The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-15

the old confederation, our great nsa Gteal bain had
enjoyed almost a monopoly OF out iofelgn Trade Atthis
period the OF The United States, composed OF
the sages Of the revolution, devoted the serious alien.
ton foster foreign commerce Congress projected
il from foreign competition by heavy discriminating du
lies, both ON tonnage and imports These soon produced
the bappsst BY The year lol0 me infant
Hercules had baIs, his bonds and ~. ~. sns
contend equal terms against the navigation o. the
world All we then asked fair held and no favor
We longer needed discriminating duties Tor our PTosoc
ton. Since that une government has devoted sef
with much energy and zeal 10 place our foreign navi,
gallon upon perfect equality, in regard TO tonnage ana
imports, with the navigation OF all other naons as ~ had
done to protect its infancy against foreign competition
It's true interest equally dictated both systems.
By the act of 81 March, 1919, we declared that we
would admit into ports the vessels OF every nation,
carrying articles the produce or manufacture OF such ma
tion without laying any other tonnage or import duty
than we levied on American vessels: provided such
ton would admit into their ports American vessels laden
with American produce CT manufactures without imPos-
ing any import or tonnage duty beyond that winch was
This offer of perfect equality al the first confined
to the direct trade between the United States and foreign
countries in the vessels and productions OF each country
By of Congress Of gath May, 1928, we cast aside
every sacke and offered to all nations to open our ports
for the admission Of their vessels in the indirect or tn
angu trade bearing the productions OF all countries 70
our shores, upon the same terms with own vessels,
provided similar concession should be granted in return
to American vessels in such foreign ports. That is we
offered every nation earth 10 make our ports as Tree
to their vessels and cagoes coming from any part Of the
world and laden with the production OF any portion Of
earth, they were to own vessels provided they
would extend the same privileges to our navigation This
act preceded the repeal of The British navigation laws
more than tweny-one years.
Several OF the nations had accepted offer long before
Great Britain AT length she acceded to our TERMS and
repealed her navigation laws but to US belongs the glory
OF commencing this grand career OF unshacked com
CATION laws Congress required to any new
give them effect. This repeal was mere accept.
OF the terms which we had offered 70 all nations by
the act of 1928; and my friend Mr. Meredith, the then
Secretary Of the Treasury had nothing more 70 do than
announce the fact through proclamation OF the Presi-
dent, that Great Britain had accepted our terms
carry the productions of all foreign nations from the
ports Of the one to those Of the other It has been said
tina, the sun never sets upon The empire Of Great Britain
upon The same terms with her own vessels. 81
COME ss my friends, that OF the acts OF my now
long political fife on which can reflect with the
heartfelt pleasure is my instructions to MT Bancroft,
under the direction Of the late President Polk to open
Of placing the foreign trade between the two countries
upon terms of perfect reciprocity fully convinced that
American energy and enterprise would triumph IN The
our distinguished diplomatist The proposition was at
once embraced by the enlightened British CABINET and
repeal OF their whole system OF navigation laws followed
And what noble and anmating pursuit is that OF
foreign II brings remote regions near, rem.
ders the different of mankind dependant on each
other annihaes pudces and hostile feelings, and con-
sues the surest bond OF peace among the nations. 1t
spreads Christianity and civilization throughout every
cline BY its agency must be accomplished that unver.
sal brotherhood OF nations foreod IN ancient prophecy
when the sword shall be converted into the ploughshae
anu the lion shall lie down with the lamb
Besides, il is the handmade of free institutions, under
which liberty and property are protected by nxed and
stable laws Ii cannot flourish in country where the
merchant is not assured that he and his children shall
peaceaoly enjoy the fruits OF his ensrptssa Under mill
BILE rank in society TO which he is entitled There the
most petty military officers regard him as belonging TO
an inferior class II is sign of enlightened prog
resa when merchants their rank society,"
Civilization teaches us to believe that the triumphs OF
foreign commerce are far more glorious because far more
useful TO mankind than the triumphs OF foreign war
Foreign not only cnrichcs. but gives charac
ter throughout the world to the cities which are success
full in its pursuit Such cities lose their provincial posi-
ton, and are elevated into mars for all mankind May
hope that distant day Philadelphia will enjoy
the proud distinction Of rvane London, and Liverpool
and New York in the successful pursuit OF foreign COM
Mr. Buchanan took his seat amidst the same demon
STATIONS OF applause which greeted him when ne CON-
John w Forney, on the par, of the committee OF ar
rangement., then rose and said
Upon this occasion, gentlemen-an occasion immortal
in the annals of Philadelphia is highly proper that,
while feicate ourselves upon our great resources
we should not forget our great men-that while, gen.
lemen we stand here to advertise our devotion 10 our
ward TO be worthy OF the position assigned to US, We
should remember that have among us those who are
70 Ssn Un Se q the co.. Of
ments 10 propose the health OF giant Intellect-Wlam
M. Meredith Loud applause.
Mr. Meredith said he rejoced TO be present on this oc.
casion. No could be blind to the rapid advances
which Philadelphia had made within the last lew years,
and it would be found always that her progress woudbe
in proportion to the development OF the resources OF The
great Commonw ealth of which she formed part
Touching she Does the lakes, the tdewalers OF the
Atlantic, and the head OF the Ohio il is impossible TO
make any calculation, however large, OF the probable
extent OF her trade that can be pronounced to De extra
VACANT
The opening Of direct communication BY steam with
Europe, which here celebratng-the completion
and extension of the great Central railroad 10 which We
eagerly looking forward-the construction OF ni.
road to Erie, which confidently ancipaie-these and
other improvements accompanied by proper measures io
promoting our own production, 80 that we may hare
traffic well commerce, and not be merely the avenue
through which others may exchange Their products
these things if we can effect them must make Pennsf
vania what we all desire her to be.
shall dwell the details statistics OF the cues
tion they familiar TO all OF and. besides have
been already fuy treated Of by the gentlemen who have
preceded me- There is one condition on which alone We
can hope to enjoy all these advantages ought 10
easy one. for il is performed as soon A. we will IT.
we fulfil it, we cannot fail Until we fulfil II, our enors
must be in whole in part Intellectual IL - IN the cu'
tvaiion OF Pennsylvania spirita State Prde-an ear
desire OF all promote the benefit OF every par
our community. -. !.
The glorious which the nature OF the sssemote
to- night indicates We have here the representatives
the people of the whole Commonwealth--the mempen
of our legislative bodesthe executive ohcers-and GU
zens from all parts OF the State, and representing the w
dnstry and interests of all We meet to pledge ourselves
TO Pennsylvania that henceforh we shall be one people
with one love and desre-that OF advancing her glory
and prosperity This the one thing needful inn
alone wanting to Give us this harmony OF feens'
and we must have concert OF action And Jet Us all na