The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-04-14


port and export, has grown to such enor-
nous proportions. that the scale of revenue
under the Tariff of 1876, which was adjust
ed with view of paying with the aid OF
the sales of the public lands) the Legitimate
expenses of the Federal Government have
overleaped the mark, and instead of the
$50, 900, 600 estimated by Mr.. Walker, is
paying over $65,OOO.OOO.
The necessity for reduction has thus be-
come imperative; and, accordingly, we see
the Democratic politicians of the country
voting and contending for large reduction,
which would reduce the tariff taxes upon
people to the lowest fgures-of say from
Is to Is per cent. They are opposed. how
ever, in this policy by the opposition poll
ticians of the North, who are endeavoring
to mince the measure and to postpone and
defeat the reduction by every indirect
means; while the opposition politicians of
the South are Selling the occasion for re-
newing their old proposition for Distribu-
tion-and, by diverting from the Federal
Treasury the proceeds of the public lands
and distributing stipends among the States
under the delusivc name of laad quotas, I'M
der such bills a. Senator Bells. are helping
the Northern opposition in their effort to
postpone and defeat the reduction of the
Tariff to the proper standard.
Thus it turns out again in the evolutions
of party politics that we have arrived in the
wear 1857 precisely at the point at which
we were in the year 1s5-and are stand
ing again on the threshold of a great con-
test between the South and the masses on
one side, against Northern capital and anti
Democratic politicians North and South on
the othcr-upon the great problem of the
Tariff and its accessory subjects.
To announce the Democratic position on
single branch Ofthc subject is TO announce
it on all its cognatcs and, when Mr.. Buch-
anan in his admiral Inaugural stated the
position Of the Democracy ON the subject
of the public lands, he virtually stated the
weightier matter of the Tariff:
s.No nation in the tide of time has ever
been blessed with 81 rich and noble an in
hcritance as we enjoy in the Public Lands.
In administering this impoI tant trust, whilst
it may be wise to grant portions of them
for the Improvement of the remainder, yet
we should never forget that it is our cardi-
nal policy to reserve these land as much as
may be for actual settlers, and that at mod
crate prices"
For actual settlers and at moderate buSi-
ness prices-not for non resident spectators,
for mammoth corporations, or for land job
bing Statns-but for sale, section by sec
ton, US the healthy progress of natural
emigration produces demand for actual set
tiers "a policy just in itself, judicious in
its economy, pouring steady uniform
stream of annual revenue into the FEEDER ii
Treasury, under which every acre sold will
be heralded by the clink of the price as it
falls into the national Golfers.
The announcement of this policy for the
public lands is equivalent to announcing
the whole financial policy of tho snrnrn-
ment. 1t was only another form of itera-
ton for the President to add:
1T is beyond all question the true prin-
ciple that no more revenue ought to be col
lected from the people, than the amount
necessary to defray the expenses of a wise.
economical and efficient administration of
the Government. To reach this, it was
necessary to resort to modification of the
Tariff, and this has been accomplished in
such a manner as to do as little injury as
may have been practical to our domestic
manufactures, especially those necessary
for the defence of the country. Any dis
elimination against particular branch for
the purpose of benefitting favorite corpora
tions, individuals or interests, would have
been unjust to the rest of the community
and inconsistent with that spirit of fairness
and equality which ought to govern in the
adjustment of the revenue tariff"
In these two paragraphs are sketched
the whole programme of policy which the
Democratic party will maintain during the
new discussions of Tariff and Distribution.
Sales of the land to actual settlers, and no
more revenue from Tariff than will be
necessary, with their aid, to defray the
constitutional expenditures of the federal
government this is the whole Democratic
scheme of policy for the Public Lands and
the Tariff.
Against this policy the opposition will
seek to divert the land sales from the federal
treasury, and to augment the duties of the
Tariff by River rnd Harbor appropriations.
by indirect protection and by every other
expedient that shall minister to their policy
of high Tariff and large federal revenues
from imposts.
Upon the issues thus presented, the
Democracy will maintain their old stand,
fighting for the broad interests of the mil
lion, fighting for justice to the South, fight
ing for a constitutional administration of
the federal government, to the bitter end
content to fall or triumph by the enlighten-
ed Judgment of the people, Richmond
| Examiner.
HORRIBLE MURDER By SLAvEs.--At
| Lake Providence, La, horrible murder
was committed by some slaves upon the
body of their master, w. III. Harry, of that
neighborhood, on Saturday, the 2Ist nit.