Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-03-13
4Olttltal.
Douglas ON the Tariff.

Such has been the intensity of public feeling on
the slavery question, since the organization of a
sectional party, that all other national questions
have been more or less lost sight of. For veal
or woe, that question will soon be settled. In
some form it must be settled. Union or no Union,
the people of America cannot perpetually neglect
their dearest interest for the sake of the everast
ing negro.
Among the many subjects which must re-
engage the attention of people, will be that OF
the tariff To civilized and trading people,
their commercial system is of the very first i'm
portance Upon judicious and wise commercial
regulations must depend in large measure the
prosperity of every branch of national labor. To
secure such regulations demands an amount OF
both theoretic and practical sense in the states
man, such as no other single subject requires.
Upon this subject Of the laws of trade and COM
merce the world has been long and obstinately
in error but in this, most other matters, 1t has
been making very distinct progress. The United
States was the first to adopt the principles of free
trade-in practice, however, but partially. Eng
land and France have followed our example in ac-
cepting the principle, and have advanced far more
certainly and surely in practice. This is not to
be wondered at when we consider the position
and surroundings of these nations Our govern
ment, resting purely ON the popular will is nee.
essarily more prompt to accept reforms and
more wavering in their support, than the old and
well established monarchies.
Besides this, our utter infatuation on the negro
question has so diverted the national mind from
this question, as to enable the friends OF The
bounty OF protective system to exercise an undue
weight on these questions. Our rights have beer
invaded while We slept. The old, false dogma
of the protectionists have been again and again
thrust upon the country and under Republican
rule bid far to triumph. That triumph, We un
hesitatingly assert will be as shortlived and dis
astrous to the party as their negro policy. Th'
latter is based upon a desire to gain secfIond
advantage; the former upon desire to win sDecia
and unjust privileges and bounties for particular
classes. The very objects that underlie sucl
movements forbid their acceptance in a fre
country, where all men entitled to shar
equally in the benefits of government. Th
odious distinctions made and the unjust bountie
paid, by the system of protection, can never b
borne by freemen; nor can the commercial polio
of such system be sustained for a moment be
fore enlightened man. The whole system
based upon injustice to the great mass of tn
community; and is at the same time utterly erro
neous in principle as a fanatical measure.
When the time comes for refghting this ques
ton before the people, these positions will b
made clear, and the subject thoroughly discussed
In the meantime, it is gratifying to see that ther
are minds which comprehend already that tn
next conflict on this subject will not stop shoI
with a simple defense. The war next time wi
be carried into Africa. The people of the n ortt
west will ultimately settle this question and settl
it finally. 1t IS an utter impOssbiIty for Ii
great agricultural, commercial and consumin
people of the Northwest, to submit to this rt
strictive system, and suffer themselves to be take
millions annually to fatten the manufacturin
monopolsts of the East. Their interests are to
immense to suffer it to pass without a thoroug
investigation. When that investigation is made
let our Eastern masters rest assured that we sha
rend their rotten chains like pack thread. III
North west will not only not pay tribute to any pa
of this Confederacy, but will demand such
policy as viii give free trade with the whole Coz
tinent, and in the end with the whole world. O
this question, in the future, the New Englan
landlords of the loom, and the Pennsylvania iroI
mongers will no longer have to contend with Il
South and have in their aid all the prejudice
their section The war will be one where "Gree
will meet Greek" We rather long for the bait
to come which shall establish an enlightened al
liberal commercial policy for America, and fir
the Northwest from her present tributary positiC
to the East-N. Y. Herald.