by means OF treaty ranhed
by the President and twothlrds Of the Senate, ac-
cordng TO the forms Of the constitution; because fol-
lowing the example of the government IN what nov
exists the between the United States and
England touching the colonial trade is practically TO
give TO an understanding between the two govern
ments the force Of law by ordinary acts of egisla-
| ton
"You all know that the present basis Of trade be-
tween the United States and the British colonies
rests the concurrent acts, the concurrent or con-
ditona acts Of legislation Of the two countries Re
member that the Senate and House Of Representa-
yes have passed upon the terms Of intercourse with
| the British colonies, and 30 have both houses OF
the British Parliament and II the executive depart
ment enter into any negotiation on the subject OF
duties, then in the same manner may there be made
| in IL Al
providing certain duties, the other should provide
| by law for equivalent duties.
al mention this because have seen il often stated
that to regulate duties by treaty would be TO deprive
the House Of Representatives, the great popular
branch Of the legislature Of its just authority IL IL
true treaty is the law Of the land Il may repeal
a law Of Congress; but the whole business Of
revenue and finance, Of providing for all the wants
Of the country, is peculiarly the business Of the
HouSe Of Representatives, | am Of opinion, and al
ways have been, that there should be no eneroaeh-
| ment on the executive power by the legislature
| by the President and Senate under the treaty ma
king power, except in an important case, such as
the treaty with France in regard TO wines, and some
others.
"Well, then, gentlemen, if it be a constitutional
mode Of arranging the subject by means Of negoua-
on what is there in the present state Of our relations
with England which makes 1t desirable that such
| an attempt should be made All OF us know that
the principal interests Of the United States are all un
der considerable degree Of depression. The COM
mercia interest is depressed; the anufacturing in
terest is depressed; and far as am able to per-
ceive, the agricultural interest Of both north and
south is equally depressed. If look at the price
current in the grain growing States Of the west, or
IN the plantation States ofthe SOUTH perceive again
a great depression, and no great encouragement to
| activity and emulation. What is there in our con-
dton-what is there in the intercourse between the
! two countries TO Justify attempt at the arrange
| ment have mentioned
"Well, gentlemen on this subject | speak without
any authority. IL is not for me to assume to speak
Of sentiments Of persons abroad upon this subject.
But II is true that the opinion has become somewhat
current, that with England an arrangement might
he made favorable TO great agricultural interest
| That agreement must of course be founded on an
adequate consideration. But to the objects Of the
agreement which II is supposed may be favorable to
the United States, may mention the admission into
| England for consumption at lower rates OF duty oil
several of our large agricultural products. Ii has
been supposed, for example, that England may be
induced TO make important reductions IN her duties
on tobacco. confess have never been able to see
why not. The tobacco duty in England is mere
matter of revenue. There is collateral ulterior
object in it. The question, therefore, in the minds
| of English statesmen, as il seems TO me, can only
be whether a reduction Of the duty will diminish the
| aggregate of revenue. We all know that it often
increases shsaggregateand in regard to this article,
| if reduction Of duty Of one-half should augment
Il
| the English revenue.
at is supposed too, that the duty on rice may un-
dergo material and beneficial change. And this is
an article much depressed any other.
Then, again, is this great product of our own in the
/ United States-maZe, or, il is called, Indian
| hav'nt heard a suggestion from any quarter that
England would be inclined to a modification Of her
| corn laws, properly called-l mean her duties
wheat and flour. BUTT has been suggested, know
not with how much plausiblity, and beg it may be
|
heard it suggested that in regard to this article of
wholesome and cheap food, England might be in
duced to place upon its importation a low and fixed
rate Of duty. Now, it is at least worth nquiring
what will be the value Of this admission Corn is
the great grain product Of the United States The
statistical tables show that five bushels of Indian
corn are raised in the United States for every one of
wheat; and the surplus of this article beyond the
wants Of the consumer at home, if it were
but a small surplus, if it could be introduced at
lower rates of duty, would make wide difference in
| the aggregate ......'s
/ 81 am aware, gentlemen, land many of you know
all this subject better than do,) that this is an ar
/ tice of heavy fright; and yet it is brought from
Maryland, and Virginia, and Carolina to Boston,
i and even to Maine. The question is whether il
would not be worth while to entertain the purpose,
to try the experiment Of arranging with England for
a dminution Of the duty upon this article. In con-
sidering it, every body asks what is the guid pro
| quo?--what is the equivalent for this concessoni
i For what inducement may we hope that even this
possession may be obtainedi Undoubtedly, un-
/ doubtedy, the only inducemeut we could hold ont
to England would be modification Of the tariff of
the United States. This proposition may un-
wise, because the tariff is not for revenue only, but
for protection also; and how far both either of
these objects could be firmly maintained under any
j modification of the tariff is question Of great deli
cacy and great difficulty. My experience has not
given me clear knowledge fit, but this do know
that by making the tariff stable and firm, we shall
render it heathful and judicious. If by any great
operation that should unite the interests and opin-
ions Of all parts Of the country, place the
protection of American industry and American
labor on permanent foundation, that isa much more
important consideration than the degree to which
protection may be extended. (Applause.)"
i UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND.
i Faculty Of physlc.--Session Of 1857.
/ TTNHE lectures will commence on Monday 9th