The daily union., 1846-08-28
From the New York Evening Post.
VIEWS OF MR.. WEBSTER.

1t was on the 18th day of May, lS43, when Mr. Web
ster, having been dined and toasted by some friends
in Baltimore, rose and made speech proposing a
repeal of the tariff of ls42. This had become law
less than year previous. Even then he foresaw
the fate which awaited it. His speech was in effect
apublic acknowledgment that stability could not Re
expected for the principles adopted with that
ure, and the permanent prosperity of the country
would not result from it.
His motive in this proposition was to make the
revenue system stable and permanent. "When ]
go among my neighbors," he says, "they ask, for
Gods sake, tell us what to expect Lay down your
law prescribe your rule; let see what will be the
of the government, and we will apply our
dusy and capital and our skill to the state OF
things be it what il will. Cool us, warm us, freeze
us, scorch us, do what you please-but let US know
what you intend to do and stick to it."
The permanency of the system, he afterwards
says, is ia much more important consideration than
the degree to which protection may be extended
Now one great objection urged by Mr.. Webster and
the whig party against the new tariff is the small
amount of protection it affords to many articles At
this moment they would destroy the permanency
of the system for the sake of increasing the protec
ton.
In what way did Mr.. Webster propose to secure
the permanency of the revenue SYSTEM BY such a
"policy shall combine the north and the SOUTH the
east and the west" Any system Of revenue which
should be equally favorable to the interests of the
different sections of the country, is the only one
that could, with justice, combine them in its fa-
vor. This is the first feature which it must pos.
sess, to the general support Of the people.
II the system is unjust, illiberal and unequal they
will surely reject it. Permanently never can attach
to it. . g..
Well aware Of these facts, Mr. Webster states
what changes should be made TO effect this combina-
ton Of the north and the south, the east and the
west. These changes are precisely what the course
Of circumstances operating upon human affairs has
accomplished since the speech was made. We have
at this moment exactly that state Of things which
Mr. Webster proposed in order to combine the diff
forent interests of the country and secure the per
maneDcy and stability Of our system. Yet such is
the blind infatuation Of humanity, that we now see
this man loudest in the condemnation of these
things and foremost in his efforts TO revive the old
system so far relates to this country This is the
lamentable spectacle presented ,
That state of things which il proposed IN this
speech to secure in order to combine the different
interests Of the country, was, on the hand, the
| admission into England for consumption at lower
rates Of duty, several Of our large agricultural pro-
ducts, among which Indian corn, tobacco, and -four
are particularly mentioned. On the other hand il
was proposed to induce this berality on the part OF
England bya modification Of the tariff Of 1912
Secure these concessions on the part of England
duce our duties, and you will make the tariff stable
and firm.
But by such a course the principle of protection
might be destroyed. What has the speech on this
poinn my experience has not given me clear
knowledge Of it; but this | do know that by making
the tariff stable and firm, shall render il healthful
and iudicious."
All those things have come to pass which were
necessary for apermanent revenue system. Now