The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-03-19
the ..UNIoSv AND Mr.. MER EDIrH.

the Administration OF Zen, Taylor has en-
tered the legislative lists against the Tariff
/ Of 1916 and in favor of that of 1912. IL
pretends to consider, that the appearance Of
this letter in one OF the city administration
journals, is equivalent to an official avowal,
that the Secretary Of the Treasury designs
to follow in the footsteps Of his predecessor
and use the influence Of his position with
Congress, to bring about repeal OF the
Tariff Of 1916, whose passage was owing
chiefly TO the official exertions Of MIR.
\ Walker
! We cannot agree, that either the tnions
argument or its inference is necessary re-
suit Of the promises laid down. As well
might the Union argue, that the Admins
tratiou is committed 10 the support OF the
Tariff Of 1916, because the letter was first
published in the Union, the only opposition
journal in the city,--as well might its APP
pearance in the Union be regarded as an
official avowal, that the Secretary OF the
Treasury intended TO 90 into Congress TO
prevent the repeal of MIR. Walkers tariff.
The whole argument, the whole inference IS
non seqnifW.
This attempt to commit the Secretary oil
the Treasury and the Administration to IN
reference with given legislative policy,
with subject which belongs, as the lnau-
/ gural declares. to the wisdom and power Of
Congress, is very unfair, to say the least Of
\ it, because tile Union knows that the Adj
/ ministration has avowed its intention not to
interfere in the Legislation Of Congress, that
4 Gen Taylor came into power upon the doc
trine Of interference BY the Executive
with the Legislative.
! But the idea Of Congressional Legislation
without Executive interference, is so impos-
sible conception with the Union and its
party, that there is some excuse for its at
tempt to ascribe to the present Admlnstra-
ton the same policy which actuatcd the last
administration in this respect. An admins
tration OF the Office Of the Executive within
the metes and bounds of the Constitution
and the laws, is an impossibility in the eyes
Of the Union and its political brethren. II
regards the Executive as the government
of the United States and the Legislature and
the judiciary as mere departments Of the
Executive-and hence ministerial measures,
Executive policy, are the meat and drink Of
its thoughts.
But, while we do not yield our assent to
the argument and inference Of the Union,
because Mr. Meredith's letter happens to
be published in one OF the Washington Adj
ministralon papers, we do not hesitate to
endorse the sentiments Of that letter.
The tariff Of 1916 ,cas an insult TO Pennsyl-
vania, because twas framed by Mr. Walker,
forced through both Houses Of Congress By
the official and personal influence Of Mr..
Folks Administration, and signed by Mr..
Polk, in direct opposition to the doctrines
and promises Of the Kane letter. The up.
pearance Of the Kane epistle secured fol
i Mr.. Polk the vote Of Pennsylvania, which
made him President. The tariff act of 1916
was a violation Of the principles avowcd in
that epistle, and was and still is an insult to
Pennsylvania. And we think, with Mr..
Meredith, tina, the restoration Of the act Of
/ 1912, or an act based upon the principles
Of that act, is demanded by the wounded
honor Of the Keystone of the Union arch
but while we think so, We hold that this j.
a duty for Congress TO perform, not the Ey-
ecutive administration of the Government.
The Secretary Of the Treasury, and the
Head OF the administration may, with per-
feet consistency, recommend the repeal Of
the tariff act OF 1916, and the restoration O
the tariff act Of 1S42, or a similar act, but
il thew do, these iunctionaries will there
leave the subject They will commit it to
the hands Of Congress, which has supreme
power over the question. They will not g
upon the floor or into the Hobbies Of til,
House or Senate, and bring the power of tn,
Executive to bear against free deberation
free Judgment and free voting upon tn
tariff question any more than upon another
The Administration viii be true TO lis prom
ses on this point. It viii never attempt IL
usarp the legislative powers Of Congress a
the Uaioa's Administration did. The res
possibility Of retaining, modifying, changing
or repeating the present tariff will be lief
where the Constitution has placed it, in Con
gress, and If it should be repealed, the res
possibility Of enacting new tariff will als'
be with Congress. And the Administrator
viii not be persuaded or driven into the re
commentator Of any measure policy as
ministerial measure or policy. It will re-
commend, what il shall conceive to be for I'll,
+ good Of the country, but it will be for Con
gress 10 adopt or reject its recommendations
and Congress viii be lett free. perfectly free