The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-02-26
.ASHINGTOII CITY.
SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 20. 1859

nome ny one OF ule senators from GeOISla the Hon
Alfred Iyersou, representing the importance Of some
action by he present Congress the subject Of the
tariff Although non-concurring in some OF the
views of thc letter there is much practical wis
dom in the following portion Of it, that We present
IT in our editorial columns. Speaking of the action
! Of the caucus of democratic senators on the 9Th
inst and Of the tariff Of 1857, Mr. Iverson says:
"rhis would leave deficit OF from fifteen TO twenty
millions annually How that 10 be supplied Either
/ by additional loans by an increase of the tatifi,
either now hereafter II necessitywas ID not,
under the circumstances, wise and proper That the DEM
ocratic party having majority IN both Houses OF
Congress, should agree upon and arrange such arin
would raise sufficient revenue Tor The wants oil the
government such AS it could stand upon and de-
nd and thus settle this yexed aud pepexing subject
at the present session If did not, the question
would arise again the next session. II extra
session should be called and under circumstances great
y more unlyoable 10 the free trade policy and to the
democratic party than at present The tar party the
proteconsts would have decided majority in the next
House Of Representatives and would beyond doubt pass
such tariff would suit them. Could the Senate de-
feat itg Agreeable TO the most favorable calculation,
the frce-trae anti-tarif party in the next Senate
would not have majority OF more than two or three,
and doubtful whether they would have majority
at ALL 1t was dangerous, therefore, in my opinion at
least unwise the subject 10 the next Con
grcss Besides the Senate should be able to de-
feat protective tariff sent To il from the House the
subject would form of the exciting elements OF the
next presidential election and would sweep the demo
cratic party from Congress in every tariii state, and
probably ia every free State in the Union In my opn-
on il better in every point OF view that we should
now whilst we have the power remodel the tariff to suit
our own policy. IL could be done by reducing the Tree
| list and making small addition TO dutabc articles
would vote for any reasonable arrangement which might
he deemed necessary and which might be agreed upon by
the democratic members and those opposed To protect
i've arif If deemed necessary or Important ana as part
of general scheme thus agreed upon wonld be willing
/ - Ir,xy .api nn auI
other similar articles but would not vote for any in
crease OF the tariff which was not agreed upon and
brought forward party policy to provide Tor the wants
Of the government and to settle the question at the
| present session.
lhese were the views presented by me in the caucus
alluded The letter of the Secretary OF the Treasury
the House of Representatives few daysago renders
certain that the tariff must either be emodelied OF te
national debt increased without any hope expectation
diminishing il for many years to come II ever MY
opinion is il do not alter the tariff at this SEES
sion it will be altered for at the next with ven
goance' The future viii show whether my counsel to
| the democratic caucus WAS wise or not
/ We do moi perceive how this view Of the subject
can be gansayed. 1t seems to lis that no friend OF
| the democratic party can resist this reasoning It
is so plain and truthful representation of the case
that We do not see how a contrary policy can be
persisted in than that recommended, unless it be the
express design Of members TO strike deadly blow
at The democratic organization
/ We appeal to higher motives, however than those
which refer merely to the success Of party we
| urge the Importance to the great interests of a
great country, Of providing ample means for con-
Quoting its government with energy and vigor
during the stirring period in public affairs of which
we apparentya the threshold. The present is one
of the most important crises in which the nations of
the earth ever found themselves crcumstanced There
are rumors Of wars Europe, and of the wisest
heads and most intelligent observers Of events now
there announce it as their fixed opinion that all the
efforts of the governments of the great European
powers viii be unable to prevent an outbreak Of
hostiliiics which may in the end involve the whole
European system.
There indications, too of European Intervention
in the affairs Of Mexico and other portions of our
continent and of general concentration of the
| CARDS of the European powers upon the affairs of
! this hemisphere. Is this fit time for manacling
The hands Of our government and deprving it of tie
snews of influence and potentially? Are the great
interests of our people and republic on this CONT
| nent to be sacrificed TO the miserable schemes of
parties and politicians matchmaking here in the CAPT
| tai In order that of our parties may destroy
| tue other, do the managers on either side pre-
| fer that foreign powers may defeat and thwart
| the interests of our country own borders /?
] What has the present Congress done for the coun-
! try during its existence 1t has done much to de-
slroy one party and to build up another. But, what
has it done to make the American name respected
abroad to establish American interests where they
were falling under foreign maohinaton TO increase
the Americans pride in his country and its institu
! tons TO infuse tone and vigor into the American
! character at home and abroad 1t has done moth
| ing--nothing.
The effect of its deliberations the contrary, has
! been to lessen the confidence of onr people in
] their government, and to break down American in
tercsis abroad. The administration had done much
to attract new eclat to name. The able states
manship the astute diplomacy of the President had
done much to impress foreign cabinets with the inn
portance of treating all questions in which we
/ had concern with crcumspecton, and our policy
4 with marked consideration. The policy that has
! been pursued by Congress has almost neutralzed
this favorable state of things and Taught Europeans
anew that they may deal with America as they would
! deal with tickle, unstable, passionate Irresponsible
i democracy.
4 few more days and, unless something be done
10 renstate the public exchequer and redrganize the
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