The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-04-16

In respect 10 the laflH, or the duties on lhe poio
of foreign goods few general observations can only DC
offered here subject affecting so delicatey the great
interests OF our agriculture commerce, and manufactures
cannot be discussed in article like this. II may be
safely affirmed however, that the democratic party is
pledged to tariff for as contradsnguShed from
one for protection aud that must stand or fall by this
principle Able as the United States now are TO compete
with Great Britain in many important branches oil manu-
acure is obvious that 10 few years the dliculy 10 De
olyed by The American statesman will be TO find articles
of foreign Importation in competition with our own pro.
duclions upon which sufficient revenue may be raised TO
the necessary expenses OF government without re-
sorting direct taxation. There 49, OF course, generally
incidental protection resulting from any tarh which can be
framed and the democratic party has invariably treated
this incident in the manner the best calculated 10 foster
those articles OF domestic growth which are essential 10
our national independence and safety IN time oil war
But still this party has always encountered bitter opPo
sition in its efforts diminish high duties, and to meet
the movements OF other nations, made in good faith. TO-
wards liberal system of exchanges, and the ex-
emption OF the navigation and commerce OF the
world from selfish legislation and harasslng dis.
ordinations Thus the efforts OF this party from 1929
to 1882 are in bold contrast with those OF the OPP
position, which insisted rate OF protection that
could not have been continued without begetting a
spirit of discomfort that would have been dangerous to
the stability OF the Union But just as those remarks are
when applied TO the condition of the country under the
administration OF General Jackson, how obvious and
striking do they appear index OF parties in the great
struggle which terminated in the passage OF the tariff of
1885, when for the first time in history, revenue
policy was dsencumbered of logic of the protection
sts and we took stand the practical results to be
exhibited bya liberal experiment the side of unre-
s,rcted commerce 1t alleged by the opponents Of
that tariff that foreign trade would fall of-tha our
manufactures would perish, banks stop specie pay
ments-that, in short, all the calames would follow
which are the result of unemployed capital and unpaid
labor 1t was eontended by the democratic party that in
the place of such prophecies, should realize
panson OF all our great industrial nteressthat i'm
ports and exports would augmen,-tha, labor would be
better pad-thatour manufactures would receive i'm
peus corresponding with the additional markets which
commerce would open the products Of agriculture
The experience OF the country confirms the accuracy of
the calculation on which the friends OF that tariff rested
the revenue system; and this experience warrants the
assertion that no reactonary back ward will
be made by the great party which assumed that response
bility Never since the foundation Of the government,
have we wine sseu more prosperous IoTeign
merce-never have the domestic exchanges been more
cheap, nor banks been in sounder condition. That
tariff has reduced half the taxes Of the people, and it
has than doubled the revenue The average annual
revenue under the tariff Of 1912 twenty three million
eight hundred and ninety thousand dollars, whilst this
year, under the tariff of 1916, it exceeds fifty millions
Nor is This all is admitted by the organ Of the wing
party that the tariff of $40 repealed the British laws
and opened their markets to breadstus and provis
ions, by which exports OF these articles have been
doubled Under the tariff OF 1912 revenue, annually
decreasing, had reached the low point Of twenty two
Millions and at the rate OF decrease, would
scarcely now have realized twelve mllions-a sum not
than sufficient to pay the interest OF the public
debt, which, under such state OF revenue, would
have amounted by this time TO about two hun
dred millions From such impending ruin the democratic
revenue system has saved Ii has doubled reve-
nue. augmented exports, and increased tonnage,
foreign and coasiwise, in ratio unparalleled in the
nails OF trade II is thus that successful results vndicae
the revenue standard OF tariff, they do the DISPOSE
ton made by the democratic party Of the United States
Bank. and the adoption OF the constitutional treasury
This doctrine is part of the system which aims TO
fine the federal government its limited functions II is
part OF that true conservative system which desires to
make this government what the constitution created
1.-THE guard OF foreign relations, guaranty ing
peace al home and abroad uniform currency the in
volatility OF contracts the diffusion OF intelligence, and
TO the States and the people the uncontrolled exercise
OF their reserved powers and rights.
The subject OF internal improvements by the federal
government opens another wide field OF discussion and
serves no, lees than the tariff and other kindred ques-
tons which touch the boundary OF implied powers 10
mark the distinction which has constantly existed be-
tween the democratic and wing parties Both parties
acknowledge the importance and necessity OF internal
but the difference arises out OF the contra.
rety Of opinion as to the point where federal agency
should begin, and State local authority cease,
to give 10 the subject that development which is best
suited 10 the genius OF institutions and the perma-
nent prosperity Of the people 1t is scarcely possible
enter upon general system Of internal improvement
| by the federal government without bankruptng the
treasury and endangerng the republican principle. This
will be apparent If take up the items Of the late river
and harbor bill, which defeated BY democratic
votes Appropriations were male in that bin for
many objects that have no more claim 10 national.
ily than would an appropriation for deepening the
channel in any Of our small rivers and If the plea
of nationality in such objects be acknowledged by
Congress, then there is not locality in the United
States which cannot be improved by the application Of
the money and labor OF the federal government II the
general proposition that the whole is made up OF parts