Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-02-15

lyear are not exaggerated, but On the contrary,
are rather below than above. The customs re-
ceipts for ten years under the tariff of 1916 in
creased III per cent per annum, but suppose
them to increase not more than per cent cold
is being produced, tobacco and other staples are
dispOsable Of at good prices and employ more
hands and although cereals are under tempo
rary depression, the difference is more than
compensated by the increased products He
had heard it estimated by competent authority
of n. Y, that the year will show a revenue of
sixty to sixty three millions, but without ex-
cepting that figure. he was willing to take the
responsibility of legislating, on the assumption
that the Seeretary's estimate will be rather
over than under; hence in his opinion, it WonId
be unwise and inexpedient to touch the tariff of
1857. If on the meeting Of the next session Of
Congress be insufficient, everybody might come
to some agreement for its arrangement.
Hr. Hunter proceeded to argue elaborately
the advantage of ad yalorem over specific du-
ties, and showed that the effect of specific i'm
ports is to make the consumer pay more when
he can least afford it, and less when he was
best able. The value can be easily ascertained,
we have the prices current from aboard and
consular certificates, and if the Government will
appoint faithful appraisers, and not act in the
rotation system, we will have an honest faithful
valuation. In addressing himself to the
protection arguments of Mr.. Bigler, Mr.
Hunter said that he did not believe pro-
tection benefits those interests which it seeks to
AID, were 1t for no other reason than that it
induces competition and brings down the level
ofprotits. The depression of the iron interests
in this country, as in England was from the re-
vulsion of the credit system, and If was a re-
vulsion coming to all branches of industry
The production of gold in California, in Aus
traia is doing more to protect the iron inter-
ests than all the custom acts that could be pass
ed into law. 1t has been proved that iron can
be produced IN America as cheaply as in Eu-
rope, for our advantage of cheaper ore and
coal, exceed their advantages of cheaper capital
and labor. Alter expressing his belief that the |
American iron interest has nothingto lear from /
competition, that it is inexpedient to touch the
tariff, and that the only way to get along with |
safety, Is to reduce the expenditures. Mr. |
Hunter then concluded by saying that the
Senator from R. l. has made an appeal in the
| name of the American laborer, when he does so
he is eloquent and earnest, and said Mr. Hun |
ter, 1t touches my heart ifnOt my head He too |
had at heart the interest of the American labor
er. He would cheapsn the axe with which the |
laborer opens his way in the forest the hoe with
which he wrngs from the reluctent earth sub |
oASSCASC AOA HAS NAAc anu the coat 4
that covers him from the summers heat and |
winters rigor, the sailors ships, the cordage |
that keeps the spars In their places, and he |
would open by every practicable means every |
port on every sea to his commerce He would |
cheaper to the manufacturer his food and raj
ment, and the cost of the sugar that sweetens |
the cup that cheers, but not inebriates.
He would cheaper the iron and thus extend |
the track on which the millions speed their |
way by day and mig int in the pursuit of pleas |
ure or business. In short he would open wide |
the door for the self-deyelopnent of American |
industry, and for himself he was willing to bide |
the results. He did not doubt the capacity of his
countrymen to compete with the world. The |
young giant of the West has not attained his
full stature. 1t is idle to seek to bind him. He
will go forth in his path Of enterprise and en-
Pire. He will not set up his pillars by smooth |
and Gdeless sea or pause at the first outlook |
upon a wide and stormy ocean, but will meet |
its pillows and buffet with its storms, leaving |
wherever he may go monuments of his progress |
and power enduring as the rock OF this there |
can be no doubt Would it were as sure he |
be the minister of mercy as it is that he will be |
OF power, but the very suggestion of territory |
changes his whole nature. Territory awakens |
in him the lust of acquisition like the Pheni- |
clan who surrounded the hands with strips of /
his bull hide shield, and like that old Saxon
King from whom perhaps he is descended, who
sowed the cap full of earth over whole fields, to |
be held by such tenure as the strong impose on
the weak, but while Mr.. Hunter reprobated |
the universal lust of dominion that would |
bring from the ends of the earth the handful |
of soil, or the branch of the tree as en-
blems of his seizure, and of his titles to |
possession that may be useless when obtain |
ed, still they are acquisitions which he should |
use all honorable means TO secure; there is Gu |
ba, the rib taken from his side in his sleep male
and female created be them. With some fur |
ther remarks Mr.. Hunter concluded amid hum |
of applause.
Several hours were consumed in an uninter- |
esting debate on the Indiana Senator CASE
Adjourned