The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1847-01-16


of the 7lh of January las, ! took occasion
10 express the views which then entertain.
ed regarding 1t, and to these views | con-
linue TO adhere. can entertain TO doubt
OF the constitutional power ol the federal
government, lO make sush determinations
in the rates OF dales on imports, as may al
ford reasonable encouragement to domestic
manufactures aud productions which may
may be injuriously affected by fJtelsn CON
petition. This is poweT incident to every
sovereign Stale, and as the separate States
Ct ibis Union are by the express terms ol
the constitution prohibited from rs exercise
II follows, that unless il resides In the fed
eIal government ,he United States are with
out this essential attribute Of National SOW
ereign!y.
The extent OF lhese dscrimln ations, bear
ing, ss they do, upon conflicting interests,
and in some degree arraying those OF one
portion Of The U, ION against another, can
onIy be adjusted under the influence of that
spiri, of concession, end compromise, which
prevailed in the adoption ofIhe Constitution
itself. The history Of our legislation on
this subject, demonstrates most conclusive
", shat tariff, to be permanent, which l'
SO essential to the manufacturing, as well
as all The other great inter .s's oi the Coun-
trv mus, be reasonable aud equitable, and
that sIl attempts 10 establish rate OF ultra
protective, 10 low horizontal duDies, have
only tended TO keep the question in state
Of corstan, agitation, than which nothing
can be more prejudicial to The interests o.
the business community. am, therefore
in favor of such just discriminating duties
as may be sufficient to sustain all our great
National interests against injurious compe-
ti,ion from abroad; such as will give TO the
home manufacturer. and producer, reasona-
ble profits on his cspial, en1ble him TO pay
his workmen fair wages, without unneces-
ssriy taxing the customer.
Pennsylvania possessing as she does'such
vast agricultural, manufacturing and miner
al resources, and commercial advantages,
has a peculiar interes, in The adjustment OF
this question, upon permanent basis
Should the changes made in the rate OF du'
ties by the tariff act Of 1916, affect injurl-
ously sny Of The great interests of TIE coun-
try, we must unite our efforts 10 induce
Congress, to whose care and discretion the
suhisc, is commilled by the Constitution,
and on whose wisdom and justice we may
safely rely, to make all just and reasonable
amendments.
From all ,he reflection have been able
10 give this yexed and complicated subject
I am thoroughly convinced, ,ha! reasonable
discriminating duties, such.as can be per-
rusnentIy maintained in connection win
Se operations of the Constitutional Tfeasu-
ry, and a sound currency, will do more to
promote The permanen! and general pros"
peri,y Of all the great interests of the Coun.
sry than any other system Of policy which
can be adopted High duties, with the en-
ployrenl Of banks as the repositories OF
abe public moneys, and consequent inha'
tion Of paper currency, 6y which the ad'an'
,ags of The duty 10 the home manufacturer
and producer is destroyed, are as rensin to
hasten and aggravate those commercial re-
yulsions, to which all nations sre exposed
as pros gacy and vice are 10 produce "ar'
and misery.
The repeal or modification Of the Grihst
Corn Lsws,by which our agricultural pro
duets are admitted into British ports, whil'
IL was measure dictated alike by soun'
Dolicy, and humanity, toward ,he suffering
population Of the United Kingdom, has hat
a most happy influence upon our iarmloI
interests. This measure has already aug
nen,ed the Lemsnd for our bread-sluHs q
enha1ood prices, and there is reason to he
lieye, il will continue 10 increase permanent
> nn- agricultural exports, which csnnc
tail to add to 'ne gv"e'e' ,rsalth and pros
perily Of lbe sIs,e-aud Nation.
10 NY last annual message ] exprrsse
my views ct length, in regard 10 the polio
Of The banking system TO which respec
fully refer TO The opinions therein cor
tanned ! continue to adhere 81 preser