The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-27
MR.. NILES.

We feel no disposition to wound the feelings or
to detract one otn from the wel-earned reputation
of the senator from Connecticut. He has won
aurels in the field Of politics, and we should be
happy for him to wear them We differ with him
on the great question now before Congress and the
country and il is with the most profound regret
that we have seen the course he has pursued. We
suspect, from what we hear and what we see, that
he has mistaken the sentiments of the democratic
party of his State. The democratic press certain
ly, as said Saturday, seems to array itself in
sackcloth and ashes in consequence Of the extreme
hazard TO which he is exposing the passage of the
present revenue bill. ... e.,
IL is due 10 Mr.. Niles himself state, that we have
received note from very respectable correspond
ent, who informs US that he has always in
cined to discriminating duties, but that he has
err leaned to the "ultra whig doctrine protection
the one hand, or freetrade notions on the other.'
The same correspondent assures us, that "Mr. sey-
mour was not member Of the 9th Congress from
the Hartford district and therefore could not have
voted against the bill of 1s42" that he represent,
alive of the Hartford district in that Congress was
Joseph Trumbull, who voted think, for the act of
Ie42. Your correspondent, Northern Demo-
crat, is under similar in supposing that any
of the Connecticut delegation in the House, in 1912
were democrats. They were all wings; and my inn
preston is, that all of them voted for the tariff act
which passed at that session."
From the Hartford Times, July "a
TAXES FOR THE SUPPORT OF GOVERNMENT.
A tariff for revenue or protection, is a tariff of
taxes The usual term ''tarif Of dutes,' means in
plain English "taritf of tares." The govern
ment has resorted to the mode of taxing foreign
mporaons, in order to raise the revenue necessary
to pay its ordinary expenses. From these taxes
the manufacturers of the United States have re-
ceived, and will hereafter find, an advantage which
will enable them to compete successfully with the
foreign manufacturer. They have grown strong,
and accumulated large fortunes within few years.
Our revenue laws have necessarily afforded such
protection to the manufacturers, given them such
an advantage has enabled them, in many instances,
to become rich, whilst the agriculturlss have sue
ceeded in getting little than good comfortable
living.
1t is not long since that Henry Clay said the man
ufacturers, when they first commenced their BUSH
ness, and were weak, needed more projections; but
now they have taken deep root, and do not need so
much.
The democratic party, under whose broad poiti-
cal principles the country has grown up and pros
peTeu, are inc OI all UuuStTldl
party itself is mainly composed Of laborers--the
workng classes" generally; and to the interests of
this class in securing the extension of suffrage and
equal privileges, has the democratic party been
faithful 1t has not as the wings have done, at
tempted to give capital undue advantages over labor;
but its efforts have been directed to the general in
terests of the masses. We trust it will never; as
party sverve from the great principles upon which
it has SO long maintained its usefulness and its in-
tegrity. ,.......
since the formation Of the constitution. In the early
part of General Jackson's administration il became
d matter of the deepest interest. Democracy then
took the ground of revenue tariff and no govern
ment credits, discardng the absurd doctrine Of pro'
lection for the sake Of protection" II was prn-
ciple of right and the people throughout the coun-
try have sustained it. Under it the manufacturing
interest will never suffer; but when an interest stands
upon an equality with other interests, or rather has
advantage in the taxes laid for revenue, 1t seems
that no more should be asked for it.
The principle of fixing restrictive laws upon gene
raj trade for the especial benefit of particular inter-
ests, is thoroughly exploded. Even England, a
country that has been quoted often by the advo-
Gates of "proection" has seen and felt the folly OF
it, and has taken step in advance OF free America
in this matter.
Our country has been made freer and happier by
its light taxes and it should be principle with us
always to avoid taxation much possible, levy
ing them only so far as necessity requires.
The tariff bill Of 1912 tax bill, not only for
revenue but unnecessarily for protection. Ii dis
carded, in its sweeping provisions, the wholesome
principles upon which the people Of this great ma
ton, with their diver slfed overwhelmingly the
producers and consumers--must prosper and be
happy. That it should be modified, there is no
doubt. Mr.. McKay's bill embraces more general
ly the revenue principle, and is sounder and better
bill. We do not look upon il as fautess. II taxes
sugar and salt both necessares Of life. II admits
tea and coffee, neither Of them necessares as free
articles. There are other objections in some Of it's
details; and il is questionable whether it will nett
the necessary revenue for the ordinary expenses Of
government On this point, however, there is d.
versity OF opinion. If il should not, Of course II
will be stronghold in that respect by supplementary
legislation. But, as a whole--as bill looking "a
just and sound principle we repeat it comes nearer
TO the standard Of democracy and Of right, than any