Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-01-02
More "2eace Measures"

We are to have, it appears, another game
of Cancellation and harmony and compromise
for this session, of which MIR. Clay, as mat
ter of course, is the author. lie is alwa;s
saving the country. On Monday last, in pre-
scntinr to the Senate n petition praying 4
modification of the tariff of 1916.
"NIr. Clay said that he hoped that now, as
there was IN apparent calmness upon the sur
face of public afi:irs-a calmncss which he
hoped was real, and would remain-that the
subject of the tariff of 1916 would be taken
up and acted on in kind, Il liberal, and friend
" spirit; not taken up with any purpose of
reviving those lligh rates of protection which
formerly were established from various
causes, but to look deliberately at its opera
tions, and. without disturbing any of its es-
scntial provisions, to ascertain whether the
invention Of frauds and abuses could not be
reached by some suitable Legislation"
On the former occasion Mr. Clay thought
it IN excellent compromise for the South 10
give up every substantial interest and right,
provided the North would condesend TO take
it without expressly calling it the "Wilmot
proviso." He now invites them to another
compromise, in which they shall consent to
the renewal of protective tariff, OH condition
tlat it shall be called an act for the prevention
Of frauds and abuses!
We all know what it means. The Pro-
tcctionists wish to snuggle the subject before
Congress, and give their shape to it after
wards. Their whole press has been labOring
to that end for months The President press
ed the protective policy upon Congress in his
Message. The report of the Secretary of
the Treasury is full of it. Mr.. Clay is the
organ and head of the party in the Senate,
and he is not ashamed to sneak up to this sub
ject in the manner shown above.
The prevention of frauds and abuses, for
soo;h. The only frauds the protective party
ca be suspected of willingness to prevent.
are such as tend to diminish the revenue by
the smuggling of goods, or their low valua-
ton. Have they forgotten the debates OH
the passage of the tariff of 1916 Have
t ey forgotten that the then Secretary of the
Treasury, Mr.. Walker, made estimates Of the
revenues to accrue from that measure, which
were derided by all the oraccs of the protcc'
tive party, from Mr.. Webster down to Abbot
Lawrence, as mere cytravagance-litlc bet,
ter than lunacy? Let them look at the re-
turns OF revenue since then, ana lncy VIII
find that Mr.. Walkers calculations have not
only been equallcd, but exceeded in every
year, and the revenue is now far more than he
anticipated. Could there be Il more conclu.
sivc evidence that it is in no sensible degree
iured by frauds Doubtless there are petty
frauds practised, as there always will be under
every revenue measure; but the protective
purity will practice more fraud to get one tariff
through Congress, than all the rogucs of im
portcrs would contrivc in quarter of Il cen
tury. And when by every species Of trick
and falsehood, and corrupt appliance in Con
grcss. they have gained their end, it will be
no hing else than legal commission TO prac
ti:e fraud forever by the wholesale, on all tho
people of the United Statcs.-Chas. Mer.
From the Augusta Constitutionalist.
saStop my Paper.