Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-05-03
For the Reporter.

For the Reporter.
Tax on Zen and CofTee--Whig In
@CDnsisfeMcy...1 OryiSm 10 tile
Backbone. 8 81.
MEssRs. ED1ToRs A few federalists
in our section are attempting to make po-
litical capital from the recommendation of
the Secretary Of the Treasury for tariff
on Tea and Coffee, to continue during the
war with Mexico, as means, in part, for
defraying its expenses. In view Of this,
it may not be amiss to take retrospective
glance of the efforts of the Federalists
themselves to perfect measure which
they now condemn. 1t is trite saying
that ''liars should have good memories
applicable indeed in reference to the Feds.
on this subject as well as host Of others.
| 1t will be remembered that the famous
Wing Tariff Bill of l841 contained pro-
vision taxing tea and coffee II this clause,
however, was stricken out through the
untiring efforts of the Democracy. The
country, at that time, was in state Of
profound peace; no necessity existed for
its imposition. Then no crocodile tears
were shed by the Feds. for the poor; no
sympathetic sentence uttered in their be-
half; it was all right then to Danish these
luxuries from their tables, or compel
them to pay as much as the rich. But
now how changed! The country is en-
gagged in a war for the redress of grievan-
ces, the protection Of the lives and prop
erty of our citizens and the honor OF the
nation. Who is unwilling to bear part
of the burthens incident to this war p
No one who has the least patriotism
Why has the Federal party so soon
changed its position? Why these floods
of tears and agonizing throes Of compass
sion heaving in their philanthropic bo-
SONS? Oh contemplate hypocricy! -
Give them the power and all these bland
fishing smiles, and honeyed words would
merge into letters and chains attached t.
all their tavorite schemes, tending to
g take care Of the rich, and the rich will
take care of the poor" The true reason,
after all, for this ebulition of Federal sym
patty is this--a tariff on tea and coffee
would raise few more dimes towards
paying the expenses of licking their Wing
brethren in Mexico. Every cent they
can divert from this purpose is so much
additional "aid and comfort" to their Span
ish comrades.
Now Democrats, when Feds. come to
you with the long, sanctimonious face Of
coincidence and commisseration for the
sufferers by such law, just thrust under
their noses and cram down their traitor
Gus threats, their practice in time of peace
and profession during war. Oh Feds,
you are stuped and peculiar people-for
taxing tea and coffee during peace and
against it in war--tariff men in peace, an
| ti-tariff in war-at times full Of sancity
and profession and next stealing the live
ny of Heaven to serve the Devil i'm enid
clashing swords and cleaning steel.'
| In conclusion, if tax of this kind is
deemed necessary and is laid, the Feds.
have the consolation that no compulsory
power can be used to compel them to buy
tea and coffee. II being obviously rerlg-
nant to human nature that man should
pay for the COW hiding of his best friend,
the Feds, Of course, will feel much re-
lieved by an extrication from such d.
lemma-therefore it is suggested that so
far as they are concerned they can make
the law wholly imperative and unavailine,
by abstaining from the purchase Of those
articles, interdicting them entirely from
their tables. Avery snug sum would still
be raised from the Democrats-their num-
Der is legion. Any one now able to buy
] his tea and coffee would not for the petty
consideration Of few cents, have to de-
sist thereirom. The appropriation of the
tax, Git being to each buyer a mere triile,
but collectively a handsome round sum,
to a righteous cause, would add induce
ments for the procuration Of means, even
If day or two more work was required
for that purpose.
For my own part, during the last three
years ,rteot coffee and other Zone made sub
stitutes have beenthe principal drink On my
table; paucity of means sometimes being a
motiveto economy, and besides, being sin
gle handed and not having the sinew to
''brcast all the rugged 'front.' of opening a
farm, considerable retrenchment of luxu-
ries was necessary; but slap the tax on
tea and coffee and my labor and ingenuity
shall be exerted to the utmost, in having
these beverages constantly on the table
"during the war"
From these remarks it is hoped the Feds.
can pick up few crumbs of comfort and
'swlpe their weeping eyes, 1t behoovcs
them to be sparing of every tear,to reserve
all for that doom pronounced against the
tories of the Revolution and Feds. of the
last ar.and which the present Feds. must
also endure-hence much 'wailing and
masking of teeth is to be expected.
ALWAYS READY AND SOMETIMES RouGH.
Otter Creek, Linn Co., April "a, 1913.
AFFAIRS IN RoME.--His Holiness
honored the consul of the United States
with a private audience on Saturday. 18th
instant TO receive the a11rocs ora loroo