The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-07-17
Hon. James Buchanan.

| Sohlheh', anu MS voting Tor that bill Is
claimed as conclusive proof Of his being an
advocate of high Tariffs A candid peru
sal of the facts of the case will, we think,
put the charge fairly to rest, and it is to
this point that we now invite our readers.
1T will be remembered that, by The terms
OF the Compromise act Of 1888, the Tariff
was to undergo periodical reductions until
1912, when it was then to be plnced upon
Revenue basis. Mr.. Buchanan, as before
stated, expressed'his Willingness to abide
by that Compromise in good faith. But
before tho expiration of the Compromise
act, a new legal question arose, which, diyi.
dcd the best minds of the country. Ii was,
whether further Legislation would not be
necessary to carry out this provision of the
Compromise. Mr.. Calhoun held that fur.
ther legislation was necessary. ~. -
Tho condition Of the Treasury also rem
dered such step necessary. The whole
country was suffering, in all its interests,
from severe pecuniary embarrassments, and
universal bankruptcy prOslrated public as
well as private credit. When Congress
assembled IN 1912, the Treasury was emp
ty, the estimates exceeded the reseuue, and
an increase Of the Tariff, to meet the wants
OF tho Government was absolutely de
manded. The advocates Of high Tariff and
Protection hailed the misforiunes of the
Government Us an auspicious opportunity,
for carrying out their plans. Distribution
OF the proceeds arising from the sale of pub
Inc land, was a favorite measure with the
Wings, and they determined, if possible, to
retain this policy, and, mt the same time, 10
increase the Tariff; although. if these pro
ceeds had been appropriated to the wants
OF tho Government, that increase might
| have been moro moderate. Two separate
Tariff bills passed Congress, containing this
distribution clause, and both were vetoed
in quick succession by President Tyler. The
Wings still adhered TO their policy, and the
session was well-nigh spent before any step
was taken to pass a Tariff, and provide for
the wants of the Government. They knew
that something must be done, or The Gov
ernment be left bankrupt, and they calcu-
lated upon this necessity TO force the Dem
ocratic party into the measure Of high
Protective Tariff. The admitted necessity
| Tor further legislation upon the expiration
OF the Compromise act, and the positive
necessities of the Government, constituted
the circumstances under which the Tariff
Of 1912 was brought forward. 1t came up
finally on the 9th Of August, three days
before the adjournment, when Mr.. Buchanan
rose and explained his position. His speech
will he found in full in the Congressional
Globe. Our limits contine us to extracts.
Mr.. Buchanan commenced by describing
the condition of the country as follows:
"The only alternatives now presented to
the Senate is, whether we shall pass this
bill, or leave the country in its present de.
plorable condition. Every substitute pro.
| posed for the bill has failed; and tits moral
ly impossible that any other measure can
now DO introduced in its stead, with the
least hope of success.
! five adjourn with.
out passing any bill, what will be the con,
dition in which we shall leave the treasury
OF the countryl Why, sir, many Of the
ablest lawyers throughout the Union, as
well as large majority in bolh Houses ol
Congress, hold the opinion, that there is
now no law in existence under which any
revenue can be collected. This is the almos,
universal opinion of the Wing party; and
1t is also the opinion Of my friend from
South Carolina, (Mr. Calhoun,) on who's,
judgment ! am disposed TO place great reli
ancc.
Now, our Treasury is insolvent; the public
creditors have large demands against it,
which II is unable TO meet: the state oi
things is growing daily worse: and there
is even danger that the operations of the
Government may be wholly suspended
and yet we propose TO adjourn, leaving the
country in this fearful, this deplorable con-
dition. Now, | maintain
that the first duty of an American states
opinion which may be necessary to sustain
the character and credit OF his country
Without the passage of this very bill--for
we can obtain no olher-we shall be dis
graced at home, and still more disgracot
! abroad.
~ have thus hastily sketchcd one side OF
the picture; and now let me hasten to an.
other. | admit, most cheerfully, that the
bill is extravagant in the protection i, af.
fords 1t is bin Of ,ohich !
do not approve, and fer srhieh I,ooala not
rotc, wcre IL not for the present unparalleled
condition OF The erisS;Qg iato, the treasury
4 ana hc country. L had earnestly hoped
that it might be modified aud amended by
the Senatuc in such a manner rs to render
IT more acceptable; but in this have been
utterly disappointed. Noreluclion Of du-
ties whatever has been made upon any OF
the protected articles, with the exception oi
iron-au article in which Pennsylvania is
deeply interested-and one cent per square
yard on cotton bagging. The duties upon
hammered, rolled and pig iron have been
reduced considerably below the standard oi
the act of 1882, but of this do not com
plain. ! do not desire that any manufacture
OF Pennsylvania should he protected 10y =
prohibitory duty.
When came 10 Congtess, at tho com
mencement OF the present session, | confess
| entertained better and brighter hopes.
thought that the propilious moment had