Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-03-06
Remarks of Mr. Douglas, in the Sem
ate, February 20, on the 1seyenue


| have few remarks to submit on the bill
generally and probably there will be no occasion
when they will be more appropriate than upon
the offering of the substitute for the entire bill.
The question now presented brings up for con-
sideration the original bill, and also the substi-
tute.
III am brought to vote between the the substi-
tute and the original bill, shall vote for the
amendment offered by the member from Oregon.
can not vote FOR the final passage of either, for
the reason that think it unwise at this time to
make any radical changes in the existing revenue
system. The time is inauspcious for legiSating
upon this subject. The condition of the Southern
States ofthis Conlederacy oughtto warn US against
any of these radical changes which would in
crease the irritation and excitement in that quar-
ter. We all know the repugnance OF that sec
ton of the Union to a protective tariff at all
times Under existing circumstances, the passage
of tariff bill of the character of the one now I'M
der consideration can not fail to increase that irr
tatiOn and to ALLEVIATE, in some degree, their af-
fections to this Union, which have already been
materially shaken. While the bill itselfis not in
accordance with my judgment of what revenue
bill ought to be- while think it is highly prOtec-
tive; while know some of its features are oppres-
sive on many great interests in the country; even
if were satisfied ON these points, | would not
vote to pass the bill at this time in view OF our
present difficulties
Then again, sir, there is a necessity for direct
ing our attention to our commercial relations with
our neighbors upon the north The unfiendly
or adverse legislation which has been adopted by
the Canadian Parliament, intended to Ge.eat the
beneficial effects so far as this country j. inter-
este in the reciprocity trelty ought also to be
taken into consideration. We have arrived at the
period where our commercial system should ex
tend to the whole continent; when, in arranging
10 fptfA
alton the effects, especially upon those countries
that adoin us upon this continent had hoped
that the time had arrived when we could mature
and adopt continental system that would EN-
brace, in one commercial unon all the States oil
the North American continent with a uniform
system of duties. Such commercial union
could be adopted, in my opinion, that would be
beneficial to all the States and countries who
should become parties to it. ! would like to see
it embrace not only the United States, but the
Canadas upon the north the British Possessions
upon the east and the northwest, and Mexico
Cuba and the Ceatral American States upon the
south. | would like to see them all bronght
within the circle of one commercial union and a
uniform system of duties, so far as all these
States were concerned. desire to see all custom
houses in the interior abolished, all restrictions
upon internal commerce done away with, so that
there should be entire free trade unrestricted be
American continent and the adjacent islands.
think the present tmeis suspicious to mature
n system OF that kind. We are about to inaugu-
rate new Administration, and / hope with il q
new commercial system. The very fact that We
have internal difficulties at home; the fact that
there has been revolution in Mexico which
brings into power party friendly TO free and I'M
restricted commercial intercourse: the fact thai
we have difficulties TO adjust with the Canadas
Pr iuer ont of rpni.
procity treaty. the fact that tie commercial sys
TEN OF the island OF Cuba. far as it affects
our interests is not satisfactory to US, nor is that
of Central America, renders it eminently proper
that should take up this subject a whole
considering it with reference to one grand system
The idea, sir, of unrestricted commercial inter
course between contiguous countries Is not q move
one. 1t may be novel; SO far applicable to the
American continent but if we direct our atten
ton to Europe. especially TO Germany, we viii
find there model which, with such modification.
as would make it applicable 10 this country. W,
might adopt, think, with great profit and great
usefulness ] alude TO the German Zollverein
There you find commercial Union consisting o
twenty-four sovereign, independent States o.
countries, combined into one Union for CONNER
cial purposes, with uniform system of dutie:
applicable to the whole and free trade as between
those different countries. | take it for grantee
the Senate is familiar with the German Zoilve
rein Ii was initiated in 1918, but was so imper
feet that it did not realize the advantages tina
were expected from it until 1888. Prior to TIT
latter day. there were such restrictions i'll exami
nations and IN certain tolls, on the boundaries o
the interior States, as to deprive the Arrangement
of most of its advantages; but in 1888, treat,
was effected between the principal States of Ger
many by which these restrictions were entire!,
removed, the interior custom houses abolished
and only the exterior ones kept up for the com
mon benefit of all those States and Government
that became parties to the tariff alliance.
From 1893 to this day, that system has WORKED
so well and so satisfactorily that it has lately
tended, until it embraces nearly all of Germany
Ii now embraces twenty-four States; and l be
leve there is a movement now on foot by which
Austria, Hungary, Pennsylvania. in fact the whole
Austrian empire. is about to be brought into thu
system; so that goods may pass from the head o
the Danube to the Black sen, as well as down III
Rhine into the Baltic. by the most unrestrictel
free trade between these people The system il
a very simple one All the custom houses arr
upon the frontier. They collect duties which ar,
to be uniform upon all the frontiers, and tines,
duties go into common fund.- and the proceeds
after defraying expenses, are divided between tn,
different States composing the commercial leagu,