The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1858-07-31
WHOLE No. SS7
Political.
Direct Taxation,

Since it has become apparent that the
present lott Tariff does not fulfil its purpose,
and will not yield sufficient revenue 10 carry
OF the government under the prohigate adj
ministration of Mr.. Buchanan, but that a
vast public debt is accommodating and will be
entailed upon the country, the schemers and
organs of the party In power are awaking to
the necessity of providing ways and means
to meet the enormous current expenses, with
oft diminishing party patronage.
Pledged against tariff, with incidental
protection to American labor, the administra-
ton and the party it represents, must recanr
their principles, or else resort to Direct Taxa
ton, in order to afford relief. The Foreign
Influence, which SWAPS the counscls Of the
so ca led democratic party, and has given it the
ascendency, prescribcs Free Trade policy.
and it dares not disobey the dictate. Accor-
dinghy, we see the presses of that party are
beginning to advocate Direct Taxation as q
measure Of expediency and proprietv.
At the rate Of one hundred millions per
annum, to which MIR. Buchanan has swellcd
the public expenditures, Direct Taxation
would exact an annual contribution of twenty
OF twenty-five dollars from each voter in the
Union for the support of government. Here
tolore, except i'll time of war, during intestine
commotion, or in some extreme emergency,
no statesman would venture to recommend
policy. so grievous and injurious; but as the
administration is hopelessly drifting upon
the shoals and breakers Of financial Iuin, its
friends grow desperate, and the SPIRIT Of
Jc.terSon. paper printed at Charlestown,
Virginia, ho!StS the banner of Direct Taxation
1t states, as well known Fact, that many
southern men prefer this to the present mode
of raising revenue, because their uortion C
the coniederacv is unduly taxed under the
Tariff, and . if the figures be correct " pays
more THIN twice as much as the Northern
States into the Treasury. 1t argues that &" if
each State had been taxed according to its
Constitutional ratio of representation" the
figures would be reversed, and thinks this
the strongest argument tina: could possibly
be used in favor Of direct taxation" 1t secs
mo other mode Of obviating this state Of
affairs, arh'lsi the South remains in the Union.
And it must eventually come to
this"
Should 1t do So Free Trade will orcn wide
the door to excessive importations and the
competition Of Foreign manufactures and
labor with our own, spreading ruin and
desolaton upon every industrial interest in
our midst.
The popular and legitimate mode ofraising
Revenue is by duties levied on imported
goods, wares and merchandise; and our H.
nanclal history lncontestah.y proves, that
under high Tariffs the country has ever
proSpercd and the welfare und happiness of
the people been promoted: whereas under u
Free Trade policy, manufactures and tw,le
have invariably anGushed and the people
been impoverished. If it be conceded, that
high tariffs produce surplus revenue, and
that, as MIR. Buchanan insists. IL surplus in
the Treasury is u fertile source Of corruption
and danger the objection could be easily Oh
waited by devoting the surplus to Internal
improvements, or distributing il among the
the States. Mr.. Secretary CrI, ma; say
what he pleascs, about Tariff being a TAX
upon the consumer, and that therefore the
lowest possible customs Should be exactcd;
but the proposition is self evident, that the
money spent in the home market adds to the
substantial wealth Of the country and ci,cu-
latrs through the channels of domestic trade
to the producer and consumer, while that
paid for imports is distracted, in specie from
the general fund and capital, and goes to en-
rich the manufacturer and laborer in foreign
lands; and if the effect of Protective Tariff
be to keep up the wages Of home labor. it al
so diminishes, in exact proportion, taxation
for the maintenance of paupers, and enables
the American working man to derive from,
honest toll competency and independence.
+, cde,1ck Examiner