The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-04-05


extract from dsngsnuous article with The above cap
on relating 10 remarks the late treasury circular
explaining Mr. Hunters bill l...s
1.-THE Union does complain Of the dc parimons de-
csion in present the other hand approves OF
IT, But because the decision is given In acc ordanee W nh
previous decisions in similar and because The
ary has put upon thar ground and has ntimaIed that
the question one, and confined TO the present
act alone, his decision might have been different the vu
lencc OF political malignity blind as IL 10 yndictve
hnds occasion Tor charges Of the most dispsagng kind
upon the Secretary, and for calumnious pom
the whig parry Now, this very question, to whether
freight was dnabe charge not, has been deemed so
doubtful that II has been brought, If mistake not more
than once before the yet the political y OF
MI Corwin must be mpugned because he aludes the
doubtful nature OF the question, taken merits
and has the rankness say that il question:
unaffected Ivy previous decisions, his views might
be different from those which have hitherto the
rule Of construction in reference to ii.
1T Is difficult 10 perceive what ground acc asatoy
charge there in ibis But required this any
case where perveson be used in the effort diston
honesty into corruption, and the imputaon motives be
made 10 supply deficiency OF facts
The "American" is wfuy mistaken in its supposi,ion
that our remarks relative to the treasury circular were
dictated by want OF candor It's supposition,
vinced was mere pretended supposon which il knew
was not sustained by the facts of the We trust that
we can do justice even 10 political adversary; aud we
have OF late given abundant evidence of ability to do
BY overlooking many mistakes in the present admins
raton, for fear that we might be thought DESTROYS OF
thwarting its efors--feebe and i'll considered though
they be-to promote more wholesome state OF public
opinion on the most momentous question which can ag-
tate the American conederacy We have gone further
than candor or strict justice required TO 20. and we
have orbone TO critcise the inefficient acts of men who
pofessed willingness TO restore peace to the country
We gave them credit Tor honest intentions, although their
acts gave us but feeble and uncertain support We were
willing to excuse palpable bad judgment by attrbung
il to weak nerves rather than to deliberate design Mr.
Fillmore, we understand, is remarkably sensitive for
public Ii this be he had better get rid of that
sensitiveness, or teach his ban-dogs decent behavior
But TO return 10 the treasury circular.
We had good reason to know several days before it's
appearance that the treasury circular explaining Mr.
! Hunters bill was in of preparation. We had
good to believe that il would take the ground that
freight on imports Part OF the cost which duties
should be estimated levied, and collected for the benefit
OF monoposs, and TO the injury OF the of the
American people Wing Underwriters from this city, and
wing papers in other towns and Cities had announced that
freight would be decreed by the Treasury Department
portion OF the cost of imports They went far as 10
denounce any other idea vain, ridiculous and absurd
These things induced TO publish article on this
subject in advance Of the circular. When we had made
thai publication, we felt that we had discharged duty
10 the pubic; and waited patiently for the appearance
of the circular itself When il finally appeared we found
that it sustained the ground had iakcnground which
wing letter writers and editors had pronounced vain,
ridiculous and absurd Whether the editors OF the BALI
more American among those whig editors, we do
not remembers for have thought necessary
] charge our memory with its views any than with
the shifting figures Of Kaleidoscope.
But the circular showed manifest reluctance sus
tain the view was forced by the facts Of the case TO
sustain In effect, the Secretary OF the Treasury apollo.
gzed 10 his monopost wing friends by going out of his
way manifest disposition 10 deede their favor He
stated that he eonsraised by Overwhelming cur
rent of concordng decisions to decide against them
while he avowed his readiness 10 have given dieren,
Interpretation Mr. Hunters bill. bu, for the ehsuaux-
frise which bad been planted in his way We regarded
this apology; and we regarded it as fact plainly
proving the desire of the administration TO break down
the present system TO make the principles
of free trade and place every possible encumbance
the commerce OF the country that American monopo.
lists including fugveslave defenders, in Lowell and
elsewhere, nigh, grow fat on enhanced duties.
The history OF the late treasury circular reminds OF
another treasury circular issued when General Taylor
was President Of the United States and Mr. Meredith
was Secretary OF the Treasury.
II has always been principle OF American legislation,
when guided by democratic counses 10 take oil the bur
dens from commercial intercourse and especially TO mt
gate those heavy membranes imposed by restrictive
navigation laws The history Of the efforts made in that
behalf is ably set forth in the Opinion OF the Supreme
Court delivered at its late session by Judge Wayne,
which we published yesterday In 1917 Congress though,
it right by way OF coercion to pass law prohibiting the
importation OF goods, wares merchandise, except IN
Anne vessels vessels belonging to citizens OF the
country of which such goods, merchandise were
the growth product manufacture Attached to this law
was proviso that should only erfend TO such nations
had adopted or might afterwards adopt similar egua-
lion But for greater certainty, we quote the law ITSELF
passed March /. 1917 II provides
"Thst after the thirteenth day of September next,
goods wares, or merchandise shall be imported into tho
United a,es any foreign port place. except yes
United States in such foreign vessels as truly
and wholly belong to the citizens or subjects OF which
the goods the growth product or manufacture. or
from which such goods, merchandisc can only
be- or most usually shipped for transportation Pro
ypsp. NEVERTHELESS THIS REGULATION SHALL NOT
rxrKSp TO rms VESSELS FOREIGN skTros WHICH
u.. NOT ADOPTED, WHICH SHALL NOT ADOPT, SINH
LAR REGULATION" a.zt.. t"#
This proviso il will be SEEM modified the enacung
clause as to make the restriction apply only to the yes
sells of those nations which had not or might not after
wards adopt similar restriction a. to American vessels