Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-03-27
The NexY Cariff.

the Gliference between the TWO systems were leSs
radical but as it is, we know not what will be
done ut its custom house on the first proximo.
| Many of the provisions of the new act are so
complicated and absurd that neither the mer-
chants nor the revenue officers can hope to un-
derstand at once their application, and there must
be great occasion for disputes aud endless litiga-
ton. Already the lawyers familiar with custom
house business, are estimating their increased
revenue and the courts will soon be crowded
with ceases" Even the corrections need to be
corrected.
J We are not now attacking the new measure
simply because of its injustice, although it is rad
ically defective in this particular, and altogether
one sided a system of taxation for revenue
Nor do we denounce it at this time because it
vastly increases the burdens of the country, and
is very oppressive upon commerce and trade; the
people will grow FESTIVE enough under the weight
thus laid upon them, and will take curly steps to
procure some form of relief. But we do insist
that after having decided upon an attempt to re-
vive this double he ldel monster-notwthstlnd
ing the repei ted condemnation of the American
people, that the measure should have been pre-
pared directly with this object and not hidden in
such grotesque disguise as to bring ridicule upon
our national legislation both at home and abroad.
The Republicans are now in power; and this
tariff is their pet scheme, for which they alone
are responsible. Ii il does not work TO their ut
isfaction, they can not now charge the failure
upon corrupt appraisers, or an incompetent execu-
tive. They have the whole field to themselves,
and we wish them well through the task they
have undertaken. The country will yet call
them to a sharp account for this il-advised and
unjust legislation.
The mss of our fellow citizens have no idel
what an enormous addition this new project will
make 10 their taxes, because its provisions were
bndy drawn expressly to prevent an exact com
parison. Nor can it be fairly told, even after
experiment, because the same values will not be
imported as under the cid tariff many of the rates
being prohbitory. If the imports we're to con-
tinue the same, the increased tax would average
about 33l per cent. but the shutting out of
large portion of the goods saddled with the higher
rates, will reduce this part of the range. Silks
are less advanced than any other prominent arti-
Gle in the list and this will not tend to render
the act more popular. We hazard nothing in
the prediction that this act will be greatly modi-
fed, or else repealed before the world is many
years older.
The New York Herald, of last Friday, has the
following in reference to the workings of the
Northern and Southern tariff systems:
The Montgomery tariff has been framed with
care and skill, upon the model of that which will
expire in the Northern States, on the LIST of April
next. The rates of duty it imposes upon mer-
chandise are reasonable, and comparatively free
from Objectionable features. The Morrill, tariff,
on the contrary, is monstrous conglomeration
of absurdities, concocted for the benefit of Penn
sylvania, the manufacturing districts of New
| England, and New jersey. 1t can never be en-
/ forced, but will involve endless litigation, and
eventually be of benefit to no one, excepting law
yers in our federal courts. Its intent was to
double the rates of duty hitherto imposed, and
thereby, TO increase the revenue and the patron
age of Republican administration. Its authors
may be necessitated to provide means that do not
now exist for carrying out its provisions; but in
the pecuniary advantages hoped for, they will be
disappointed. Even were there no extraneous
difficulties the incongruties and contradictions
OF tive tariff would render its operation ineffec-
tua, and call its for rereal before any great lapse
of time. The fact is however, that the superior
advantages offered to commerce by the South
AMI the certainty that foreign goods can be trans
mitted. by rivers and railroad, to any part OF the
North, mt the lower rates OF duty in the Mont
g0mery tariff, will necessarily divert importation:
from New York, Pennsylvania and MaSsachu
sets to South Carolina, Louisiana and Alabama
. and q blow will thus be struck ut the local pros
perity of the former States, the effects of which
is is impossible accurately to calculate.
: 1t has been over and over again demonstrated
! that every effort of the Washington government
to prevent the free iHgres - of merchandise int
the Southern ports must prove abOrtye. Tn
unitei navies OF England and France coulC
scarcely guard such immense line of coast
E Were our small maritime force to attempt TO col
lect the revenue, at any particular point, instan
resistance might be looked for from both Englan,
and France, neither of which powers will permi
n their trade to be interiered with, on account O
e our interstate squabbies. in all probability. tn
q independence OF the Southern Confederacy vii
have been recognized by all of the Europea
u courts. before the middle of this year; and it i
: more than probable that such recognition will b
e succeeded by commercial treaties, that of the n
. selves will Illustrate the insane coercive polio
" which Republican leaders have fattered them
selves they could with impunity carry out. Wha
Il will then become of the North Where will th
importers OF the central States be. and what
: be the fate OF our manufacturers No calcula
ton can be made of the prOdigious and astin
n damage which their interests will receive an
m the evil will be without remedy as our South
: ern brethren possess abundant shrewdness to re
tain the vantage ground they will have secure.
Neither can any system of border inspection, shr
goods out from the Northern States that hav
3 been once brought into the South and. thus, t
~ new Confederacy will practically collect duties f
. the whole Union.
q 1t is no wonder that the conservative mass,
III of the people look with indignation upon Ii
p course that Mr.. Lincoln and his Cabinet are OH
suing. And the time is not tar distant when ii
- North will hold them to bitter responsibility t,
Mt the shameful imbecity and fanaticsm with whic
Sc they are betraying the interests OF the country
" The special Washington dispatches to the Cii
r. cinnati Gazette of yesterday, contains the 70
ID lowing comments in reference to the diffcult
T. in the new taaiiF:
Difficulties seem to arise in unlock ed for way
e. The new tariff act, passed by Congress, al
which goes into operation on April / is full of il
congruities, causing the Treasury ID apartment
en- vast amount of trouble, and seriously promisiI
of to lower instead of raising the revenue As,
of from this, the low tariff of the Southern COME
eracy will soon invite to Southern ports that Z
'e ropeln trade which now passes through Ne
NC Ork, Boston, BALTIMORE, anu fhlladelphla. III
& revenue act of the Confederate States is now
- force, this Government having received oliici
information to that effect. Experienced men
ne innate the amount of revenue under it to
Id $4,000 per day. At this rate it will take but
he short time to rlise two millions of dollars viii
!. is really just so much taken from the Unit
States treasury.
al Should foreign powers recognize the de tat
re Government in the Confederate States, they W
turn commerce into the low revenue channe
and in any event, recognition or not, V;
70 amount of this trade under the restraints of {
py protective tariff of the North. viii seek Southe
- ports.