The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-01-18
Extension and Rene wal OF Patent.

I
The Washington Union, great central org Il, Of tho
cabinet and the spos sysen including land monopolie,
and patent monopoles, continues keep up the Ere WIN
the zeal OF paid lobby member in behalf Of the or en-.
oh oy special ac OF the patent for Colts revolver
Inc caonet organ thus using the whole influence of the
administration directly push through Coagres, ons Of
the largest Of these enormous patent monopoliss'
F IN. X. Herald.
10 the readers OF the Union il Is not necessary that
We should brand the foregoing tissue OF fasehoods
The Herald 80 well known to be pcapabls OF making
truthful ausion to paper, that we feel under no
sort OF necessity TO do more than occ asonay repes, bs
remark that nobody Of intelligence confdes in ANYTHING
which has no better authority to sustain il than the Her.
aid We have not written word in favor Of the rf
newal Of Colts patent. We have published commupj
cations Tor the renewal and against IT, bat have expressly
declined expressing any opinion in the case We have
reseved'o ourseit, however. the privilege of discussing
all propositions which come in conflict with the princi
pies on which we believe the government, can be most
successfully and prosperousy administered Whaeye,
PoPosiuon has tendency TO violate any provision Of
ne constitution we stand pledged 10 resist and To expose,
and u The application OF Mr. Col, comes within this cate
gory' we have no hesitation in denouncinx ~ an limo
sSiion wAich the democratic sentiment OF Cons,es,
should promptly reject Whether Mr. Coils application
as within thus class Of depends upon fac,a which
We have not as yet investigated Without rrejudens the
case we shall avail oursef OF the occasion urnisbed BY
the foregoing Misrepresentation OF the Herald, 10 state
succincliy but explicitly the principles involved in all
such propositions which we shall seek 10 maintain.
II VIII not be disputed that the whole system OF psl.p,
laws an aggression upon one OF the fundamental min
ePes OF repuoiicansn-bat principle which denouncs
nonopoies as contrary TO the genius Of our republican
institutions. The fathers of the constitution, for The
purpose oil promoting "the progress OF scencs and uss
si afs authorized Congress pass laws "sscurne for
limited times 10 authors and inventors The exclusy. right
70 Their respective writings and discovsriesp We are
not disposed 10 question The wisdom of this innovation BY
way OF exception to the fundamental principle 10 which
we have adyered But we have questioned, and we
'u question the wisdom which has enacted our present
complicated and defective system Of patent laws
There can be no difficulty in understanding the motive
which introduced this clause into The constitution. Ii
was designed to operate incentive to genius in ex
ertng itself Tor the promotion of "science and the use.
fsi arts" The compensation secuted consisted 10 the
monopoly embraced in the exclusive right TO the inven-
ons and discoveries resulting from extraordinary enors
OF genius But This monopoly restricted 10 s dura
uon 10 'imied tmes, and this Limitation was both an
acknowledgment of the soundness OF the fundamental
principle OF opposition 10 monorolies. and clear
nouncsmen OF The object in authorizing its violation BY
granting patents for "miied times" That object un.
quesiouably was, that The monopoly should continue
Ius, long enough 10 enable the inventor to derive reason
able compensation for his contribution to science or the
useful arts Its total pervesion Of the constitution TO
enact under its authority law which sol only secure,
reasonable compensation. but enables the paenfes TO en-
lfus.
public
a moments reflection viii satisfy every that all
are bardens upon the community on which
they live, and IT isexaety this feature ia ali monoposs
which makes them obnoxious TO the republican ssni-
nept OF our Institutions. No monopoly can be justified
nor ought any 10 be tolerated. unless il can be shown
clearly that The benefits derived by the public such
as 10 outweigh The Burdens which il imposes. Charters
Of incorporation are monopoes, and be justified no
longer than they prodsce benefits which make il The 10
Ietes OF the parties taxed by them to submit their bur
dens This is the principle which alone the granting
Of an exclusive right 10 inventor to use his invention
be justified The law which overIooks this primer
pie. and looks TO more than reasonable compensation IN
disregard Of The public interests, is ony anrepubt
can, but II is unconstitutional lfhere he any who sup
pose that democratic President having the aneceden'
Of Franklin Pierce be induced give his ascent 10
law which violates this srea, principle Of refub eans
sven though !, may seem to fall within the letter, whilst
violates the spirit, OF the constitution then we say 70
such tha,hey have not read The political character and
history OF President Pierce have
We do not understand It to be a matter OF course that
he President IL give his 10 every b parsed by
Congress which its face seems to be within the pale