Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-02-12
The State Rights Democracy and tho
Pennsylvania PrOtoCtiOniSts.


Pennsylvania Protectionists.
Much stir is being created at present in
Washington, and indeed throughout the
country, by what would seem to be very
material difference between the State Rights
party of the old school, and the Pennsyl-
sania Democracy, backed by the opposition
of both sections. This difference arises out
OF opinions expressed by the President in
his last message, in reference to specific du-
ties for revenue purposes. Incidental pro-
lection would of course follow as natural
consequence, from such system, and, as
might be expected, the Democracy object
most earnestly to such an Infringement of
Federal doctrine on democratic principles
The Washington States boldly proclaims
that the Democratic State Rights party
should-rather than concede anything more
to the impertinent demands of the Penn
sylvania Protectionists, read the arrogant
advocates of such outrageous heresies, out
of the democratic church We sincerely
hope that the democratic party will never
be compelled to chose between principle and
the gallant democracy Of Pennsylvania, who
.stoed SO true to their party and their favor
tie statesman in SO, bnt should the issue be
made, we would unhesitatingly assert that
it was the clear duty of the democracy to
cling to their ancient principle of free trade,
let the consequences be what they may.
In fact, we see no necessity for modify
ing the present tariff in any way. The
statistics of the custom house show that the
duties arising from imports, at present, are
fast approaching, if not exceeding the du-
ties paid during the flush times of sc and
81, which left surplus in the treasury of
$2O,O0O,00O. With these facts before us,
it is evident if the expenses of the gov
eminent are arproximated as nearly as
possible to the expenses Of '55 and SO, that
the income of the treasury will equal if not
exceed its OUTLAWS, as there is really no
necessity for the outlay of the present year
exceeding the outlay of '55 and '56 We
could excuse and justify the Increased *
penditures Of the government during the
last year, when we contemplated all the
surrounding circumstances, when we took
into consideration the monetary crisis which |
cut off the income of the government al
most two-thirds, the Utah war, the Kansas
difficulties, &C. but there can be no excuse
or reason, but extravaganza, for an increas-
ed expenditure during the present year land
should the government, by wasteful ex-
travagance, and supine Indifference to the
public interest, increase the public debt,
which is already embarrassing, democrat,
as we are, we candidly confess that demo-
cratic congress and democratic administra-
ton should be held accountable to the peo-
pie, and made to answer for their sins with |
their political heads. Pertinent to the SUBJ
ject which we are discussing is the follow
ing paragraph, which we extract from the
Montgomery Gala. Confederation
''Let Congress look into the enormous
estimates for the army for instance. Some
$4,000, 900 or $40, 900 are annual
ly appropriated for the maintenance Of
little skeleton affair of an army, composed
of IL, 900 or 16, 900 men; thus costing the
government in the time of peace, $1,000
to 81 400 to the man. There is not an
army on the face Of the globe that cost one
half the amount proportioned to numbers.
Nor is this sum consumed in paying the
poor officers and men. If this were the
case, we should be less inclined to find fault
but it is stolen by an unprincipled set Of
contractors, quartermasters and commission
crs. We knov something of the enormous
frauds and tricks Of these people, and have
long wondered they have never been brought
to judgment"
Let Congress eurtail the expenses Of the
Army, the Post Office and the Navy; let it
cut down the salaries of it's own members
to reasonable compensation for their la
bors, let it give up the Pacific Rail Road,
the $50, 200, 900 bill, and expel the politi-
cal land sharks who haunt its lobbies, and
We warrant them that the government can
20 on smoothly and safely, and the nation
i debt diminished, and finally wiped out,
without resorting to big tariff on the ad
,alo7ena principle or to specific duties, with
Incidental protection