The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-17
The Democratic Platform anti-TarifT.

The Democratic Platform snti-Tarin.
In the speech of Mr. WEBSTER, delivered in
teenth day of July last, view is presented Of
the effects of sectional agitation upon the indus
trial interests and pursuits of the country, to
which the attention of rejecting men cannot
be too often invited. We reprint the passage
to which we refer:
"Sir, am of opinion that every public considera-
ton connected with the interests of the State,
of whose representatives, and the most humble of
them ALL am, shows the absolute necessity Of
settling this question at once upon fair and
sonabe terms; the necessity ofjudging subjects &C
cording TO their real merit and Importance and
acting accordingly; and that should not be
carried away by fancies of gorgon5, hydras, and
chimcras dire, to the utter disregard of all that is
substantially valuable, important, and essential
in the administration of the Government Mas
sachusets, one OF the smallest of the States Of the
Union, circumscIbed within the limits of 5000
square miles, of barren, rocky, and sterile terri
tory, possesses within its limits at this moment
million of people. With the same ratio of popu-
lation, New York would contain nearly G,0OO,-
900 people, and Virginia more than 900 900
What are the occupations and pursuits of such
population on so small territory? A very small
portion of them live by the tillage of the land
They are engaged exactly in those pursuits which
fall under the control, protection and regulation
of the laws OF this Government These pursuits
are, commerce, navigation, the fisheries, and
manufactures; every one of which is under the
influence OF the operation of acts of Congress every
day. On none of these subjects does Congress
4 L., q
happiness, industry, and prosperity of Massachu.
sets; yes, and of Rhode Island too, Hooking at
the Rhode Island Senators Is it not, then, of
great importance to all these interests that the
Government should be carried on regularly? that
it should have the power of action, of motion, and
Legislation? Is it not the greatest calamity that
it should be all paralyzed, hung up, dependent
upon one idea, as if there was object in govern
ment, no use in government no desirable protec-
ton from government, and no desirable Legislation
by government, except what relates 10 the single
topic Of slavery?
al cannot conceive that these great interests
would be readily surrendered by the business men
of the country, the laboring community Of the
Northern States, to distractions TO naked posi-.
bilites, to idle fears that evils may ensue If par
tcular abstract measure be not passed. Men
must live; to live, they must work And how is
this to be done, if this way all business of So
ciety is stopped, and every thing is placed in
state Of stagnaton, and no man knows when to
expect the hour Of his redemption to draw nigh?
Depend upon it, the people Of the North wish to
end put to this state Of things; they desire
to measure of Cancellation pass, and harmony
restored; and to be again in the enjoyment Of a
good government, under the protection and action
of good laws, and that their interrupted labors
4 ~. ~. a.
ployment may return; that their daily means of
subsistence and education for themselves and their
families may be provided. There has not been,
in my acquaintance with the people Of this coun-
try, a moment in which much alarm has been
experienced, much sinking Of the heart felt, at
the state Of public affairs in time of peace, as
now. leave il to others TO Judge for themselves
who may better know public opinion; but, for my
part. beliaue IL is The eonvietion Of fire siEs of
The tohole North, that qestions such have occupied
here should not be diotoed any Longer 10 en6arrdss
The Government, and d9eat The just hopes Of those
,oho support the GoUHnment and erpect 10 hue under
its protection and care"
The agitating questions of the day having
been disposed Of, hopes were entertained that
time would be found during the remaining
weeks Of the session, to carry out some Of the
great measures Of improvement demanded by
the country, accomplish something for the rail
road interests Of the West and South. pass a
harbor and river bill, and correct some Of the
admitted errors and defects Of the tariff Of 1916.
Men of business and enterprise from all quar-
ters entertained an earnest desire that this prac-
teal and beneficial branch of legislation might
not be altogether neglected But no sooner
was the board cleared, and room and time offered
for these measures, than the Committee Of Ways
and Means introduced a resolution to the effect
that it was "inexpedient" at this time TO sat
temptany Legislation" on the subiectof the Tariff
The object Of this resolution, Of course, was to
break down all these measures Of improvement
10 arraysecton against section and interest against
interest, and to give complete triumph in this
behalf to that mischievous class of politicians
who believe that the powers Of the Govern
ment are pretty exclusively limited to the col
lection Of revenue and the payment Of Federal
ofice-holders. The Democratic party. with
very small number Of exceptions, have made
complete surrender to the Abstractionists; and
are ready to unite with them in the war they
have been so long waging against the industrial
interests Of the country. This conjunction
ought to be understood, in order that the ac-
count may be readily adjusted before the people.
1t is worth while TO study the combination
by which the manufactures Of every State--for
manufactures have long since ceased to be
local interest--by which the harbor and river
improvements of the northwest--the mining
operations Of the middle States--tbe railroad
enterprises Of the South and West---have been
embarrassed, IL not sacrificed TO the anti-indus-
Trial doctrines and dogmas Of the Virginia and
South Carolina school, Let us see how they
look in "solid column'---on their vote in favor
Of the anti-tsriH report--turning their backs
upon their constituents, and bowling before the
anii-improvement and anti-tarif policy Of the
Abstractonists.
Not Democrat from Ohio, not Democrat
from Indiana or Illinois, not Democrat from
Georgia, Iowa, Tennessee, Kentucky, Maryland,
OF Yirginia--al Of which States are largely in