Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1852-12-18
COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI, DECEMBER ls 1852

attention TO one or two other considerations alice
ting this subject The first is, the large mporta-
tons of foreign goods upon our currency. Most
of the gold of California, as fast as it is coined,
finds its way into Europe in payment of goods
purchased. In the second place, our manu-
featuring establishments are broken down by COM
petition with foreigners, the capital invested in
them is lost thousands Of honest and industrious
citizens are thrown ont Of employment and the
farmer to that extent is deprived of a home mar
ket for the sale of his surplus produce. In the
thirl place, the destruction of our manufactures
leaves the foreigner without competition in our
market, and he consequently raises the price of
the article sent here for sale, is now in the
the increased cost of iron imported from England.
The prosperity and wealth of every nation must
depend upon its productive industry. The far
mer is stimulated to exertion by finding ready
market for his surplus products, and benefited by
being able to exchange them, without loss of time
\ or expense Il transportation, for the man
ufactures which his comfort of convenience re-
quires.
| This is always done to the best advantage
where a portion of the community in which he
lives is engaged in other pursuits But most
manufactures require an amount of capital and
practical skill which cannot be commanded, UNI
less they he protected for q time from ruinous
competitor from abroad. Hence the necessity Of
laying those duties upon imported goods which
the Constitution authorizes for revenue, in such
manner as TO protect and encourage the labor of
our own citizens. Duties however should not be
fixed at a ate so high as TO exclude the foreign
article, but should be so graduated as 10 enable
the domestic manufacturer fairly to compete with
the foreigner in our own markets, and by this
competition 10 reduce the price Of the manufac
tured article TO the consumer to the lowest rate at
which it can be produced. This policy would
place the mechanic by the side Of the farmer, ere
ate a mutual interchange Of their respective com
modities, and thus stimulate the industry Of the
whole country, and render us Independent of for
eign nations for the supplies required by the hab-
its or necessities of the people.
Another question, wholly independent OF
protection presents itself, and that is wheth-
er the duties levied should be upon the val
ue of the articles at the place of shipment, or,
where it is practicable, specific duty, graduated
according to quantity, as ascertained by weight or
measure. All our duties are at present advalorem.
certain per centage is levied on the price Of the
goods at the port of shipment in foreign coun.
try. Most commercial nations have found it in
dspensabe, for the purpose Of preventing fraud
and perjury, TO make the duties specific whenever
the article is of such uniform value in weight or
measure as to justify such duty. Legislation
should never encourage dishonesty or crime. 1t
is impossible that the revenue office at the port
where the goods are entered and the duties
paid should know with certainty what they
cost in the foreign country. Yet the law re-
quires that they should levy the duty according
TO such cost. They are therefore compelled 10
resort TO very unsatisfactory evidence 10 ascertain
what that cost was They take the invoice Of the
importer, attested by his oath, as the best evil
dence Of which the nature Of the case admits.
But every one must see that the invoice may be
fabricated, aud the oath by which it is supported
false, by reason of which the dishonest importer
pays part only of the duties which are paid by
the honest one and thus indirectly received from
the treasury of the United States a reward from
his fraud and perjury The reports Of the Secre-
tary of the Treasury heretofore made on this sub
ject show concusively that these frauds have been
practiced 10 a great extent The tendency is to
destroy that high moral character for which our
merchants have been distinguished; 10 defraud
the Government of its revenue; TO break down
the honest importer by dishonest competition
and, finally, to transfer the business Of importa-
ton TO foreign and irresponsible agents, to the
great .detriment OF our own citizens. ! therefore
again most earnestly recommend the adoption Of
specific duties, wherever It is practicable, or a
home valuation, prevent these frauds
would also again call your attention 10 the
fact that the present tariff in some cases impos
es a higher duty upon the raw material imported
than upon the article manufactured from il, the
consequence Of which is that the du.y operates to
the encouragement of the foreigner, and the dis
couragement on our own citizens.
For full and detailed information 10 regard 70
the general condition Of our Indian affairs, J res
pcctfully refer you 10 the report Of the Secretary
Of the Interior and the accompanying documents.
The Senate not having thought proper TO rati-
fy the treaties which bad been negotiated with
the tribes Of Indians IN California aud Oregon,
our relations with them have been left in a very
unsatisfactory condition.
In other parts of our territory particular dis
tricts Of country have been set apart for the ex-
elusive occupation Of the Indians, and their right
10 the lands within those limits has been acknowl
edged and respected. But infCaifonia and
Oregon there has been no recognition by the Gov
ernment Of the exclusive right Of the Indians 10
any part Of the country. They are, therefore
mere tenants at suerance and liable 10 be driven
from place 10 place. at the pleasure Of the whites.
The treaties which have been rejected proposed
to remedy this evil allotting 10 The different tribes
district II country suitable 10 sheir habits Of life
and sufficient for their support This provision,
more than any other, il Is believed, led 10 their
rejection; and as no substitute for II has been
adopted By Congress, It has not been deemed adj
visable 10 attempt b enter into the new treaties
Of permanent character, although no effort has
been spared by temporary arrangements 10 pre-
serve friendly relations with them.
II Il be the desire Of COngress 70 remove them
from The country altogether. OF 30 assign 10 them
particular districts more remote from the settle
nents Of the vhles ia will Be- proper 10 - apart
by Law the territory which they are b. occupy.
and 10 provide the means nes,ssary for removing
them b. IL justice alike to our own cstizens and 10
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