The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-22
MR.. wEBsTER-On the TsiG system

upon the tariff bill. In anticipation Of such an
expression Of his present opinions, We make the fol-
lowing extracts from speeches delivered by him in
the House Of Representatives in 1924, and in the
Senate in 1923 and 1880 Mr.. Webster's opposi
uon to the tariff Of 1916 is well known, and We
have recently published the free trade resolutions
which were submitted at the Boston free-trade meet
ing in Faneui Hall in 1920, by committee. Of
which Mr.. Webster was a prominent member.
The extracts we now give, show his views Of the
tariff up to the year 1880. These his modified,
and, as may be supposed, his deliberate opinions.
He put them forth in view Of the inconsistency
which was charged upon him when he became the
advocate OF the protective system. They are to a
considerable extent therefore, professedly srpIana
items and in so far as they shrink from the ultra
views Of the protectionsts, they entitled to the
more attention because put forth apparently with
the purpose Of fully and finally defining Mr.. Web
ster's position upon the principle in question. We
may add that we make quotations from the first
volume of Mr. WebsterAs published speeches;
tn. higA tariff policy not iptrean policy, accord
ing TO Mr. Wsba1's Viss in 1924.
sand allow me, sir, in the first place to state my
regret, If indeed | ought not to express a warmer
sentiment at the names or designations which Mr..
Speaker Clay) has fit to adopt, for the purpose
Of describing the advocates and the oppossrs Of the
present bill IL is question, he says, between the
friends Of an American policy and those Of
foreign policy This, sir, is an assumption
which take the liberty most directly to deny"
Indeed sir, il is little astonishing
il il seemed convenient to Mr.. Speaker, for the pur
poses Of distinction, to make Of the terms
American policy and foreign policy that he
should not have applied them in manner precisely
the reverse Of that in which he has in fact used
them. II names thought necessary, IL would be
well enough, would think, that the name should
be, in some measure, descriptive Of the thing and
since Mr. Speaker denominates the policy which he
recommends "a new policy in this country since
he speaks Of the present measure era in
our legislation since he processes to invite to de-
part from our accustomed course to instruct our
selves by the wisdom of others, and TO adopt the
policy Of the distinguished foreign States, one
Is little curious to know with what propriety Of
speech this imitation of other nations is denom-
mated an American policy while on the contrary
preference for our established system, as IL now
actually exists, and always has existed, is called
foreign policyl' This favorite American policy is
what America has never tried; and this odious for
eign policy is what, as we are told, foreign States
have never pursued. Sir, that is the truest Amer-
can policy which shall most usefully employ Amer
lean capital and American labor, and best sustain
the whole population. With me it is a fundsmen-
tai axiom; II is interviewer with all my opinions,
that the great interests Of the country united and
inseparable; that agriculture, commerce, and manu-
features will prosper together, or anguish to-
gether; and that all legislation is dangerous which
proposes to benefit one Of these without looking to
consequences which may fall on the others"
Mr.. Wsbsisrs pie,c Of DOMESTIC INDUSTRY, OF REA-
sosAsLE PROTECTION, and Of the HOME MARKET
-<C~sd k~ s--.--,;-- 4-i.- - iess
Gentlemen tell us, that they are in favor of do
nestle industry; so am |. They would give it pro-
lection; would |. But, then, all domestic indus
try is not confined to manufactures. The employ
ments of agriculture, commerce, and navigation are
all branches Of the same domestic industry; they
all furnish employment for American capital, and
American labor. And when the question is, wheth-
er new duties shall be laid, for the purpose Of Civ
ing further encouragement to particular manufac-
lures, every reasonable man must ask himself,
both whether the proposed new encouragement be
necessary, and whether it be given tuhot inus-
tiee TO other branches of industry.
at is desirable TO know, also, somewhat more
distinctly how the proposed measure will produce
the intended effect. One great object proposed for
example, is the increase OF the home market for the
consumption of agricultural products. This certain.
y is much to be desired; but what provisions of the
bill are expected wholly, principally, to produce
this, is not stated would not suggest that some
increase of the home market may not follow from
the auoptlon OF nls OIL, out Az us provisions nave
not an equal tendency to produce this effect. Those
manufactures which employ most labor, create OF
most demand for articles of consumption and
these create least in the production of which capital
and skill enter as the chief ingredients of cost"
Mr.. Wtbstsrs risto Of the BRirIsH PROTECTIVE srs-
TENN the same year.
We have heard from Mr. Speaker a warm
commentator of the complex mechanism of the
British system The British empire, il, is said, is,
in the first place, TO be protected against the of
the world; then the British isles against the colo
MES; next the isles respectfully against each other
England herself, as the heart Of the empire, be-
ing protected most Of ALL and against all.
"And, sir, imagine, nothing would strike the
public Of England more singularly, than find
gentlemen Of real information and much weight, in
the counsels of this country expressing sentiments
like these in regard to the existing state of these
English laws. have never said, indeed that pro-
hibitory laws did not exist in England; we all
know they do; but the question is, does she owe
her prosperity and greatness TO those laws' Il ven
ure to say that such is not the opinion of the pub
lie men now in England; and the continuance Of the
laws, without any alteration, would not be evil
dence that their opinion is different from what
have represented it 81
"In fine sir, think it is clear, that, if we now
embrace the system of prohibitions and restrictions
shal show affection for what others have dis
carded, and be attempting to ornament ourselves
with cast-of apparel"
Mr.. Wtbser's sisr fhs PROTECTIVE effect If TAR
HF FOR REVENUE.
"But what them becomes ofthe interests of others
The power OF collecting revenue by duties on i'm
ports, and the habit of the government of collecting
almost its whole revenue IN that mode, will enable |
US, without exceeding the bounds of moderation to |
give great advantages those classes of manufac-
lures which we may think most useful to promote at
home.n
al can hardly express the surprise feel that Mr.
Speaker should fall into the common modes of ex-
preston used elsewhere and ask If will give our
no protection. Sir look to the his
tory of laws; look to the present state of our
laws. Consider that whole revenue with a |
trling exception, is collected at the custom-house
and always has been; and then say what propriety
there s IN calling the government for protection
as If no protection had heretofore been afforded /
The real question before US, in regard to all the i'm.
portan clauses Of the bill is not whether we will
isry duties, but whether we will augment duties"
"7hs gsnsrai ssn~ efths age" in 1924.
ain short, SIR, the general sense Of this age sets