Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-02-24

The New York Joa,raal Of Commerce. the most dig
ni6ed aud ably conducted Journal in that city, refer
ing to Che agitation Of the Tariff question, peril
nently remarks that The various projects foot for
modification of the existing tariff, keep the public
mind in state of constant discuiet, and seriously
interfere with the operations of trade and eommeTcs
without the promise of any useful practical result.
No one who has studied The history of past discuss
sOns on this subject will readily believe that there
is likely to be aretrograde movenentiR public senti-
mont, sufficient to justify the adoption of proteo,
tive tariff as that is generally understood The
vantage ground which the principles of free trade
have gained will never be abandoned by the friends
Of thst liberal policy; AID any political organization
THAT attempts TO re-estabsh the old order so often
emphatieally condemned by the popular will, may
prepare for an ignOminiOus overthrow the moment
thst the issue is fairly before the country. The
question Of specific duties as opposed to the sdvalo
rem system, win have still fewer friends among the
people. wherever it is thoroughly understood.
But aside from any question Of return to the
principle Of prO'eeioo, or the adoption of specific
rates, we are led 10 ask, is there necessity at this
time fog any change il the existing tariff We be-
the present tariff farther trial, We but eehO the
ssut nent OF tire efourIs Of The people Of this cour
try, and indeed OF sevsn-eightbs Of thos. engaged
in either trade or nlenufac ures. The spindles and
looms Of New Ensland are working ss rapidly az
possible and with every prospect Of higher state
Of osperiy ihan they have ever before reached.
| EfoIa all parts Of the cOuary, tbeio mes, with
each mail the evidences of revival in every departs
ment of industry; and The clamor for government
aid which followed the late financial revulsiOns, is
drowned in the catter of busy wheels, which the new
tide has once more set in motion There remain, but
ether argument for change End this is certain
ly entitled to respectful consideration We alIude to
The wants Ofthe government Here The fact meets us
tlat during the discussions which preceded he reduc
tion of 1854 that change advocated by this paper
and by other journals and speakers with an especial
vewtoamore economical admins ration ofthe govern
ment fnanoes. No matter which party is in power
overlooking Treasury will surely lead to prodigai
| ~ and fraud No vigilance can guard an accumu
lated surplus from the attacks of schemug politicians
and division Of the plumber at once becomes an
or ect with the INSCRIPTIONS and designing. 1t il
nothing sgainst the tariff or the excellent financial
policy Of Secretary Cobb, that the resources of the
Government did not escape the effects CT storm
that Frustrated nearly every other interest in the
country. No one wishes to make the revenue of the
Government independent of the welfare of the PEG.
ple if it share their prosperity ii must necessarily
psrtske of the same TeVersss. Having been in the
vale we are once more on thsupward march, andtht
receipts into the Treasury have proportionaly in
cressed. The total revenue from customs at thi:
port for the month which closed yesterday was about
three and half million dollars against little ovel
one and half million for the corresponding month
Of 1853 With the privilege Of reissuing the Treasu.
ry notes now out, in case portion of them should
be needed, the Government may safely venture upor
their next fiscal year in the confidence of abundant
means for all proper charges on the Treasury. The
agitation Of this subject, and the fear Of change
tended to limit the growth of foreign trade The
moment that the financial policy of the country be
comes settled its present basis, and it is under
stOOItsst no important change will be Immediately
attempted, another cause of anxiety will be removed
aud fresh impetus given to the tide of prosperity
/ now turning toward its food.