The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-05

spirit of chivalry, of which VIC have heard much ON
this floor, was not more llustriously developed in
the celebrated knight Of De La Mancha than is in
Jonathan this spirit Of reform. OF Improvement of
progress. And if this wide field be thrown open TO
him, think you, sir, he will not enter upon il with
alacrtys And what would be his first step in the
glorious career before him? Why cir, imagine,
he is said TO be fond of his kth and kim he would
in the first place express the hope" modestly of
course, TO Sir John, that he strike off the shackes
of dear ould Ireland, restore 10 her her independ
ence, and cease any longer to oppress and grind
her gallant people in the dust. imag he would
then take peep into Sir Johns East India posses
sions; and have no doubt his sagacity would
able him TO suggest divers reforms calculated 10
lcve and amelorate the condition Of that oppressed
country. hut, as Jonathan ia said to have an eye
single to his own interests generally in his great
reforms, presume he would invite Sir Johns at.
tenton to his possessions this side of the waters
and would express to him the hope" nodestly
of course, that hc would see the wisdom and pro-
priety OF surrendering up the Canadas and his
North American possessions, and of permitting
them TO become re annexed to the United States
intimating TO him, in the most delicate manner
in the world, that he considered himself abund-
antly able To take charge Of the whole North
American continent, and of the South American
also, If it should become necessary. As Jon.
athan is said to be affected with considerable
share of 'prying curiosity" imagine he would
not be content with these external reforms, but
would desire To examine little into the domestic
establishment of Sir John. And here, sir, he would
find glorious field for the display of his talents
imagine he would, in the first place, suggest in a
very delicate manner Of course to Sir JOHN, the
propriety of his abolishing his immense and op-
pressivc Church establishment, and Of enlarging
the basis OF representation in the House Of Com
mons granting, to every chte subject at least the
right OF suffrage in electing the members of the
lower House But, when he should come to the
House of Lords and to the Throne, what think you
would he do? Here, he would exclaim, are evils
beyond the reach Of reform What would he do.
He would cast, sir, his pruning knife from him
ta th.. ahnlt nf - .Lzl-
system, upon the utter annihiation of the whole
race OF kings, queens, princes, dukes, and lords
and the establishment of great English republic
And if Sir John should be startled: if he should
suggest that he had not in his kingdom statesmen
OF sufficient knowledge and experience 10 put such
new machinery in motion, have doubt Jona-
than would pledge himself to rig out the whole
establishment, with all the officers wanted, from
the presidency down to the cerSships, to the tide
walters. But this doctrine, presume, would lead
to broils, 10 broken heads and bloody noses,
take this occasion, sir, TO express my thanks,
and the thanks of my district, if not of the whole
State, to our patriotic and worthy Chief Magistrate
for his strong and decided recommendation of the
great industrial interests of the country to the ia
vorable consideration of Congress, in his very able
annual message.
desire, also, 10 express our thanks in like man.
ner to the distinguished Secretary of the Treasury.
for bis learned, luminous, and unanswerable argii-
ment IN favor OF the great principle OF Protection
contained in his report submitted us at the date
ef our organization-a report which, as a great
State paper will compare favorabiy with any that
has ever emanated from any Department of the
Government Nobly has he sustained the honor of
the old Key Stone State, and his own great reputa.
ton.
wish, sir, to see those parts of this message and
correspondence, relating 'to the duties imposed
by the present tariff of the United States referred
To a select committee, majority of which shall be
friendly to the protective policy and to a modifca-
tion of the tariff OF ls46, TO protect American
labor against the competition of foreign labor We
all know how the present standing committees of
TINS House have been organized and that to refer
tins message and correspondence and the thou
SAND penuons praying Tor modification Of the
present tariff, TO the Committee on Manufactures
or OF Ways and Means, would be to consign them
to the tomb OF all the Capulets. Let us have fair
select committee, comprising majority Of the
friends OF modification of the present tariff (and
shall offer resolution to this effect before sit
down, II IN order j let US have bill reported con-
tanning such notifications of the act OF 1876 as the
Administration and the friends of protection think
inc suffering interests of the country require let
us have hearing. This certainly ia not asking
too much.
We ask not for prohibitory or for high protective
uuues. lhe age OF prohibitions and stringent com
merclal restrictions has passed away, not soon !
presume TO return. But ask so long as Con-
gress shall continue 10 collect nearly all the reve-
nues OF the GovernrHent from duties and imposts
on imported goods, that in the adjustment of those
duties and imposts they shall discriminate in favor
oil American labor, and American manufactures and
products requiring protection. Upon such articles
as nave become necessaries and consumed by
all classes the poor well A. the rich and which
we cannot manufacture produce let there be no
duty; or, II some be necessary for the purpose of
raising the necessary amount of revenue, let the
duty be light But upon all articles of luxury, and
upon all such articles the country possesses fa
cilities for manufacturing and producing and with
the manufacture and production Of which foreign
labor Is brought into ruinous competition let the
duties be high; sufficiently high, least to enable
the American manufacturer and producer to com
pete with the foreign manufacturer and producer
Tor the American market. In word, let the bur
den OF the revenues rest upon such articles for
eign manufacture and produce are brought into
ruinous competition with the like articles of Amer
ican produce and manufacture
This is what understand by the principle of dis
elimination, principle too evidently true and
polite TO admit of argument. ID deies alike illus
tration and contradiction He who would assail H.
should assail the whole system Of duties and inn
posts should insist upon their total abolition and
the adoption OF The system of direct taxation
In the next place, let the principle of specific du-
lies be adopted. wherever that principle Is practica
bic; and where il Is not practicable let the home
valuation be substituted Tor the foreign valuation.
viii not at this time enlarge upon these tooics
But, sic, let this Congress take up this subject let
us apply these principles in udcious modification
OF the tariff OF 1876, TO afford sufficient protec-
ton 10 all the great industrial interests Of the
try let us abolish the warehousing system and
restore the old principle Of cash duties and SIR we
VIII cover the country with blessings. And, sir
although much time has been wasted in useless
on betwixt different sections of this glorious coun
try, we VIII be mcton our return home, by our con
sttuents, with the plaudit Of well done good and
faithful servants"
MIR. Speaker, now offer the following resolution
as an amendment, if in order:
Hesotred, That 80 much Of the President,s mes
sage, and OF the correspondence Of Sir Henry Ivt-
Ton bniwer, accompanying the same, as relates to
" duties imposed by the present tariff Of the United
states he referred TO a select COMMITTEES of nine
rhl 70 report 5y bill or otherwise.
Inc srEAKER The proposition of the gentle
man from pennsyivania Is not in order az this
time. IL will be in order after the motion to refer
To the standing committee shall be disposed Of
The Indians do not comprehend the simplest
rules OF addition and division. Tribes 10 whom
large sums are paid by Government have no
clear perception Of the amount they receive unless
the pieces Of coin spread before them; hence the
difficulty experienced so often with them in money
transactions with the Government. Bundles Of
small sticks tied up, the ordinary mode OF
counting. Their arlthmetical root Is decimal. Five
fingers ON each hand, held up, is decimal; five
on each foot, appealed to, converts this into a
vingtigesimal But the pieces Of money, or things