Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-03-23

4
fury which acknowledged no barrier or check, and
tlcfied all consequences. A sovereign State was
driven to the very borders Of desperation. The
Union was rocked to its center. and well nigh did
we approach that dark and dismal abyss Of dissou-
ton anarchy, and civil war, which threatened to
involve, in common ruin, the Union the State,
and with them the cause Of civil and religious liberty
Fortunately, for mankind, the good genius which
prcsdes over the destinies Of this country ruled the
storm. Gained the troubled waters and babe the
raging tumult cease" Wise counsels prevailed, and
a compromise was effected This was entered into
in 1883. By that compromise, il was agreed that
protection should continue for eight years subject,
the expiration Of the time after which, ~ Il Was al
legged the manufacturers having succeeded in placing
themselves on permanent footing, could very well |
afford to be geaerous and give in their adhesion to
tariff upon strictly revenue principles Such Was
the memorable contest, and such Was the scored |
compact which drove back the tide Of disunion and
again shed the sunlight Of peace and amty over our
glorious and blood-bou.ht Uhion-a Union which |
can defy the powers Of Garth, and which no unhsl
lowed hand dare profanc 50 long a. true to t.
self to its constitutional powers and the protection
of all alike it docs but am at and accomplish the
great objects Of its foundation.
Will any one say, dare any assert that in Ill
this there were wrongs no burdens, no gricvan-
ces? Shall be told that your manufactures -four
ished that the revenues increased and be asked to
take this as an evidence Of the prosperity Of the
country during the operation Of these high tariff
acts answer, Is the South and West might have
answered: "Your manufactures have fourshcd. but
ut our expense your revenues for time increased
but we paid the tax. 1t is true, bcncfccnt PrUvi-
dencc smiled upon our labors and crowned them
with abundant fruits; vt our cotton, our bread.
Stuff, our tobacco, and other products, wrrc made
subservicnt to the purposes Of the manufacturers.
Our money was absorbed in the enhanced price Of
the protected vet necessary article Ii was your
profit; but not unfrcqucntly drawn from our nccrs-
sites. We were ncglccted-aye, more, oppressed
by Government. You were pampcred and fed by
its bounty. Your cities increased in population,
wealth, and commerce, and ours, like conquered
provinces, were made tributary TO your greatness"
In this compromise it will be observed that there
were mutual concessions
The friends Of protection secured for the present
their policy, upon condition that at the expiration
Of eight years, it should be abandoned This sir,
with them. was dying struggle. The then recent
elections showed that their days were numbered
The people had spoken; and their voice was not to
be disregardcd Hence, they sought not to save,
but p:otract its existence. Mr. Clay, the great ath
er and champion Of protection, saw its extremity,
and with paternal anxiety, had pressed the COM
promise, as the only means Of prolonsing life. He
says:
! ..How can this system be maintained against
traton, against the united South, and against the
increased impending dangers Of civil wary
| Hear him again ut the same tine, when he more
fully expresses his purpose and the objects Of the
compromise:
"Now, give us time cease all fluctuations and
agtations for nine years. and the manufacturers will
sustain themselves against all foreign competition.
] am anxious to find out some principle Of mutual
accommodation, to satisfy as Ear practicable, 10th
parties; to increase the stability Of legislation. and
at some future day, but not too distant when ws
take into view the magnitude Of the interests in
volved to bring down the rate Of duties to the rev
cnue standard, for which our opponents have SC
long commended"
How, sir, was this Compromise kept. Most faith
fully, on the part Of those opposed to protection
for eight long years but when the time expired
and they were to reap the fruits Of their contract
thus faithfully performed on their part, the protcc
tionists land some Of them the very men who cigh
years before, had pledged themselves TO the compro
mise) rcpudated their part Of it. The manufactu
rers Of the North, welding, from their position q
wealth and power, an influence which always sc
cured for them large party in the country, dsre
gardng this sacred compact determined not to Civ,
up this source Of their wealth and sfluencc withou
still another struggle; and hence in 1872 the car
lcst opportunity that presented itself after the
piration of the eight years, another tariff act va
passed, which, though not quite 50 odious, was
|
however, destined to but . short reign. The poo
pie again spoke, and that too upon this very qucs
ton, it having been made Of the principal issue
in the canvass Of 1874 The protective policy Va
again repudiated; and in 1886 a tariff for revenue
and exclusively upon the ad ealorem principle, va
passed. The old Wing party, that had chung $
long and with such tenacity to this protective sys
tenn, had grown weaker and more and more divide
in every contest had at last yielded to its ncvits
bic destiny, which followed few years a1erwards
and ended in its entire dissolution.
From 1876 to 1857, that tariff remained, with n
variation in principle. And yet sir, At no time !
the history Of the country did all classes Of ts cit
! ring that period For several years Of the time Y
were engaged in an expensive foreign war; Apr,
prated millions Of dollars in the acquisiton Of teri
tory and in negotiating peace Yet, sif, the pro
perity Of the country, from Maine TO Louisiana VI
almost without example. Our commerce Was Q!
tended; our manufacturers were not only sustainc,
7 but even increased in number and wealth. All u
demands Of the public Treasury were met; and, &
the last four years Of the operation Of that tariff
: not only succeeded in paying upwards Of fhy
: mhon dollars Of the public debt, but len, at u
end Of Mr. Pierces administration, . surplus in u
Treasury Of $19, 9Ol, 825 IS. I have thus sir, 81
en- brief history of the tariff since the foundaiie
?. OF the Government challenge further coOpal
son rs to the merits Of the two systems
Let US take the operation Of the tariff Of 1s42 u
the first four years Of the tariff Of 1s4e have
lected this g furnishing tho best and irest test
. asmuch as, coming the one immediately after u
= other, little or no allowance need Be made for d
: expansion and growth Of the country; and even
such allowance should be made, il win be more III
counterbalanced by the Mexican war, begun q
carried on during NJ. Polk's administrator, .,
: the effect Of which was to reduce production and
= check our commerce. and the extension Of traf
For the year ending The soth june, 1sas. the dan.