The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-23
COMMUNICATIONS.
-7--|
The Tsff6 and Warehouse BlII-Slr Robert Peers,
Mr.. Webster's, and Mr.. Walkers Policy.

For the Union
The Tsr,T r. and warehou.e Mlias'r Robert PEEPS,
Mr. Websters and Mr.. Walkers Policy.
In our very desuory remarks on the protective sys-
tenn SO very perseverngly urged by the manufacturers
we feel bound TO accord that respect to the opinions of
the senator from Massachusetts, which they unques
onabiy entitled to and, giving prominence TO the
ghiened doctrines which he ably expounded in 1920
and s9a (whe it may possibly crafty him to find that
Aey sun attract and re the attention OF people by their
great iorce and truthful chaacer,) prompted also
odo 50 by sincere desire to forfy those in the faith
hey nave been taught to CHERISH by the very individual
who now seeks destroy their Iong-setted convictions,
and to win them to his recently adopted opnonsto fas-
cifte them with his famed Chinese policy Great
the auense OF names may be with many there are some
wh tortcus in public life invites anything but
conildtncs IN then opinions, {obaded they bst too
ofteprresith the abr Of dosnaaizn tAeusy0 and who
BY their sophsms induce othee 10 forcgu teif
well bounded convctions 10 fs0Pltate an ineiiec-
tual autocra if he chooses to indulge his nbsyactors
at the expense OF truth well consistency lndvd-
uals, humble individuals, may indulge their harmless va
carries but statesmen cannot safely do without com
promising the interests of millions Theories on polltl
cal economy, with all the appearance OF sound practical
wisdom about them, WITH moreover, the sanction and
prestige OF great to recommend them, may some
times cost too much; for after ALL they not unfrequent-
y the vaccinations of political soothsayer, who may,
and probably does but too often calculate rather largely
the acquescence OF the people in his reasonings whilst
he is shrewdy playing the game OF "bind mans buff
with their understandings
Let us again refer to some OF Mr.. Websters strong
and irefragable arguments in opposition to the tariff poll
cy so warmly urged by him at the Boston meeting In
1920. Hear him.
'hc principle of the he understood to be, that
we should encourage the manufactures proposed most to
cotton cloths by prohbitoy duties That restrictions such
as have never before imposed shall be laid on com
his part he had supposed that restrictions trade
and commerce. in order 10 benefit particular classes Of
mischeyous and inconsistent with just notions OF political
economy"
Mr. Webster it seems well understood ssthe principle
of the measure so rashy urged at that time and he re-
manned firm in his convictions for years afterwards until
the manufacturers and their policy obtained the complete
mastery his and ahections-a spectacle as
strange it unexpected to those who had had
abiding confidence not only in the soundness OF his
sentiments on this question: but in his purity of purpose
and firmness of character Few dreamed, in 1920 and
le2l that the to which he had consecrated his
talents for long PERIOD so honoraby to himself,
destined TO be oyerhrown and mainly too by his
efforts at the instigation of the monopoiss. This
passsnt; after pointed denuncaton oil prohbitve
duties by the Massachu sets senator for the nonce, let
us see what the Secretary of the Treasury in his recent
report says further the subject Let all read
and reflect on these wholesome truths
at as unwise and unns as It Is repugnant to equal
any class of the community to bny from sell only
another High duties are equivalent to legislative resolve
and moi to any in any the other markets of the
world Such system necessarily brings into conflict the
class is depressed for the benefit Of tie other But by
opening all the markets home and abroad to all pco-
acures and navigation, instead of being antagonist in
eres, would all be united and harnonized in ad.
toQeihey the public welEtre Such tariff must
"a satisfy ali classes and all branches OF industry placing
ais great question ON permanent basis taking it. as wen
as iii ha pursuits of business out Of the of politics
and OF the struggle to advance depress rival political
parties aspiran So long sought advance
icuar branches of industry the expense of others, by
high duties, the tariff will be source of never-endng po-
business, deying all calculation the investment of
capital hnctuatng with every election and rising or falling
W. No r ever can be which forces the
American people, for the benefit of any class portion of
scrbed by law Such system, although might for time
obtain transient victory cannot ultimately and permn
| Mr. Walker takes common-sense view of the mat
ter sound and convincing as the distinguished senator
from Massachusetts did in 1920 and ls2i The brief ex-
tract from Mr. Webstes address in 1920 just given, with
this from the last treasury report completely at one
Nothing could dovetail well togeherno reasonings
could SO perfectly Iay Amy ea
well put in these extracts-they in fact, mtm IN
paruo-direct and perfect.
Hear Mr. Webster again, and if take extracts at
random from his mastery efforts of 1890 and 1924, with
out observing strictly that order in their arrangement
which might better subserve our purpose, we trust,
nevertheless, that readers will give that heed to
them which they richly merit and are entitled to on
the of their fidelity to truth and universal expe-
rence. The give is redolent OF the charms
of truth and senatorial WISDOM and far be it from
Mr. Webster the ungrateful task of destroying the off
spring of his brain--t is truly mournfu work !
Again, we quote from the memorable speech of 1920:
SIN truth, every in the community, not Immediate
ly benefited BY the duties, would suffer double loss.
In The first place. by shutting out the former commodity
the price the domestic manufacture would be raised
The consumer therefore, must pay more for it, And, in
much as government viii have lost the duty on the inn
eminent The real amount, then, of this bounty given
a5,ei | the "a the hue proposed duty at least so
appeared him, Nlr w and, # any calculation could
is proposed raise the duties salt and brown sugar
these articles of very general and the d
some degree the loss treasury arising exciud-
ing other articles. This is the tax, then, imposed,
able the treasury bear its other losses
In other words sugar and salt taxed because cotton