The Woodville Republican. [volume] (Woodville, Miss.) 1847-1853, 1850-10-01
Mr.. RHETT AND THE WING.

Il requires but few words to dispose of the
assertions contained in the last Wilkinson
Wing, headed "Rhett and his Tariff"
The facts are these: Mr.. Rheit and the
whnle South Carolina delegation in Congress
voted against the tariff Of isl2, because they
thought the great feature of that tariiI--protec-
tion TO tho Northern manufacturers-,o be I'm.
constitutional. Mr.. Rhc,t did not hold that ev.
cry tariff was unconstitutional, but that the
principle Of protection, since its tendency was
to benefit one section Of tho Union and ono
class of people to the natural injury of another
section and class, was contrary to the spirit of
the constitution. In spite however Of their
vote, the act with its objectionable feature was
passed. In 1916, finding it was impossible to
take array entirely the feature of protection
from this tariff it was proposed to modify il,
and for this, Mr. Rhott voted, as he would thore-
by essen in some degree the unconstitutional
burden upon the suffering section and class,
Now Mr.. Rhett still held that the principle Of
protection which he considers was retained in
part, in the tariff Of 1916 was unconstitutional,
yet il cannot be pretended that he violated his
oath in voting for that tariff, for he did not vote
to create an evil, but to modify as far as lay in
his power one which already existed, a course
which he was bound to take as a man of sense,
rs a faithful representative. II cannot be pre-.
tended that he was not to vote at all. lie
would be accounted a poor physician who
would lot a disease continue in all its virulence
because he could not cure it at once altogether.
Was he to vote against the proposition to mod
ifyl the doctor would be n criminal who
would kill his patient because he could not
cure him Immediately But Mr.. Rhett had
but one other course to take, not to vote for it;
and this he did.
We beg of the Wing that 1t will do itself
the justice (for il has not injured Mr., Rhett or
the Republican, to show that it sees how this
act of Mr.. Rhett strictly competed with chs
oath aud the constitution when he voted for the
tariff of '46,p and how he would not be a trait
or to those obligations when years after he calls
upon the South for reason Of that law to dis.
solve the Union, even if it were the case that
he thus "oalls upon the South for reason of that
law.0
Now, we would humbly beg leave to.sng.
gest to the Wilkinson Wing that Mr.. Rhet,
neither affirmed the tariff Of 1876 to be 0in il.
self sufficient cause" for the South to dissolve
the Union, nor does he wish to dissolve the
Union for reason OF one of his own laws.n
What does he say
MY friends, All changes in govern.
ments are serious things, Nothing will Jus.
tify a free people III changing their govern.
ment, hut a conviction that 1t does not fulfil
the purpose for which ii was created
The great object Of free government, is
liberty. The great test Of liberty in modern
times, is to be free in the imposition of taxes,
and the expenditure of taxes"
He then, to illustrate the fact that the South
is not free in the imposition Of the taxes upon
her. but has suffered by the unconstitutional
Legislation Of majority, which was actuated
by their own intent to do them injustice, cites
the tariff law Of 1912, and the tariff Of 1916
which he contends is to benefit the Northern
people Vho majority which passed the law) in
their pursuits OF industry atihe expense Of the
Southern people-the minority, and ne says;
$50 far as the law aecomplishes its object,
and the consumption of northern produe
tons is forced on the southern consumer, by
excluding the foreign commodity, il is lust
so much money taken from him and given
10 the northern producer. II is naked rob.
berry, II is republicanism on n far more
flagitious scale, tina is demanded in France.
There, all that is required OF Government,
is bread, or employment to labor, which will
give bread. Poverty and starvation afford
some semblance OF right, for exhorting a
support, through Government, from The
property OF others. Bot Aete, il is not bread
the people OF the north require, to be wrung
out Of us by the taxes of the government
they impose, but wealth and power and do
minion."
Mr.. Rhett then speaks ofthe expenditure Of
the taxes, and illustrates the unconstitutional
and unjust action Of a Northern majority in ap.
preparations for internal Improvements and
their ul.eriOr objects in making those appro.
pzations. He finally brings forward the dan.
gers threatening the slave holding States by