The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-08-21
Mr.. wEBsTER's EMOTIONS. ~

| No man is less disposed than ourselves to depre-
ciate the talents Of the honorable" senator from
Massachusetts,; but it is very problematical
whether, with oil his eminent abilities, he
possesses that strong practical, sturdy, CON-
mon sense which in the composition of a sound
statesman is worth more than all the other qualities
Of the mind put together. 1t presupposes great clear
ness Of views, and consequently great stability Of
purpose. Now, Mr.. Webster is not gifted with the
former, if may judge from the mutability Of his
measures. In 1921 no seemed to hea frmer
| friend Of free-trade principles than Mr.. Webster.
But this was when the mercantile interests OF Bos-
ton were stronger than the interests Of the manufac
turers. When Boston changed its phasis, the sena-
| ZIONIST. Three years ago, when his was Secretary
of State in Mr.. Tyer's cabinet his mind seemed to
| take rather a new direction. He was in favor of a
more liberal and reciprocal system of commerce with
Great Britain, although it might involve considera-
BILE sacrifice ofproecon. These views were expressed
by him in his celebrated speech at Baltimore on the
| 18th May, lS43, when he made speech strongly
squirting repeal Of the tariff of l842-wihn less
than year from the laws going into execution.
At that time, too, Mr.. Webster had idea of the
great relaxation which has since taken place in the
| corn-aws of England. He then declared:
81 hav'nt heard suggestion from any quarter
that England would be inclined to a modification of
| her corn-aws, properly so called-I mean her du-
ties on wheat and -four. But it has been suggested
| | know not with how much plausibility, and beg
| it may be received as merely a suggestion of my
OWL have heard it suggested that in regard
| to this article of wholesome and cheap food,
/ Indi md ha
induced to place upon its importation low and
| fixed rate of duty. Now it is at least worth in
curing 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 In
dian corn raised in the United States for every
one of wheat; and the surplus of this article beyond
| the wants of the consumer at home, even if it were
but small surplus, if it could be introduced at
lower rates of duty, would make wide difference
| in the aggregate" ..s .... ..s.
As a consideration of the reaxations to which he
refers in the British laws, what did Mr.. Webster
then propose' ...
| Undoubtedly, undoubtedly, the only inducement
we could hold out to England would be modifica-
| ton of the tariff of the United States This prop
ostion may seem unwse, 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 modification Of the tariff ia a
question Of great deicacy and great difficulty. MY
experience has not given me clear knowledge Of il;
but this do know, that, by making the tariff stable
and firm, we shall render it healthful and udicious
If by any great operation that should unite the in
teress and opinions of all parts of the country we
can place the protection Of American industry and
American labor permanent foundation that is a
much more important consideration than the de-
gree to which protection may be extended. Zap
pause."l
Now, when England has not only modified her
| corn-laws in relation to maize, but TO wheat and
four and rice, and other important articles of our
agricultural productions, (salted provisions, &C.
and now, when the policy of the two governments
is coming to the same point of relaxation, not by
negotiation and reciprocal treaties, but the force Of
the true policy of each country, and wise regard
to its own nterests-and not through the prelimina-
ry action of the treaty making power, but by the
separate and amendatoral exercise Of the Legislative
power in each country--now when one of Mr.. Claws
great arguments for osettng the protective measures
Of England by our own protective policy is actually
exnguished by the liberal course of Sir Robert Pee
I-nop, when England has substantially repealed he,
corn-laws, and we have modified our own tariff still
leaving % or 30 per cent duty, with incidental
charges, to operate protection to cur own man.
ufactures-and now, when Mr.. Webster's great prin.
ciple of stability Of regulation, SO much more i'm.
porant las he said in ls43 than the degree 10 which
protection may be ertendtd," is about coming into
lPlay-what do we see' This great statesman is
unwilling to let us have more liberal trade with
Great Britain; and before our Law is passed repeal
ing the act Of ls42, he sounds his clarion in the
Senate chamber, and cries out, "RepeaI, repeal;''