Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-03-27

The TWO tariffs.
We have had no conf ct Of arms with the
seceded States: the business Of the Post-of-
fee has been continued in those States under
the authority and at the expense OF the Uni
ted States. and so far as We are generally
concerned. matters have gone on as if there
had been no secession But the indications
are that this smoothness Of things is not long
IN continue One of the first acts of the
Southern Congress was to adopt the revenue
laws of the United States then in force That
BODY afterwards considered the subject OF
permanent tariff, bill having been reported
to it to that effect, which was ordered TO be
published, but was not adopted The origi-
nal act continuing in force in ''the Couieder-
ate S;ates.'' the then existing tariff laws oil
the United States, is still in force in that re-
aion-which is substantially the tariff act of
1857 In the mean time the .. s. Congress
passed an act, increasing the rates OF duties
on foreign impOTtations, which is soon to go
into effect. When it does, there will imme-
diately arise conflict between the two,
which will present practical issue. If the
Federal administration persist in ignoring
the fact of Southern Confederacy, and con-
tinue unable to collect duties in all the ports
of the seeded States under the new tariff,
commercial cupidity will most probably
avail itself Of the cheaper imposts levied in
the Southern ports, and make them the chief
channel of entrance into the country The
revenues of the Confederate States" would
thus be greatly augmented at the expense OF
the Federal Government. The treasury of
the former would be quickly filed, while that
of the latter, all eady in wretched condi-
ton, would soon become hOpelessly bank
rupt This commercial conflict will precipi-
tate upon the administration at Washington
the necessity Of the adoption of some mea-
sures. which will remedy the evil which all
must see Is inevitable. But the administra-
ton can only execute the existing laws upon
the subject. and consequently can do nothing
without the aid of Congress. An extra ses-
sion may. therefore, be put down as a fore
gone conclusion.
This extra session of Congress will be fore
ty. The most obvious alternatives presented
TO it. will be to collect the duties imposed by
the Federal tariff, by any and every means
which the exigencies require-Or, by block
ade and embargo prevent and prohibit the
entrance of vessels into those ports-Or, prac
tically recognise the fact of a southern Con-
tederacy. and cOnfne the consumption of i'm
portations through its ports to lis own peo-
pie, by the establishment of line of custom
houses and inspecting officers. under strin-
gent rules and regulations, all along the
northern border of the seeded States-or
lastly. as suggested by the n Y. Post, free
trade R.publican 'urnal, reduce the tariff
at once to or below the standard OF 1857. and
thus block the secessiouists at their own
game.
We do not deem it important to enter now
at length upon the discussion of either OF
these expedients. But we may say they all
involve serious difficulties. To collect the
Federal revenue would lead to forciGle resIs-
lance OF the part OF the Southern COntedera-
CIV and thus Initiate civil war, the end OF
which none could fOretell. The prime Eu-
ropean powers have already decided among
themselves that a blockade to be fitctu Il
must have a present force sufficient TO main
tain il, which is now impracticable by reason
of the weakness OF The United States navy,
and the protection Indispensable in all parts
of the world to the U. S. m~IchaDt marine. |
In addition, there is an outstanding question |
as to whether. in such case, neuirals could |
be interrupted in their trade except in re- |
spect TO vessels carrying warlike stores, anu |
milton, &c. a simple embargo, which in lis |
very nature is short-Iiyed. and operates |
generally on the people declaring it as
well as others, would amount to little or /
nothing Besides both blockade and ,mbar- |!
90 appertain to state of war, or the CON- |
or the imminent apprehension |
of war. The former, especially, cOniem- |
plates actual or intend, d hostilities; and |
hence, would leai to the same results as |
direct attempt TO collect the revenue by an |
armed force. The suggestion OF a reduction |
of the tariff to the Confederate standard |
would probably lead to a reduction still |
greater on the part of the Southern Republic, |
and thus competition would be inaugural |
ed, which would result ultimately in the |
adoption of free trade by both, and direct |
taxation for revenue. The recognition |
of the "Confederate States,' would still |
leave the border slave States in hot water |
upon the subject of slavery, and demanding |
equal rights.
In view of these difficulties and compile a |
tions of which, il seems to us, the Lincoln |
cannot be unmindful, we
think that it cannot fail TO come to terms
which will be just in themselves and satisfac-
tory to the masses of the people throughout
the Union. Let the people of Tennessee there
fore await the development. In the Union |
as il is, they are in a vast minority as against
the Republicans but there are greater laws |
than any they may enact for their justiics- |
ton ard equality in the Union. Let them |
rally now to the old. time-honored Constitu-
lion of the Union, and in upholding it against |
The attacks of the fanatics of the North, de-
feat the aims of the, secessiOnists of the
South, and so restore and perpetuate it.
- The BaRneT in its well-eonsidered no.
lice of the Concert of Saturday night, for the
Benefit of the Orphan Asylum, pays the fol- |
lowing just compliment to one of the most |
worthy and accomplished ladies of Nash |