The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-02-25
WASHINGTON CITY.
FRIpAY, FERRUARY %. lsso.
THE TARIFF OF ls4G.

THE TARIFF OF 1916.
II has become perfectly obvious that no measure
of revenue can be adopted by the present Congress-
in the short space of time remaining of its legal
existence except the simple suspension Of the tariff
of 1857 for period Of some three years. period
sufficient 10 allow full time for the commerce Of the
country to thoroughly reinsate itself from the
vulsion Of 1857. The effect Of such a suspension
would be to revive and put in force the of 1876
a measure which was framed by the democratic
party, and espoused by that party in its platform,
which carried it through the war with Mexico the
war with the fusion in 1852 the war with The
kuow-nothings in l854'5 the war with the black
republicans in 1856, and which would have carried
it bravey and successfully through the term Of Mr..
Buchanan and the campaign of 1860 but for the
fortunate passage Of the act of 1857 in the closing
session r the last administration. Defects that
measure may have, and notifications there may be
which would be in the highest degree advisable in
it, if time permitted them TO be made but it at
least had this merit that il efficient tariff for
rsUeaue, and that from 1876 to 1857 it enjoyed the
character of democratic tariff, commanded the
ton of the democratic party, and identified with
our national history. What was democratic for ten
years previously to 1857 would certainly not be an
ti-democraic after that period; what init
mately identified with the glory and expansion OF
our country then, would certainly not prove omi-
nous of decline and decay now.
1t seems TO us that here is safe and fair compro-
mise ground for all the members Of party,
or of any party in Congress who We're dem
ocrats from 1916 to 1857, and over whose views
on leading democratic questions acknowledged
change has come. Certain it is that the meas
| ure of 1916 commanded the unqualified approval
of every man who belonged to the democratic party
in the period when it was in force; and whether
these still remain within the true fold, have
wandered off into strange pastures, we think it would
be difficult for them to reconcile rejection of the
proposition TO compromise on the tariff of l8iG now
with their votes and their arguments in behalf Of tho
measure in the past Is it southern men who would
be obstinate this proposition {? Let them explain
how it was that the S,uth supported with unanmiiy
this measure for ten ycars-a measure framed
pressy for revenuea measure effective for rcve-
nue. and how it is that she contend obsti-
nately for the substitute OF 1871 measure framed
avowedly TO defeat revenuea measure notorious
y associated with The exclusive interests of the New
England manufacturers.
IL il be the northern democrats who are obstinate
on this proposition how 1t that the entire de-
luocracy of the North rallied enthusiastically to the
act of 1896 while it in operation, and carried
the elections in 1852 by majority unprecedented
in the history of the democracy of the North may
how is it that in spite of the then unioward and
barrassing attitude Of the slavery question, they
ricd the elections in 1856 with this tariff of 1916
emblazoned on their shield? Surely what was ac
ceptabe-what was agreeable To the democracy
of the North then cannot be very injurious
pusiye to them
Is it those members who, once members of the
democratic party, have gone off after strange gods
in recent years, that would now obstinaely oppose
the acceptance Of which once had their full
approval as to principle and their support prac-
teal political ssue2 BY opposing it now, they
taciily confess that their present object is of
mere partisan and reckless opposition 10 the party
who are responsible for the administration of the
government.
In no aspect in which the proposition can be
viewed do we find insurmountabe objections to
the acceptance OF III by tloSC members oil JOn-
gress who are superior to the arts of mere parti-
san machnation Two measures are absolutely ne
ccssary to the carrying on of the government. The
first and most important is that of authorizing the
reissung in some form of the treasury notes which are
now coming in in lieu of the revenue customs
Tho other measure is, the adoption of some
unlike c tariff Of 1857, which operates to defeat
revenue, but which shall operate to produce it in
sufficient quantity to meet the appropriations voted
by Congress Those who refuse to vote for these
two measures vote, virtually, to stop the wheels of
government; and if the present Congress shall adj
journ without providing the ways and means for
administering the government according to the re-
quirements of the laws passed by themselves, il
will make itself notorious in all subsequent
national history, Congress which knew its duty
and proved derclict to it.
THE SLAVERY DEBATE IN THE SENATE
mischievous boy has but to throw chip into the
pond and all the Newfoundland dogs on the COMMON