Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-11-20
CoMMUNICANoN
THE DUTY OF THE WINGS IN CONGRESS
RELATIVE TO THE TARIFF.

RELATIVE TO THE TARIFF.
Mvssps Ep,ToRs The People of the country
are no less attached now to the tariff of 1912 than
thew were on the day of lis repeal; and this is true
NOT only Of the Wings, but likewise Of considera-
HE nortion Of the Democrats Previously to the
last Presidential election the entire North admitted
the necessity of tariff, and the salutary working
of the then existing one. That arff-the tariff of
ls42-had revived the prostrated industry of the
country and restored the degraded credit of the,
Government. Under its influence commerce. man
ufactures, mechanical industry, and labor of all
kinds were stimulated into wholesome activity ;
and the people, perceiving this regarded il with
favor general as its influence had been beneficial
Its repeal struck them with apprehension and dis
may they looked for repetition of the scenes Of
1889, 40, and Al, when industry was nowhere
commensuratey rewarded, and when thousands
were without employment and without bread. A
state of things ensued in Europe which prevented
for time the realization OF their fears. A famine,
unprecedented in her history, compelled England TO
open her ports for the reception of our products ;
and thus, while the hand of want pressing with
crushing force upon kindred though distant people,
our own prosperity was temporarily enhanced. Of
the prices and temporary prosperity produced by the
unhappy state of things abroad the leaders OF the De-
mocratc party took advantage TO deceive the ignorant
and unrefectng, who made to believe that the
tariff Of 1916 the cause of the rise in the price
of grain and other products. But the minds of
many of them have been already disahnsad- They
see That they have been the subjects OF double de-
ception; first, by being induced 10 believe that
James h. Polk and the Democratic party were the
friends of the tariff of 1872 and, secondly, that
the tariff of 1916 the cause OF the monetary
prosperity arising from the famine and want which
pervaded several of the nations of Europe. Sens-
bic OF the imposition praciised upon them, they are
indignant at its authors, and ready to JOIN IN rebuk
ing them for their frauds and hypocrisy. They
have at length become aware that their leaders
the advocates opponents of measure, not as
such measure may be good or bad, but as it may
best serve to promote their own political and per-
sonal interests. They have become disguised by
the changeful and vacating policy which the self
shness OF their leaders has produced, and are look
ing anxiously for some principle on which to
Choir permanently their political faith and hopes.
The Wing party processes to be governed by prn-
ciples and, if its practice should be found to accord
with its professions, it will win the confidence and
respect of those who ready to abandon their
opponents on account of their disregard of princ-
pie, which they are continually manfesting
The protection OF our own industry against the
competition which it encounters from abroad, is a
cardinal principle OF Wing policy long protested,
and which should be acted upon at every opportu-
nifty. In Congress, in the House of Representa-
tlves, the Wings have the majority, and should use
1t to repeal the act of lS46 and reenact the law of
1912, with such trfing notifications as experience
may dictate. 1t is important that the people should
understand that protection is not exploded doc
trine, but one to which the Wing party adheres as
hrmy as ever. Ii is true that the Senate is Demo-
cratic and will not permit the act of $40 be re-
peaed. This, however, should have no weight
with the House IN preventing it from performing its
duty; for it is its duty to prove the Senate by
its action, what the will of the people is relative to
this great measure.
The day is coming when the demand for our
products abroad will have ceased and the legitimate
effects of the Of 1916 be fully felt and realized
When that day comes, bringing with it, ii will,
distress and suffering, we will find the Democratic
leaders laboring, usual, TO impicate the Wings,
and connect them with the measure producing the
evil. In order 10 give color to this they will ask
those who are to be made the victims of their de-
ceit whether, at such a session of Congress, the
Wings had not majority in the House Of Repre-
sentatives who acquesced in the policy of the mea-
sure! This will be foundation enough for the
charge of the willy demagogue that the Wings were
the authors at least the supporters of the mea-
sure working the mischief. But this NAV be pre-
vented by the Wings of the House of Representa-
lives passing a bill repeating the act of 1916 and
re-enacting that of 1912. 1t is the policy of the
Wings in Congress to do this for the two-fod rea-
son mat II VIII keep the attention Of the people
awake TO the subject and prevent demagogues from
referring to their non-acton the subject as evil
dence OF their friendship for the existing tariff.
Let II not be supposed that the tariff act Of 1912
has lost any OF its popularity with the people They
have not forgotten the vvifying influence which il
s2erted; that it lifted the country out Of the degra
dalton into which il had fallen by its failure 10 meet
It's pecunlary engagements, and restored prosperity
10 its perishing industry. They remember ali this
and they VII. not be likely to forget when the ia
riff of ls46 begins to produce its legitimate effects,
in the prostraton ofndustry, the reduction of wages.
and the ruin of commerce. Let the Wings, then.
do their duty, by making use Of every occasion to
prove their friendship for the act of 1912 and their
hostility to the act of 1916. CIyIs