The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-02-05
THE TARIFF.

| ne letleT VI llOn. mI. hpptebonsln fePlt
TO the Hon. Secretary of the Treasury, Mr.
Cobb, relative to the effect which the present
financial crisis will have upon the revenue
has called forth a reply, by an original Jack
sOnian, in the Baltimore Patriot, which dis
closes some interesting facts touching the
protective system.
1t is claimed by the writer that the tariff
was introduced especially by the Democratic
party, and was supported by them under the
administration of Jefferson, Madison and
Jackson.
The merchants and mechanics of the city
of Baltimore, in 1889, sent petition to Con-
gress, then in session, to give TO the country
n tariff which would secure TO it "the fruits
Of their labor from foreign pauper labor
Congress favorably responded 70 their petit
tion, and the first tariff protection for the
encouragement OF American manufactures
and American labor received the signature
of President Washington on the memorable
Fourth day of July, as If TO testify TO the
! American people, by the selection of this
memorable day, his high appreciation of this
second act OF independence, as worthy of
being associated with, and forever insepara
bly, joined and celebrated together on the
same glorious day, to remind the people that
they are one and indivisible; to complete
American independence. james Madison was
in this Congress Of 1889, and his speeches
and votes stand recorded in favor of this
tariff for the encouragement of American
manufactures. Ia 1886 President Washing
ton called the special attention of Congress
to the protection of American manufactures,
thus re.affirming his previous opinions. MIR.
Jefferson, for brief period, held the opinion
that Europe was the best workshop for
America" but his message Of 1902 and 1903
show that he retracted from that position;
and with this public retracton he announces
an important fact, that the war of 1919 pro-
duced the ''na,ion's conviction"-mark this,
the nations coRuiction-"that manufactures
were indispensable, and that il were worse
than folly to rely upon our enemy for pre-
carious supply of clothing and other articles
Of necessity" Mr.. Jefferson again says:
81 am quoted with those who wish to con-
tinue our dependence on England for our
manufactures. There was a time when |
hive been so quoted" How are the ciIcum.
stances changed We were then at peace.
| He Who therefore as now against domestic
manufactures must be for reducing as 10 de-
pendence on foreign nations" Can you de.
sire an opinion more decidedly emphatic than
this n favor of American and home labor,
and more decidedly condemnatory Of their OPP
ponentS9 Mr.. Jefferson goes still further in
capping the climax of all his opinions, for in
1877 he declares the "6lood and treasure er-
pended in 1912 Uas purchased alta cheap
price for the good ii has done in the establish
mem Of the necessary manufactures in our
conalry." Now, we will revert to the acts
and opinions of Gen. Jackson, the great mod
ern leader of Democracy. IL 1897, when
member Of Congress, he voted for tariff
In 1924, in the Senate, he voted for u tariff
In 1924, he wrote his celebrated letter TO Dr.
Colman in favor of tariff of protection 10
sustain the labor of the country. ln 1882,
when President, he approved of that Tariff
which nearly brought on civil war with the
South, and which was the highest tariff we
ever had. We have given, in conf nation
and in the establishment of Mr. Appleton's
opinion, that the tariff was Democratic
measure, rs the acts and opinions Of the
three great leaders of the Democracy, Mr..
Jefferson, Mr.. Madison, and Gen. Jackson,
conclusvely prove, as each in his time was
sustained by the Democracy, exercising an
almost uncomfortable power and influence
such as has never been exercised since by
any Democrat, nor probably ever will again.
"For we neer shall look upon their like
again" Nor shall like events or circumstan-
ces in our country, il is probable, again oc
cur for centuries, alike favorable TO give equal
popularity aud influence among the people
as political leaders to the end Of their lives.
The currency of the country, which concerns
every individual in the country, however
humble his position may be, evidently needs |
reform, and let us wisely cast away our pre-
judices, political or individual, anG by all the
lights of experience, of which the late calami-
tous times have developed much, wisely, |
profit by il, and by whatever means it is
best to be accomplished, call it by what
name you will, let us unite heart aud hand
in effecting the great object, or we shall
everastingly be subject to ruinous revulsior.
But the tarff-the tariff is what the country
most wants--the encouragement and protec-
tion of American or home labor--employ-
ment 10 the free labor OF our country-out
money kept at home and not sent abroad to
buy what we can manufacture at home
This the true snperstructure of our prosper
ity-give us good tariff and good curren-
cy, flourish we must aud will, and nations
shall pay us tribute, instead Of our paying |
tribute to them.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2s.-The Honorable
John Hickman, of Pennsylvania, said in the
House to-day, that the policy of the Admin
in relation 10 the Lecompton Con-
stitution was fraud on popular rights, and
a request Of him to vote for the admission OF
Kansas under that Constitution, was rehec-
tion on his integrity. Other Democrats coin
cided with Mr.. Hickman Con gressional pro-
ceedings generally uninteresting.
tY- The Washington States says "An
important discovery in gold mining is announ-
ced the effect of which will be, it is said,
very important in greatly increasing the pro- |