Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-02-09

| trust on a proper occasion, shail take tpe
opportunity of expressing my views at length
on this whole subject. l do not doubt the
sincerity of my colleague on the subject OF
the tariff. l have no doubt he is exceedingly
anxious for readlustment of it such as he
indicates but have clear opinion that the
worst friends of proper and prompt read
justment of the tariff are those who are con-
stantly attempting 10 give the question the
aspect OF partizan issue who are drawing
it into parties and struggles, and confounding
it up with the ordinary politics OF the day, or
asking W hat they know cannot be granted.
| listened to the remarks of my colleague
with some surprise. | can see no necessity
for coupling this subject with the course which
the Executive saw proper TO pursue with ref
erence to the admission of Kansas as State
into this Union. The President is doubtless
sincere in all he bas said on the subject OF the
tariff, and will stand by the views which he
has expressed, far il is proper that he
should interfere but, sir, no man can mlsun-
derstand the imputation fairly implied IN the
remarks of my colleague. Ii was worse than
to say in plain language that the message of
the President, so far as il relates TO this ques-
tion of rcadjuSting our revenue system, is not
candid. Nor, sir could understand the ne
cessity for his ailusons 10 the sudden and pc
culiar change in the sentiments OF public men.
Why, sir, this is by no means singular; and
| could give instances, were it necessary.
But | do not intend to dwell upon that point
at present. | shall have accomplished my
object when say TO my colleague, SO far as
relates to myself, that am ready to unite
with him, in good faith, in accomplishing what
| believe to be the will of majority Of the
people whom We represent; and to do that all
the better, | am willing TO treat the question
of raising the tariff as business affair, affect
ing the Treasury and the great industrial in
terestS OF the country, without attempting TO
- IL, h.a
tween the two great parties Of the country.
Mr.. CAMERON. 1t would seem to me, Mr..
President, that my colleague supposed
doubted his sincerity, and that have insinu-
ated that he has changed. L intimated no
doubt, and did not refer to any change on his
part. He says also that he is surprised at
what | have uttered. There we differ entirely,
for am never surprised at anything my col
league says or does On this question of pro-
lection there have been sudden changes, and
| will take his record to prove that he has
changed most miracu!ously. Now ,all | ask is,
that he and other gentlemen who represent
the President here shall act in good faith.
Let me repeat, that on this subject the Oppo-
sition has no power. This revenue question
is in the hands of the Administration, through
| its confidential agents in the House. They
will let us pass bill or not, as they think
proper. l am Pennsylvania not like my
colleague, who said, when this question was
up IN lo0t, tDat he was a national man tnal
he went to make tariff to suit the country
l go first for Pennsylvania, and always for
Pennsylvania. There is that feature in south
ern gentlemen here which always like TO
see. They stand up for their own section ;
and if We, as Pennsylvanians, would battle as
bravely and as boldly and gallantly for
Pennsylvania they do for the South, We
should have very little trouble in getting what
we ask.
Mr.. President, the people of Pennsylvania,
the working people, who are no politicians,
who only go into this question when forced
into it by political leaders. desire to get il out
OF politics and ont of Congress- and ! viii go
with anybody here TO pass such a law-iet the
modification be as moderate as it may-to take
this question out of Congress, and give rest
TO the vexed people of Pennsylvania. L, too,
at the proper time, will make my remarks in
full upon this subject; and l will be ready to
hear and rebut, if necessary, all that my dis
| tinguished colleague may say respecting it.
The motion to refer to the Committee on
Finance, and 10 print, was agreed to