The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-02-18


people Of the new States unequally as con-
spmers, TO buy more and more lands, 10 be
sold chiefly to themselves nj an advanced
price, in order that the proceeds thereof may
be distributed among all the States. And .
for these, and other reasons unnecessary |
here to be mentioned, the distribution act
was repealed.
Yes, sir, distribution was not only repeal
ed, but Mr.. Polk aud the Secretary OF the |
Treasury, Mr.. Walker, cogently recommen- |
ded the antagonistical democratic measure
Of the graduation and reduction Of the price
of the public lands to settlers and cutivaors. !
They recommended this measure; and I, as
a member Of the Committee on Public |
Lands, had the honor of bringing il in leg
islative form before this House. And what
was the result? 1t was strenuously oppos-
ed by the whole Federal phalanx; particu-
larry by the gentleman from Vermont, Mr..
Collamer,l whose abilities now grace the
head of the Land Committee; by the dis
tinguished gentleman from Ohio, Mr.. Vim
ton, who has been promoted TO be chairman
OF the Committee of Ways and Means; and
by the eloquent gentleman from Georgia,
Mr.. Stephens. with whom have the hon
or to be associated on the Land Committee,
and hope not without the prospect of NOV.
ing his bowels to compassion for the merito-
rious but much abused class of pioneers and
settlers. 1t was thus opposed; yet, sir, az.
! ter one Of the most tremendous struggles
which ever occurred in Congress, it was
/ passed by this House, and afterwards by the
Senate, with some modification, which caus-
ed it tn be lost for the want of time for its
further consideration.
' II is TN hp rpUrettet cir that IN itpporio,, NJ
a measure should have been lost. Its en-
'actment into the force of law whould have
been attended with the most beneficial con-
sequences, 1t would have reduced and
graduated the prices Of the public lands ac-
cordng 10 their actual value, and thus
strengthened the liberties Of the country by
increasing the number o! independent free
holders. 1t would have increased our agri-
cultural surplus, and thereby orr rational
wealth, by extending the area Of acricultu'
raj labor. 1t would have FASTENED the peri.
, cd for looping off cumbrous and expensive
branch OF Federal patronage. ltwould have
secured TO the Government u fair equivalen
, for the public lands. In fine, it would have
crowned the labors Of a Democratic Admin
, istration with complete success. Lest, how
, ever, as the measure was. il is still the mer
r it of Democratic President and Congress
that its principle was, for the first time, con
? currently approved, undertheir auspices, b,
{ two departments OF the Government.
' But, sir, as glorious as are th,se results
another equally, if not more glorious, re
mains TO be added. refer to the liberation
p of the country, and its labor and interests
g from the shackles Of restrictive and oprcs
,ivc tariff. As Jefferson had contribute,
= 10 redeem the country from the dcspotisn
Of the alien and sedition laws-as Jackson
with bold hand, had struck down tia
harlot of iniquity. the United States Bank
as Van Buren, had released the government
from a corrupiing connection with Stat
Banks, and poised it upon its own self-act
ing and self-persevering power, under tn
: constitutions; so President Polk, emna,in.
these great examples, has contributed pow
eriully. by his well directed and pcrsevtr
, ing efforts, 10 relieve the country from III
blighting system Of commercial rcstric
r tons.
The oppressive and unjust tariff &c ISL:
o enacted by the federal congress, was in iml
operation when Mr.. Polk came 10 the pre-
Sidency; like all other enactmeuts founde,
in the interests of favored classes. wa
strong in its very principles Of exclusion
h Five hundred thousand manufacturers wit
o all their influence of capital, business am
association, sustained it with the usi
:, ~ of common interest and the activit
:, Zone will. Clad in purple aud tinSele
: with gold, they con,ended for a retention
-, ola profit of %, 100, and $50 per cent. pc
: annum upon capital, against more than iou
:. millions Of agriculiurSts. artisans. and la
vigators, whose only object was to get iai
reward for labor. The contest was for
long time doubtful. Once tawdry wcaltl
a., overcame honest toll; but Justice aud III,
y democracy Of numbers finally triumphcd
and the "black tariff" of 1912 was rcpla
ced by the revenue tariff of 1916. Happy
glorious results the emancipation Of labor
from the bonds of captal!-a second de.
claration of independence The grand and
instructive event should ever stand as q
light and guide for the future!
Whatever, sir, may he the policy Of other
nations. that of the Uuited States consists
pre-. cninently in free trade. Experience
, not only bears testimony to this great truth,
but God himself has stamped it with an ON
nipotent hand in the everlasting features Of
, the country-in its vast extent. its diverSi-
ties of soil and climate. its superior adapta-
lul W INC prOUhClloU OF OTcuustUIiS anu cot
ton, the great staples iorleeding and clothing
mankind-which, in our hands, must even
tually secure ms the control of the commerce
and exchanges Of the world. Hear, sir,
the great man who will leave reverse
impress equal TO that left by Alexander
Hamilton upon our civil institutions and who
now presidcs over the Treasury Depart
meut, says of lis benefccnt operation and
promise in his late report:
The net revenue from duties during the
twelve months ending LIST December, 1877,
under the new tariff, is S3l ,5OO,OOO; being
SS,b2S ,596 more than was received during
the twelve month preceding, under the tar.
i'll OF 1872. The net revenue of the first
quarter Of the first fiscal year, under the
new tariff, was $l!,l05, 257 Il; whilst in
the same quarter of the preceding year. I'M
der the tariff of 1872, the net revenue WAS
only So, l53.S26 -. II the revenue for the
three remaining quarters should equal in the
average the first, then the net revenue from
duties. during the first fiscal of the new tar
III, would be Sii.42J, 02O ca. II, hnwcvcr,
the comparison is founded on all the quarter.
~ returns for fory.cight hours, Gas far back
as given quarterly in the treasury records, J
and the same proportion paid Tor the sever.
nj ,,n ,,.l 4. A. , Al.