Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-03-10
The Southern Congress---zmpsrtans De-
bate On the Tarifs.


There was sn interesting snd important dsbat.
had in the Congress 1t Montgomery on the Isl Ia
slant, on the subject Of revision Of the Tariff.
Mr.. HARRIS, Of Mississippi, offered TIE following
resolution:
Rssogvsd, That tAs COMMITTEES On Finanes Be IN
strueted to enter upon . revision Of the present
tariff as early as practicable, with . view to fhs
gradual reduction Of the rata Of duties and the en-
argeneni Of the free Hat By the exemption Of sneh
dutAole articles IS occasion expense and trouble
In the collection Of duties dispFoportionste 10 u
revenue arising shsrsfrem.
Mr. TOXINS, Of Georgia, opposed the resOlatisn,
and said:
Whether there can be reduction Of duties Or act
and the Government be leff with sufficient funds te
carry on It's operations an mol aoW prepared 70
| state Il very imperfect that We should raise .
large revenue in this the beginning sf orr soitieal
existence. We MUST provide fer sz army and navy
We must be prepared 10 defend our rights and iihsr-
ties, and maintain our satoasl .indspendencs
among the nations Of the esrth. Thsre may Be OBJ
jections 10 the wisdom exhibited In the provisions
or details Of the proposed tariff, but surely II We
expect 20 raise the sums our present neosssstlss
require, 1t ought TO be done In tAaa way snG b.
that tariff.
Mr.. BARSwELL, of South Carolina, did not agree
with Mr.. TooxBs and expressed the opinion thns We
-~~~ M 81 e~h oPCc@1 Ic0uot-uu Uu14tS
imposed by the tariff Of 1857, and JET provide ample
revenues for the necessities Of cur Government
Mr.. MILES, Of South Carolina, said:
am opposed to this tariff law, and ! am daily
receiving letters from experienced and intelligent
merchants and commercial men Of Charleston who
urge grave objections to this tariff. They think =
duty Of 10 or Is per cent viii be sufficient AZ they
expect large increase in the imports, and we viii
be able 70 raise more revenue from moderate
tariff than nv HIGH dukv fv-1aaf hat
duction viii be made zt an early day.
Mr.. WrIHERs. Of South Carolina, thougha that the
Committee on Finance should enter Epon the esnaid-
Grafton Of the reduction of duties and the enlarge
ment of the free list BE proceeded to say:
By generous course on our part towards s0msof
the Governments Of Europe, we shall command tbe
anicable and gracious consideration Of some Of
those prominent powers. How do you expect 70
command this esteem7 King Cotton you say, isyour
power and yet you lay burden on him for his pro-
lection How do yon expect TO gain the good will
Of foreign governmental Do you expect that theo-
~ OF pelicy which, IN its operation, initiates
against the interests Of foreign nations, viii &c
eomplish desirable resultss Sir, you never will
By that course, secure the good viii Of nation II
MamDoR be one Of the gods Of This Vsrld-lfhe
hare hundred Worshippers 10 one for the rue sad
living God-h it be true that nations. like indiyid-
uas, are aciuated By tie principles Il ssfuteFest,
you never can, in that way, secsre their good wiz.
now 90 you expect LDe conlDisaloners you aond 10
Europe are to the gracious eonsidsTasion Of
the powers 70 which they are seat! Give those
powers 10 understand that policy is fixed that
here shall be gradual redustiOn Of duties at tbs
earliest practicable period let them express LeFd
Pamerstoa aud Louis Napoleon that such IL the hxed
policy Of this government and let tksm say to them,
.here is free trade, the olive branch which az
END for peace, and 10 promote our common inter-
asts." believe such will be the natural fruits Of
bis policy. II viii inevitably obtain Tor ~ the IA
Tor Of the powerful governments Of Europe
Mr.. Borcs thought that reduction might Be
made on some duties, and there are some that are
IN the free Isl, such tsa and oose, which Nigh
,e made 10 ysld handsome revenue By tx from
8 to 20 per csnt. he trusted that he committee
viii devote attention 70 The notifications de-
ed.
Mr.. HARRIS, having been informed that The Com
nitee on Finance wsuld report en- ths 4th insaani,
withdrew his resolution til sftsr ihss day.