The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-25
POLITICAL.
From HE Richmond Enquirer

Republicans of Virginia In obedience 10 a resolution
OF the republican State convention recently held In the city
OF Richmond the Central State Committee appointed by
that body beg leave to address you Fellow citizens We
call upon the committees OF vigilance appointed by thai
convention to be actveto make every exertOn 10 effect
thorough organization of the party, and thus insure the
triumph of principles have long and so ardently
cherished We will endeavor faithfully to present the
issues which agitate the country-we invoke calm
consideration OF the position occupy, and we rely
with confidence that you will sustain, you have done
in times past those who have been loyal TO the measures
YOU approve We are on the eve OF an election nyoly-
ing all these principles and measures the result OF which
may determine questions deeply affecting the character
honor and prosperity OF the nation
The republican party in this State boldly proclaimed
their principles everywhere before the last presidential
election, and relied upon the candidate OF the party to
carry out their will and we are happy to proclaim now
that every principle ayowed has been faithfully main
tanned, and every pledge given FULLY redeemed SO lar as
the constitutional power of the President enabled hm to
do So
The entire separation of the financial concerns of the
government from banking institutions, was the anxious
desire of the republicans Of that day The passage OF the
act for the establishment of Independent treasury hav-
ing for its object constitutional currency al least - lar
relates the fiscal affairs of the government has ac
complishment, to great extent that deslderaum and
though period most unproptous to the initiation OF such
has succeeded its adoptioni though war, and
all the embarrassments consequent upon It, have inter
venedyet its friends satisfied that will accomplish
all the objects contemplated by its passage, and will con-
fer enduring benefits the country That IT will have
the effect Of nfusng into the circulation larger portion
be prepared meet the increased demand for specie
stoned by the wants Of the government To do this, they
must keep their circulation within limits which will pre-
vent those expansions and conacons OF the currency
which experience has proved TO be highly detrimental
The federal government cannot entirely control the ma
onal currency while the State governments exercise the
power of chartering banks But it is their duty to
ply with the constitution at least in their own receipts
and disbursements To accomplish this, an entire sept
ration from banks is Indispensable and if those nstu
lions thereby rendered more crcumpect the general
currency must be materially improved The necessity for
national bank, perseverngy insisted on by our OPP
ponents is at length abandoned, and the views and poll
CIV of the democratic party on this great question have
been approved by the nation 1t is our duty then, to
tain those who would substitute constitutional treasury
for the agency of irresponsible moneyed corporation
who would limit the issues OF paper currency and m
the circulation of gold and silver as the only safe
representative of property and the only sure means OF
preserving sound circulating medium.
In accordance with the proclaimed will of the people
the odous tariff of 1912 has been repealed and tariff for
revenue adopted 1t is peculiarly important that this
great measure should be fairly tested Thus far, i has
fully answered the most sangune ancpaons OF its adj
vocaes and cordially congratulate the country upon
its success But the full benefit OF the measure can only
be secured by time and experience The protective sys-
grossly unequal 1t was most oppressive on those
who least able to bear the burdens imposed. The
duties on some articles were eXorbltant and on others
most unjustly assessed Specific duties without refer
to value imposed In many instances fictitious
minimum valuations of imports were assumed greatly ex
ceeding their actual cost and value This principle of
TAXATION so odious in ITSELF made to discriminate
against the poor and the aborng classes by the heavy
duties it imposed the fabrics, and articles
indispensable to their wants 1t operated them with
peculiar hardship and severity large portion of the
community unaware Of the amount of duty they pay
because it is included in the price OF the articles they con-
sumo. Hence specific duties and fictitious valuations
nsidous in their operation best designed for
and fraudulent exacons upon the people But the
ad valorem principle OF the new tariff bears fairly and
equally on all, and is perfectly plain and Ineligible 1t
is the principle which all our State governments have
adopted familiar to the people, and just in its opera
ton.
The effect of the tariff of 1912, in enriching the
astonishing than it unjust 1t amounted, indeed, to
system of legalized plumber The enormous duties il
on mPSea a o b constituted Gas 6q Ssn
HANGED in proportion to the duty on the import, the
amount OF tribute paid TO the home manufacturers de-
pended the amount of domestic articles of the like
quality Accordingly, ii has been stated by the Secreta
~ of the Treasury, report to Congress- that while
toenteren millions of dollars had been paid to the pro-
Giles. The southern States paid very large and undue
proportion of this tribute, which long proved severe
trial TO their patience, forbeaance and Loyalty to the
Union Its disastrous effect upon the whole south
visible in the general decline of their agriculture and
commerce. Reference to periods OF the high duty and
low duty systems will show that exports have inva
riably diminished or increased according the sys
TEN or the other has respectively prevailed Under the
compromise act, the southern States gradually
covering from the blight OF an oppressive tariff The
violation of that act by the tariff of 1912, succeeded
by a reaction against them. But we encouraged in
the belief that the revenue tariff in force, aided by
liberal system of free trade, will tend to their speedy
recuperaton
AS financial measure, it has fully realized the calcu
lations OF its friends. recent communication from the
Secretary of the Treasury exhibits considerable in
of under the tariff and corroborates
the experience OF the government which shows that, la
king population into consideration has al
ways been yielded by low duties than by the opposite
system.
These gratifying results have been attended by the
tlnued prosperity of the manufacturers. The federal
panc-cry of " rum" has proved false alarm, and is
rapidly subsidng Under prospect of fair and reasona
Bile profits, old manufactures not only kept in opera
ton, but have been enlarged and enterprises
progress The fact is established that the incidental pro-
lection of tariff Tor revenue affords sufficient encourage
ment 10 the manufacturers, without subtractng from the
agricultural and other classes the hard earnings of their
industry. new now dawns upon the country The
principles of free trade advancing After
struggle, they have obtained signal triumph the
spirit Of monopoly; and the working millions no
longer tributary TO privileged class who would control
the government and trainpe upon the people.
The satisfactory adjustment of the Oregon controversy
with Great Britain, another subject OF congatulaon
TO the friends of the administration and to the whole
country. Frequent attempts to settle by negotiation
the conflicting claims of the two governments had
proved unavaing, and difficulties seemed only to
increase with procastnaon 1t easy to perceive,
however that the increasing population OF Oregon, the
necessity for established government and other causes
would be attended with rreconoileabe difficulties and
two countries. The temporary expedient of joint
pancy for limited period, which would readily have
been renewed by the British government would have
relieved the present administration from embarrassment
and responsibility. But the duty would have devolve1
upon some succeeding administration OF bringing the sub
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