Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-04-03

danger that, if we enier upon this co,umIs-
sion, its mission may end in the same con-
ciuSi0n. that the government must own the
Railroads in order to furnish cheap trans
poItation to the people?
United by every feeling Of my. nature,
aud by a political faith derived from the
teachings Of Mr.. Jefferson. to the agricul-
tural interests of the country, aud beliey-
ing that they are the truest and most unset
hSh guardians Of popular liberty and DEM
ocratlc institutions, and recognizing their
complaints TO be just, ], as a friend, en-
treat them to watch closelythe efforts being
made to take control of their wealth and
Their labor by either Of the modes suggest
ed.
Popular liberty is lost when the citizen
becomes a creature of the Government.
Freedom in the person is not consistent
with dependence upon or the guardianship
OF the ruler.
Since these expedients will not do, the
question recurs. in face of admitted abuses
and evils, are there no constitutional and
appropriate remedies. In my opinion there
are; and are
flrst. In this admitted power of Con-
greSs to regulate commerce, not by inter-
fering with the right of the citizen to con-
tract as he may please, but in furnishing by
appropriate fines and penalties all combina-
tons, trade regulations, ordinances, or
rates which interfere with, or obstruct, the
freedom Of commerce, whether adopted by
States, corporations, or individuals.
Secondly. By the improvement of such
rivers and lakes as are national in their
character.
Thirdly. By the direct interference and
control of the States over such charters as
are being abused to the prejudice of the
public welfare. In other words, the exer-
else of the local sovereignty from whom
their powers are derived.
But beyond and superiOrto all these is the
fourth remedy, and that is that the taxes,
which rest upon the labor and productions
Of the country, shall be diminished.
What are these? Nominally they are, for
national, State, and municipal purposes,
about S700,OO0,000; really they are about
S1,000,000,0O0.
Ii is estimated by gentlemen who have
given close attention to the principles and
working of a protective tariff that the con-
Sumers under our existing laws pays nearly
as much into the pockets Of the protected
classes as passes into the public Treasury.
This must be nearly the amount the con-
sumner loses, or rather is taxed, since he
has to pay the bounty exacted by protected
classes, and then the expenses and profits
of the middlemen. Again, l am persuaded
that under the monopoly that exists in the
currency the labOrers and producers Of this
country are taxed in the support Of excess
i've interest, and in the difference that *
lists betweenth currency they sell for and
the currency with which they buy many
millions of dollars.
1t is your m~onopolies in the tariff and in
the currency, added to the expenses of your
national and local governments, that create
the great body of the evils of which the
producers of the country complain. Let
there be reform in your currency, and con
struct your tariff and tax laws alone in the
interest of revenue. Give freedom to COM
merce, retrench the expenses of govern
ment, and the burdens of which the farm
es and laborers of the country complain
will become lighter. Transportation will,
by such assistance as you may legitimately
give it, and left TO the wholesome laws of
individual energy and competition, adapt
itself to the economy Of your legislation,
and become cheap-responsiye to the de
mands Of the people.