The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-09-30

Speech OF Mr.. McI.a"c. =,
address of Robert d. McLane, esq, dsiiufrea a. me
Democratic State Fespa on the 18Th ns as ""y ~
ported as occasion and opportunity "o"sa P'
az .aDorass,nnai district of Maryland deem It only
my duty to state briefly to the eiecio ~ NO - ,he
opinion upon questions OF feleiai s saa h vii de-
support OF an intelligent constituency whose WIN uv
re IN renresent and whose confidence ana support co
only eynect after an explicit expression OF my 0Pmons
n"1, of immediate to the welfare o.
me country / am the anxious to do this frankly y
and promptly rs am conscious that wide aeie".u ~ ~
opinion exists between myself and the gentleman VIZ
contests with the honor OF representing iiis asuf
in Congress In the conviction entertain tn 'di az NE
ference of opinion is radical, and ha inc PeoP9 VI .h
district competent to judge between US, , n;u ~;
hope that may be allowed the privilege ana disncuon
of representing them in the Congress OF the United STATES
brief reference to the powers OF Congress- and the
measures proper carry them into effect will suhcient
~ marx tbe principles BY which should be governed in
matters OF legislation and the difference Oh opinion exist
ing between my opponent and myself.
aConpress shall have power lay and collect taxes
duties, inposs and excuses pay the debts and provide
the common defence and general welfare oil the oheo
ITO borrow money the credit Of the United States"
Io regulate commerce with foreign na'ons' ana '''oNs
the States and with the Indian tribes. :.
These powers cover generally the whole ciyl Poncy
Of the country, and when exercised IN good a!i resu
ing the federal government as sovereign withih nese
limits and the several States retaining all sovereignty
not delegated therein the defence and general
,velsare easily secured In view Of the first would
remark, that understand Its object to be SIMPLY ano
solely to raise repenue for the express purpose OF pay
ing the debts and providing for the common defence ana
general welfare Of the United States In raising inns
Tevenus OF all the modes granted prefer 10 lay dG.es
upon imports because such duties constitute an ndIec
tax more easy to collect than any other embraced wh
the taxing power of Congress, while our experience mas
fully shown that it affords abundant means Tor the sup
mort NJ The federal government and the defence
and general welfare OF the United States, SO lar as t
common defence and general welfare can be secured by
or Nv measures of legislation necessary to execute those
powers The power to lay duties as here granted cannot
authorize the imposition OF any duty higher man he
with any other idea of protection than that which is IN
cdental to the revenue duty.
Protection, which Is incidental TO revenue duly, is
the only protection within the power OF Congress to con-
fer and which is the only protection advantageous TO an
branches OF American industry, acting an Incidental
bounty branch OF INDUSTRY ss m Mb Oy rejoice n
the prosperity OF American arts and manuIact"res, lot
all have derived the common benefit OF the common
revenue. Such duties, when adjusted with due regard
to the relative wants and necessities of the rich and poor
and reaching the several branches OF industry within the
revenue rate, will receive the support OF the most zeal
Gus advocates OF free trade and constitute the permanent
policy of the country; and in this permanency recon-
mendng itself to every intelligent manufacturer as far
desirable than the most exravagant system OF pro-
lection for proteeos sake Connecting with this
policy the power regulate commerce. under winch ell
forts have continually been made to impose burdens upon
the large os dn ns sbO snq svse Of ea
aton which protected and created capital as means OF
difusing prosperity. would rather advocate system
involved in their freedom from all restraint in the exer-
else of their labor and industry. believing that happiness
be involved in their own individual industry freely d.
reced to the development OF great resources as ma
manufacturing, commercial and agricultural
barassed by artificial and partial restraints and protection
Thus impressed would advocate the most liberal sys-
son of those duties levied for strictly and such
regulations intercourse with or dependence upon
foreign nations might render Indispensable. l would
thus embrace those great principles WHICH entirely
Protection for predictions saEe as displayed in the
treme and ultra basis of class legislation repete with in
capabilities and every arfce by which indirect taxes and
burdens could be imposed upon the great mass OF the
community for the special benefit OF some special class
without regard to the value OF the article
taxed, and to the great derment OF general trade and
commerce. bill embracing all the worst features OF ina
system of monopoly and protection which so nearly
overwhelmed the British empire erecting within its SO
cal organization the most frightful conrasts-spendit
wealth and exclusive classes with great of
oppressed, wretched, and starving people system SC
deploabe in its influence upon the happiness and peace
of the people of that empire, that has otteed to its fall
in time OF profound peace and plenty eXecrated by
starving people, and condemned TO disgrace by the most
accomplished statesman, who acquired power and fame
Sir Robert Peel contesting with Richard Golden the
glory of restoring to the English people freedom OF trade
plenty, and happiness. 49,
Without pressing to an illustration the details OF this
question in England or America, ! content to re-
nounce the restrictive SYSTEM zeaousy advocated by
my opponent while embrace in opposition to it sys-
lem which shall open to the trade and OF the
country the reest and most unrestricted exchange of
modities The planters of the great valley OF the Mis-
sissppi should seek the best market the world affords
and the American manufacturer should find the products
of the Indies West and East seeking exchange with
him for the fruits OF his ingenuity and art Thus open
ing wide the gates of trade and commerce, | believe
american industry would find its and best proec
ton, commanding abundant employment and wages with
the happy privilege of buying in the cheapest and selling
in the dearest markets OF the world, whittier the Amer
can flag would appear the type of and glorious
civilization
The application of these liberal principles has been al
bill adjusted upon revenue principles, and emneny
cessful in its operation upon the trade and
the country, which, notwithstanding the existence of
foreign prosperous and fruitful, ali
fodng employment to every branch OF industry, with in
creasng rates OF wages and abundant revenue to the
government ample for its economical administration
and for the protection and security of our foreign anC
domestic commerce. by such legislation its safety ant
best interests may demand-a legislation confined te
those objects of general and national concern which car
be embraced within the jurisdiction of the general gov
eminent and not wantonly extended 10 objects of a Ioca
characters or directed, when applied to more
general interests, conflict with the jurisdiction
the several States and destroy it's own aim, by unous
and senseless rivalry and exciting jealousy and hos
ty to the entire system of internal Improvement by the
federal government system which, when associated
the source of corrupt and infamous bargain in the lfgis
atve halls OF Congess-substuting for rational and
Just exercise of the power of Congress to appropriate
public money provide for the safety and security of our
foreign and domestic commerce. dishonest and reckless
scheme OF rolling legislation which has rendered the