Democratic banner., 1850-01-14
sIJB.

ceived the united opposition OF the wing party
land the repeal Of which in l84l, before its ad-
vantages could be felt by the country, constituted
a large share of their emulation in success, seems
now TO have bscome a permanent law and a sell
tiled act of policy on the part of our Government
A wing President, elected by a large MAORI
ty of the people, and sustained with great una
ninity by his party friends, devoles only SIX
lines in his message 10 this subject, and only re-
commends some "moiifcations" in the law, "il
icon,inued." He then leaves the question of its
continuation 10 the wisdom Of Congress. Con-
gress, no doubt, will give "dus weight and con-
sideration" to the opinions and recommendation
of the Executive on this subject.
81 recommend a revision Of the existing
tariff, and its adjustment, on a basis which
may augment the revenue. y ] look
Ito the wisdom and patriotism of Congress
for the adoption of a system which may
Iplace home labor at least on a sure and per-
manent footing; and by due encouragement
jof manufactures give a new and increased
Istimulous to agriculture, &c. Believing
that to the attainment of these ends, as well
as the necessary augmentation of the reve-
nue. and the prevention of frauds, a system
of specific duties are best adapted, I strong.
ly recommend to Congress the adoption Of
that Extract Grom 7iayhr's
Message.
1t is difficult 10 determine from the above, or
any part Of the message, whether the President
is in favor Of an increase in the rates Of duties or
not. True, he recommends a revision Of the tar
if, but in its revision the rates might be reduced
or increased. The chief object desired TO be at
tanned by the revision which is recommended,
seems to be an augmentation of the revenue. In
order to effect this end, it seems that specific
duties should be adopted. Whether this system
should be applied TO every article of import or
not, is not explained in the message; nor do we
find any recommendations as to the particulars Of
so great a change in the revenue-no argu-
ments to prove the inadrquacy Of the present
mode, and no reasons given TO convince us Of the
utility of the change. In fact, the main object
the augmentation ofthe revenue-would surely be
defeated by the adoption Of any other mode Of
collection than that Of the udralorem system. It
is true that fraud may at times be p~racticed upon
The officers of the custom houses, as well as upon
other individuals in the ordinary transactions Of
life but a large portion of their duty consists in
guarding against such fraud and deception, and
i'm watching the interests OF the Government in
the discharge of their duties. And no reason
has been offered why fraud would not exist I'M
der the operation Of minimum or specit e duties.
These systems have been tried and condemned
by the people, on account Of the injustice which
must attend their practical operation. And if
the records Of the country are to be relied upon,
and stubborn facts 70 be received as evidence to
the mind, all must admit that more revenue has
been collected from customs, by five or six mill
ions Of dollars per annum, under the adralOr.m
system than was ever collected under any other
mode adopted by our Government.
A change in the circumstance, and condition
Of the country. may justify a slight alteration in
some Of the existing duties, but there can be no
necessity to induce us 10 discard a measure,
which operates equally and fairly upon all class
es and every section of country, and adopt one
the Justice of which might be exemplifed in the
passage Of State law imposing a specific tar upon
every house, whether it be the costly mansion
or the humble cottage.
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