The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-03-18

edo pe made subsidiary TO premature hot-house po
cy such as that TO be found in the tariffs TO which have
referred Or shall We yielding 10 the wise doctrines OF
political economy and that expansive civilization which
seeking TO make one great family OF all the nations o.
the earth 80 shape policy abolish discrimi-
natens unfetie the wings OF commerce. and take ste
forward to the mighty contamination
Mr. STANTON, I.would inquire OF the gentleman from
Virginia whether this increased commerce doe, not argue
an Increased lax in The shape OF egh upon the agricu
tural productions of the countryf
Mr. SMITH OF Virginia III understand the gentleman's 3
proposition be might well say that wagon TO take
produce to market was a tax on the producer.
But 1t is still insisted that protective policy is
sary to make us independent; aud that in diminishing
the revenue the necessity Of which is universally
ceded certain great interests must be left untouched Ray,
one Of them claims TO be strengthened by making wool
duiy free.
Without taking up the time Of the committee by using
all the materials at my command will make single
tract from aspeech of Mr. Clay in favor of the tariff of 1916
twill be that he asks but three years place
mfnu'actures on footing of independence:
"Mr Clay said object of protecting was
that might eventually get articles OF necessity made
cheap at home they could be imported and pro-
duce Independence OF foreign countries In three years.
he said could judge of the ability OF establishments
to rh those articles cheap they obtained from
abroad and could then teysate with the lights of experience
He believed that three years ould be SUFFICIENT to place
manufactures on the desirable footing"
And yet the cry is after forty years, Give Givep win
nothing satisfy this nsatiae demand Shall the many
be sacrificed the few Shall the principles of political
economy continue be dsegarded2 shall the march Of
true civilization be hindered and the manifest will OF Hea
regarded?
That duty is tax will not be denied 1t is burden
That no a3 burden upon those whose business 1t
prospers and whose pockets it s is transparent yet
will make an extract or two in support of this conclusion
Mr.. Clay said:
"we instructed by all experience that the
on of artoeis in proportion to the reduction in its
prices and that in general IT be taken as rule that the
duty forms portion of its price," .He.# .
Secretary Guthrie says, in his report, page IL
ait is assumed fact beyond question: that tariff
imports and that the tax is paid by the OF
the imports"
Our form of contemT laes in theory con-
tibu'ion by every citizen in proportion to his and
ability, to the support of government and any policy
legislation which, directly indirectly defeats this policy
of equal contribution is oppressive and unjust Let
see how this theory carried out in practice.
We have great agricultural great commercial and a
great manufacturing interest How has our great manu-
featuring interest grown up2 BY its untrammelled
and unaded investmens No. sir but by the action of
this government will give easy and familiar illus-
traon Suppose foreign manufacturer could sell an ar
tce in New York at sevenyye cents and the American
dollar but not less without loss Suppose that the
American manufacturer here and demands OF the
Congress Of the United States imposition of duty of
twenty-five per cent. that articles to enable him to
competition with the foreign manufacturer sup
pose he demands the imposition of higher duty in order
to give him what is called the home market II that duty
be imposed by Congress do not the Of that
ce in this country pay out of their profits the requ
site to enable that particular branch industry to live and
flourish? Is it not in fact tax upon all other industrial
interests asking protection bountes at the hands
the government? Do not gentlemen see then, that by
this policy utterly destroy the great principle of each
citizen n equal proportion contributing to the support Of
the government? N.a
But the manufacturers tell that they consume foreiga
fabrics and pay duties for the support Of the government
know they do but where do they get the where ytha
to do so2 heavy tax is imposed upon other industrial
pursuits that ey may live and enjoy large income an
of their surplus thus created they purchase foreign
goods upon which duties levied usually articles OF
luxury and not of necessity. The manufacturer derives
his ability to purchase bis wines and his silks from the
policy of protecon without which his manufacturing in
dustry would have existence. Does it lie in his mouth
to that he pays toward the Of the govern
ment2
The policy which dimnshes the of one branch
of Industry for the purpose of enabling another live
aud which otherwise must starve and which live
without bountes and fostering protection is substantially
and practically pauper 1t is TO cry out "Give give
from your surpus-give, die y What wisdom, what
justice what propriety is there in such policy Iknow
that gentlemen say 1t makes independent Independ-
enti that is argument as old the law. Does this
policy make the hourdealer the ndepend-
ent2 Does it him independent to take part of his
crop to enable another citizen to make blanket2
The principal objects of manufacturing and protective
solicude sugar. wooens cotons and iron. propose
show their present condition. giving the of
imports and the amount of our domestic production.
The amount of manufactures including mills mo-
asses, &c, was
| a.,