The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-12-18
pY ROBERT ARmsTRoEa.
Debate en- the Tariff, December, 1852.
Remarks of Messrs. Jones, Meade, &c.

Debate en- the Tarin, December. 1862.
Remarks ef Mssvs. Joass, Meade. Se
Mr.. JONES. Of Pefuasy ylvania said
Nj CHAIRMAN confess somewhat surprised
br other day TO hear the proposition of the gentleman from
New York. Mr. Books had supposed the honora-
bic gentleman to be what IS commonly known as a ma
tonal whg and, as such, was under The impression
that be IN favor of protection per How, there
ore he could offer resolution al this particular crisis,
ior such purpose as at proposed upon the tariff ques
lion, beyond my apprehension. Certainly, II that
gentleman s the advocate Of protection, he must know
mat constituted this House is at this particular lime,
nothing could rossislS accrue that would not be njn
rous 10 that particular interest lie knows that under
lhe operation Of the tariff OF 1885, al this particular juno
lure, the duties levied upon imports. particularly upon
articles which are mannictured IN my own Stale, are al
such high AS almost. in the language of the honor
able gentleman from South Carolina, Mr.. WooDwARp,l
have approached the robIbory point and in any pos
sble contingency viewing it as suppose he does, can
not conceive OF any aju ment which be made OF the
,ariH question nj This crisis that would be
ouesionaby injurious 20 these interests
The gentleman from New York Mr. BRooKsl stated in
Mia ds re solution this House that the object he had
in view was reduet Of The yspenus. with view 10
nreyent the accumulation OF snplus wish to know
Of The honorable gentleman from New York il he has
Looked abroad and icfscied before he made up his mind
10 take this sepi lie talks about surplus revenue.
Does that gentleman know that in less than one year
from this day you may not have surplus revenue. but
in its place you may ind deficiency hesitate not
one moment say a This time. az The honest conyjc
lion of my mind, that Europe has retrogfaded fifty
wears in The last six months. Fly years ago there
was an empire in Europe. That empire pretending to
be republican, arrayed IN active hostility against
lhe despotic powers OF Europe. Russia Austria, and
Prussia all combined with England against France.
Now what is the spectacle new empire rising IN
colossal grandeur, not opposed but backed BY all these
self-same powers oil desposm With all The diplomatic
preensons Of hostility TO the empire. made by Russia.
Austria, and Psssia my deliberate conviction is, that
there now subss,s a secret alliance, formed between
them, under which combined power the war OF despo-
ism against liberty is soon to be fought may be mis-
taken hope that am; but events in Europe
which have no analogy in history, and which were
never heard or dreamed OF before. Why, to use
paradox, there democratic absolutsm-he most des
poc power the lace OF the earth created by the free
sufrages OF ioy millions OF people. and ior what pur-
pose For the purpose, sir OF meeting an issue which
we ourselves have already made. Has not this country
planted itself upon the Monroe doctrine What does
that doctrine teach teaches that while the powers sub
ssng at this time upon this continent may hold their po
son long they have the capacity TO do our gov
nle feng that nevertheless disagreement
never can and will consent that any foreign power
shall gain fresh foohold upon American SOIL Is not
This the principle the doctrine oil the democratic party of
this Union Now, where is Cuba Why, precisely in
this position We have declared in all negotiations
with foreign governments that Spain may hold Cuba so
long az she has the poor TO hold and govern her. but
that no power earth shall occupy IT, saving ourselves
when she ceases 10 be able TO hold it.
Now, this is The doctrine OF our foreign policy or at
least will be- presume and in this very state OF things
one Of the morning papers tells thai the French empire
has annexed to il province of Mexico called Sonora
remark long made ktcheeu, that III Stale
affairs +" there are 10 small steps" Here is indca
ton; it is omnous, and leads my mind TO the
conclusion, looking upon the existing stale OF affairs
10 Europe. that In less Than twelve months from this day
you will find the French enpre. backed BY the desposms
Of Russia, Prussia, and Austria. prepared, and we'll pre-
pared too contest The question whether ioreIgn gov
eminent shall or shall not gain foolng upon this con-
tnent Now, The question rs not whether we shall 20
10 war with Europe; the question is not whether
shall follow the doctrines OF Kossu,h and 60 abroad
popagandists; but Tie true question presented 10 the
ham nj hail
er in less than Twelve months from this day. you may
be called upon 10 maintain your position abandon
III Not to become the aggressor IN propagaling this
doctrine but whether you will abandon defend il with
your arms, Mr.. Chairman allude TO this incidentally,
because know that the honorable gentleman from New
York Mr. BRooKsl IS perfectly conversant with these
affairs and knowing that this Is, al least possible con-
ungency, il strikes The extraordinary that he
who is a protective tariff man and national whig, and
looking thus upon the present state OF our foreign ela-
tions should al this day Tor immediate reduction
OF the revenues OF the government
Now. sir. Il opposed 10 an alteration oil the tafh Of
1916 at this time. am opposed 10 II because we nave
no landmarks statistics TO guide US we have not even
message from the President on the subject that gives us
statistical details, and we have not access 10 single thing
at this time which will throw any light upon this
perplexed and perplexing questions, and yet The
without hesitation or deberation, act Immediately
upon the whole subject oil The tariff with reference
s reduction in order 10 get rid o the surplus revenue
presume that but few members who hold seats
in this House who have derived their power from the
people. at eas, within Two year. know that do not
IL ia two years ] was elected member oi ihis
House The people of this Union have, within two
months elected their President and bearer Of
demoe principles Frank Pierce. Shall he not have
hearing on this great question, IN which The govern
ment has so deep an INTEREST," Is 1t not the will and
wish OF the democratic party that the man who is the
choice Of the Amerct people for The presidency OF The
United States shall be heard this, and on all kindred
SUBJECTS before we act l. sir, do not believe that The
democratic members of this ou,e will consent TO act up
on this snblect now but that they will regard II
called for and mpoliiic the extreme. Our candidate
was nominated by convention representing every State
in this Union They built platform, imbodyiDg the
doctrines o the democratic patty franklin Pierce plant
ed himself npon that PLATFORM and the American people,
by majority almost unbeard Of an the annals o our his
tory made him the President elect OF the United States
Az Tor the wbes, have fault 10 Ind with them in
ths saAr. because II Their papers speak truly, they have
obfc, 10 accomplish, and that object s division
Bat. knowing this, ! am at loss 10 understand upon
what principle democrat wish 10 open this question
this time You have statistic details, nor any
reliable information upon subject The most perpleKing
OF all questions bow you act. then. confess can
moi comprehend have no objection. however, TO full
discussion. perfectly willing 10 discuss this 9ues
ton from beginning 10 end For one, coming as do
IRON the Slate II PENNEY wanna hold myself IN readi
time 10 every nierrogaiory put TO me-
Mr.. CARTIER inquired Il the gentleman nov speak.
ing bad not moved mobilization Of tho tariff OF 1915 at
The last ession
Mr. JONES. will answer the gentleman did not
ask for change OF the tariff but only modification OF
the mode OF appraisenent without changing the dd "a
loren or standard will come TO that. though
in good time, and satisfy the gentleman that would 90
II again and often ugon the position have taken and
now occspy will read The gentleman the substance OF
resolution presently, drawn by my own hapdin 1870
endorsing the principles OF the tariff OF 1916. with pro-
vso that we would favor such modification OF its de-
lalIs from time 10 time as the exgenees o. ,ne country