New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-09-01
NUMBER 154.
= CO1 y N
HON. MILES TAYLOR. Z

oted every movement made in that body dnring the
ast session of Congress the Tariff question What
as already been stated by me- and what hope here
fter to state on that subject is, and shall be exclu
lively taken from that authority. The pages Of that
ecord gven by which it is made easy to refer TO
he book itself for the correctness Of my statements
therefore invite scrutiny and challenge refutation
Let us now review the whole ground on which the
subject has been presented to the public. Mr. Taylor
mas said through the Pioneer Of Assumption and in
defence Of himself, that he found at Washington
the national treasury overfowing-ther revenue
from duties was too large-a reduction of the Tariff
nust take pace-the duties must be essened or en-
tirey removed articles which were incidently pro-
tected by the Tariff Of 1s4s. The Black Repuhli-
cans, as ever on the alert to nure Southern interests
would use the occasion and temporary power TO
njure the South by insisting, not that the duty on
sugar should be reduced proporionatey with that of
other great national products but that the duty on
sugar should be entirely stricken off"
Here Mr.. Taylor seems to have been egregriously
in error. He saarmed by the menaces of the Black
and he becomes unnecessarily so, be-
cause the duty could not have been totally repealed
for the simple reason that decided majority was
opposed to it, which l will very conclusiyey show
before this article is finished.
the government required reduction of the duties on
imports. let it be If the protection Of the great
interests Of the country is to be reduced, be it.
Against this Louisiana would not complain, but let
the reduction be eaualn T
This sounds patriotic enough, and comes with a +
good grace from the South where true patriotism is
abundant. But while it is thus commendable as the
sentiment of true Americans, it falls like feathers
upon marble when directed to minds such as those
which alarmed Mr.. Taylor. The free surrender Of our
whole sugar interests and all rights besides in the
South, would never have subdued the insatiate ami
mosites and cravings of Black Republicans. To give
up all the duty, and give up even slavery ITSELF would
satisfy the peserous faction. Like the horse
leech, their cry is give. give. They would even take
our lands, and would then want US to work them
besides. There was therefore, no concession we
could make to them with which they would be con-
tent, and to have made concessions at all to few
Black Republicans, while a majority of the House
not only never asked but opposed those CONCESSIONS
is what we had not authorized Mr.. Taylor to yield!
have said that Mr.. Taylor, by his votes in Con-
gress did not protect the interests of bis constituents.
have said that his speech on the tariff, and his
votes the same subject, did not conform each with
the'other.
have said that his fears of total repeal Of the
duty on sugar had no foundation in fact.
have said that large majority of the House was
opposed not only to the repeal but to any reduction
of the duty. =
have said that the reduction did not originate in
the House but in the Senate. l.
have said that the Tariff bill which first passed
the House made no allusion whatever to sugar, and
therefore left the duty untouched, and that Mr. Tay
lor voted against it. ~
l have said that this bill was then sent to the
Senate, and was there amended by the reduction of
the duty on sugar to % per centum. ed
I have said that upon its return to the House, so
amended by that reduction, then Mr. Taylor voted
| for its adoption.
have said that it was Immediately rejected by the
House on vote of yeas 63, nays LOG, notwithstand-
| ing Mr. Taylor voted for it. See page $50.
l have said that it was then referred to joint
Committee of Conference between the two bodies,
which after deibeaon reported it back to the House
amended with the duty increased from 23 per centum
for which Mr. Taylor had voted to "a per centum.
have said that upon the final vote this bill thus
reported, which established the reduction at "a per
centum the law of the land Mr. Taylor voted orit.
And have said that Mr. Taylor had previously
voted in favor of Letchers amendment to reduce the
duty from 80 to "a per centum but it was defeated.
|
in the official journal which records every members
vote in the House Representatives of If am wrong
because the journal is wrong; give the authority
for my statements and refer every sugar planter in
Louisiana to the book itself for their truth.
Now the chief ground assumed by Mr.. Taylor in
vndicaton of his course, being the compulsion super
induced by the fear of total repeal, think it will
be made to appear to my readers before my conclu
sion, that Mr.. Taylor had other and more cogent
grounds which he has not thought proper oannounce
But propose first to establish the fact that his feal
was imaginary.
The tariff of 1S46, under which foreign sugar pait
duty of 80 percentum ad ualoren, was proposed tt
be amended. The first amendment was that intro
dnced by the Chairman of the Committee of Way
and Means, proposing to reduce the duty sugar t.
ten per centunl. This bill was considered in Commit
tee of the Whole and was there Immediately rejeete
by striking out the enactng clause, that Mr. Tay
lor had for alarm from this first demonstra
tion of the Black Republicans. See page 479.
Mr.. Colfax then introduced bill to repeal the dut
entirely. He also presented resolutions from th
Legislature of Indiana requesting the total repeal
But neither the bill of Mr.. Cofax nor the request
his Legislature considered by the House,
that Mr. Taylor had no cause for alarm from th
second and last demonstration of the Black Republ
cans See pages ll3, 224, 4lO .-.
Mr.. Letcher's bill to reduce the duty from 80
"a per cent was then introduced and was negative
by the House by vote of III nays to IA yeas
that Mr.. Taylor had no cause for alarm from th
demonstration, although he himself voted for it. 81
r page sol.
: Here were the only demonstrations made again
t. sugar, the result Of which ought to have aroused
it Taylors confidence, instead of his terror. But
was frightened. Whence did he contract his alarm
.. Was it from the speeches of Black Republicans
., Surely, speeches do no good except to eectonee
a upon. The votes do everything. He ought not
have been alarmed by the speeches of Mr.. Cola
and Mr.. Bliss they were but words, and Black R
II II publican Words at that. They could not decide
II question of vital Importance which involved result
IL deeply affecting of the most valued agricultur
" pursuits in our country The voters could alone
IN eide all such questions, and Mr.. Taylor had 40 to
N of these majority with him at every ballot Ho'
IT, then, in the of all that is parliamentary, cs
aI Mr.. Taylor say that the Black Republicans "wou
use the occasion and their temporary power, not
fl reduce the duty proporionateiy with ether great
Mt tional products, but to strike off the duty entirely
re- Whatever may have been, the OCCASION thu
" temporary power = was totally inadequate. Tn
of could no more have done it than they could ha
q. created world 1t was fabulous and unworthy