The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-02-28
Come, Let Us Reason Together.

bitter IN their denunclatlOuS ol tne revenue
tariff of '46, we propose contrasting II with
the one of AZ, and nf showing that ii is
not deserving the -anaIhemas which are
lavishly heaped upon the members of that
party. More than this, we trust that we
shall succeed in establishing beyond the
lingering of a-doubt, that neither the miner
nor The manufacturer has any well groun-
ded cause of complaint, their evil surmi-
sings being in our judgment. mere fig
ments of their imaginations. The first.
and indeed the only objects of every wise
ly framed enactment should be, that It
proves equal in its operations.
This The law of AZ did not do. II was
based upon an erroneous principle. Most
of the duties it imposed were specific, or
make the matter still more plain, a certain
per centage was added to every square
yard, without the least regard to the quail
~ of the articles, SO that the coarsest fa-
brics were taxed al the same rates with
the finest. This was highly unjust and
were the commissioners of the several
counties of the commonwealth 10 levy the
different taxes upon the same principles,
we would in short time witness gener-l
al uprising of the people, from one end OF
the State to the other. Were they to rate
small houses as high as large ones, and
slate and mountain farms at the same price
per acre, as well improved limestone land,
we think our whig property owners, and
even out whig manufacturers themselves,
would be bitter in their condemnation of
of the mode, and yet it would be giving
them practical illustration Of their own
favorite doctrines. Indeed we can scarce
I'D
can be SO completely blinded by partisan
prejudice, as to insist upon the re-enact-
ment Of law which was manilestly so
unequal in its operations.
The law of 40 is much more perfect
one. 1t is based on a different, and as we
believe, true principle. Under 1t the
duties are levied according TO the value of
the article. Cloth worth five dollars per
yard, is assessed with higher duties than
that valued at three. This is as il should
be, and though at the time of its passage,
and for long afterwards, It's enemies pre-
dlcted the stoppage OF the wheels OF gov
ernment for the want of revenue, yet Ii has
borne us triumphantly through the Mexl-
can war, and the wheels of our republic
still continue to move. Better than this,
instead of diminishing, it has greatly in-
creased the revenue of the nation, thus
showing the wisdom Of the Executive
who suggested, and of the Congress that
enacted the law.
The repeatedly reiterated whig argu-
ment that high duties are necessary to the
prosperity of nation, is not only refuted
by the best writers on political economy
but it is also contradicted by actual obser
vation. TO fully substantiate the truth of
our position, ii is only necessary for us to
turn the attention of our readers 10 The
Government of England, and they will
there find that whilst the Favored few"
have for ages been protected by onerous
tariffs, the great masses have always dwelt,
and still continne TO dwell in the most ab-
lect poverty. All experience proves that
the less restriction there is on commerce
the greater will be the prosperity of any
nation. More than this, we believe that
the PRINCIPLES of an unfettered commerce
is yet to be a chosen instrument in the
hands of Provit ence for the evangelical
ton of the worlt.
But from what class of people does the
existing revenue law meet with its most
violent opposition! We answer from the
manufacturers, and from the dealers in
Goals. Now why should they complain!
They are protected by thirty per cent. du-
ties, aud if with these advantages, they
are unable successfully to compete with
foreign manufactures, we think they should
hold their peace. New furnaces and facto-
ries are being erected in different sections
of oar widely spread country, while most
of the old ones still continue in op Grafton
enriching the Golfers of their owners, and
if under the protection extended 10 them
by the present law, they cannot ProsPer
the fault must rest with the proprietors.
We believe that the true reason why so
many Of the manufacturers exper ence
such disastrous failures is, in majority
of instances. fairly attributable to profiga-
cy and extravaganza on their part. Ii our
weathiest farmers, and most industrious
mechanics were TO indulge In the same
habits of extravagance-do everything by
deputy-ride about in gaudily decorated
coaches-and visit with their families the
most celebrated watering places, we think
that but few Of them would be able 10 re-
tain their properties. Upon what princl-
plies Of Justice then do these manufacturers
and coal dealers insist on additional pro-
lection in their particular branches of bu-
siness!
Is it right that the consumer should be
oppressively taxed for the exclusive bene-
fit of the maker! and what else, disguise it
as Won mav is a tariff other than a direct