Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1852-03-18
THE TARIFF QUESTION.
BY A MOHAWK VALLEY FARMER.
No. |.

No. !.
In treating on the subject indicated by the 4.
boye caption, | feel that It is a delicate one. and
one that should be approached with caution at
the present time, and treated with prudence
True, II Is great and important subject, and
deserves to be freely and unreseryediy discuss
ed. But to do so at the present time seems to
be difficult task without giving offence in some
quarter. The truth Is, the question has too long
and too often been made political party quus-
ton. II has been dragged into the political
arena, first by one party and then by the other
1t has been made to assume almost all phases
and forms, and Janus faced to look, FIRST this
way and then that, for favor 1t has been
made the stepping stone to promotion and pow
er, and the pretext for INJECTING political ostra-
cism.
This has been its great misfortune, to have
party friends and party enemes--to be IN great
favor to-day, and IN bad odor tomorrow, Just
according TO the success or caprice of this or
that political party. And Just so long as 1t is
allowed TO be party question. Just so long will
tyascllate, luctuate, and change, aud sport with
the prosperity and dearest interests Of the poo
pie OF these United States. What want is
nrst, right policy, and secondly, what Is equal
" desirable and important, stability, permaHtncy
Of policy. AMI the latter we can never have nor
hope for until the question Is taken out of the
hands Of mere political partizans, hl il comes
to be considered as a great and important Ma
TIosAL question, entirely above and separate
from all party schemes and party influences,
As Il great question of political economy, ii
concerns the whole nation all classes-capltal-
lists and laborers manufacturers, mechanics and
agrculurists importers, exporters and consun-
ers and as all these classes are politically d.
vIded into political parties, the injustice and I'M
policy OF making 1t a party question will at once
be seen. For IT 1t thus be made the foot bail
Of party, no more reliance can be placed upon
the stability Of protection feature essential to
It's permanent utlty-than can be placed on
the perpetuity Of power Of one party 10 the last
ing exclusion of the other. As great national
question, and as such only, | hope IL may here
after be considered IN our national councils -
AS such and such only would / gladly consider
and discuss 1t now, If history and facts and the
present position Of part es did not compel me- IN
tracing ITS various phases and history through
the past up to the present time, to notice CERTAIN
facts oy the way, Of this unpleasant character
But these references lmade SIMPLY for The pur-
poses Of illustration, Will be as few as possi le
and shall endeayor 50 to present them as not
needlcssy to wound the feelings OF eilher of the
two great political parties OF the present day.
and at the same time show them The misfortune
Of the question ever having assumed a patty
aspect.
There seems TO be somewhat widely prcva-
lent impression in the political world That the
two great parties are pltted against each other
upon tins question-that, TO be a truly orthodox
wing, man must be an advocate OF a protective
tariff and to be truly orthodox democrat he
must vPPose a Pio'colNe 'ain' wish 10 d.sd-
buse the public mind Of this erroneous imprcs-
Sion for such | know ii to be. am, ana /
trust | ever shall be, tolerant to all. would
prescribe no man for an honest Il ference or n
hoJoay, whether wing or Democrat, IS not to be- be
tar,ii. ''''''''''' 70 .