Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-05-31
s PIE EC II

OF PENNSYLVANIA,

OF Pennsylvania,
! On the reference ofthe Presidents Message
GndMe Correspondence Of Sir Henry Lyt-
ton ButlOer accompanying tie same,
on the subject Of the Tariff FQf l846,
DELIVERED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
OF THE UNITED STATES, May -, 1850.
Mr.. CALVIN rose and said regard, sir, the
British Government as aiming a blow in this
correspondence at the great industrial interests
OF this country generally, but more particularly
at the great iron and coal interests Of Pennsyl-
vanla. And, sir, as have the honor 10 repre-
sent on this floor what has been Justly called
the Iron District OF my native State, Will
ask the indulgence Of the House, whilst SUBJ
NIT few remarks upon these two subjects, in
connection with this extraordinary correspon-
dence.
It's well known, sir, TO you, and to this House,
that Pennsylvania Is rich IN mineral resources /;
that her mountains are full of iron and coal ;
that she has great water poTer; that large
portion OF her immense capital is invested in
the mining OF coal and in the manufacture Of
ron; and that still larger portion of her hardy,
industrious, and intelligent population depend
upon these two great interests for support, and
for the education and maintenance of their
families. Ii is also well known that, for the
purpose of carrying her coal and iron, and other
productions to market, she has nearly completed
the most stupendous system Of internal improve
mehts to be found on this continent. In the
construction of canals and railroads, size, and
tue Incorporated companies within her limits
have expended between one and two hundred
millions of dollars.
In view OF this state Of facts, presume it
will not be deemed extraordinary that this cor
respondence has attracted the attention. and ex-
cited the Indignation Of her people.
Under the influence of the protective policy
"a policy cosval with the earliest legislation
under the Constitution, but the foundations of
which were not fully laid till the passage Of
the act of lSl6-thesc two great interests
were, generally speaking, prosperous, until,
under the operation of the compromise tariff
If 1889, by which the duties were gradually let
down lower and lower till they reached hori-
zontal level OF twenty per cent. ad ralorem,
they were utterly prostrated and overwhelmed
by the tide of competition Of foreign labor
THIS great State, with her mighty resources
and energies was smltten as by paralysis-ay
PROSTATE like the huge giant, bound, manacled
Bankruptcy and ruin covered the whole State
as with pail. individuals, companies, coTpo-
ratIons, the State herself, all were bankrupt
To use the expressive language Of my venera.
BILE friend from Ohio (Mr, Corwin) we were
n5olvent generally" Such was the condition
of Pennsylvania at the date of the tariff act of
lS42. But, under the benign influence of that
law, these great interests awoke as from the
dead, and sprang forth with the freshness and
vigor of life. Manufactures, commerce, agri-
culture, revived; this great State was again
upon herfeet, and again entered upon her proud
career Of prosperity and power.
But this state Of things was destined to be of
short continuance. The Presidential campaign
Of l844 was approaching. The Baltimore Con
ventlon met, and Mr.. Van Buren,, for the only
honest act Of his political lite perhaps, was de-
caPltated, and James X. Polk, OF Tennessee,
was selected as the candidate of the Demo
cratic party. 1t Is not necessary that should
name his lllustrious competitor. 1t was well
known that Pennsylvania had always been at
tached, without distinction Of party, TO the pro-
tectlVe policy, and that she was especially
friendly TO the tariff OF 1912, which had lust
lifted her mp from general bankruptcy and ruin
to state of prosperity and happiness 1 hen,
as now, it was generally believed that no eau
didate could reach the Chief Magistracy of this
great country against whom Pennsylvania might
cast her electoral vote. IL was therefore
deemed important by the Democratic party, 10
secure that vote; and, sir, how was this &C.
Why, sir, we were assured by
all the leading journals and by all the small
Journals-by all the great politicians including
Mr.. Buchanan and Mr. Dallas, and by all the
little politicians Of the modern Democratic
party, from one end of The State 10 the other,
that Mr.. Polk was - better tariff man than
Mr.. Clay and that the Democratic Tariff
of 1912" woald be safer in the hands OF Mr.
Polk than IN those Of the great author of the
American system. We were also assured in q
certain Kane letter, that Mr.. Polk Was in favor
of protecting all the great industrial interests
OF The country, including commerce, aGrlcul-
ture, and manufactures. And we were still
further assured, as all will remember, by " Mr..
Polk's near neighbor, that he was the espe-
clal friend Of the great coal ana iron interests
OF Pennsylvania And, as II this were not
enough, " Polk Dallas Skunk, and the Demo,
cratic Tariff of l342," was spread out in large
letters upon the Democratic banners, and car
rled at the head Of the Democratic professions
Well, sir, Pennsylvania believed these repre-
sentations; she cast her vote for James Is. Polk
and George NJ. Dallas, and the iliustrious states
man OF the West was defeated.
Among the first acts of the newly elected
President was the selection Of James Buchanan,
Robert J. Walker, native of Pennsy lvania,
as his Secretary Of the Treasury. Did no, this
look like an earnest Of the redemption OF the
pledges which had been given to Us
Well, cir, Mr.. Walker entered upon the du
ties OF his othce-upon his great task OF reform
Upon his great labor Of love; and we were
assured, you will remember, that he labored
hard that SO violent was the action Of his
powerful intellect upon weak frame, that he
wac frequently known 10 faint i'll the midst of
his tolls. We are told, sir that all things
earthly must have an end, and these labors
were at last brought 10 a conclusion. And
what was their result Although not single
petition, believe, had been sent up from any
part OF thus great country, asking for any
change N the revenue policy OF the Govern
nent. and least Of all such change as he gave
Us" this great hnancier resolved 10 change that