Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-01-19
WEBSTER ON THE TARIFF.
A Letter Recently Discovered Among
Commodore Stockton's Papers.

A Letter Recently Discovered Among
Commodore Stockton's Papers.
The following letter from Daniel Webster
to Commodore Stockton was recently found
among the private papers of the latter by
his son and is now first made public:
Boston, August 25 1881.
Ny Dear Sir: Although it is true we have had
little communications, recently, on political
subjects, yet it gave me pleasure to receive your
letter of the 18th inst II we have lately dif-
fered, in opinion, about men or measures, our
general object. am sure, has been the same,
and we both equally desire to promote the
honor and prosperity of the country. You ap-
pear to think it desirable that / should get
back TO what you denominate my free-trade
notions OF 1924. The difficulty my dear sir
on that subject consists, not in my position
but in the position of the country. How can
the country go back to 1922 ! find not much
to alter in the opinions / then expressed
Under similar circumstances, ] should again
pursue substantially the same course. But
every rejecting man must admit that on sub
iects of that kind time, andthe existing state of
things are main elements TO be considered in
forming practical opinions. l was content with
the state of the law before 1924, and opposed the
change. But declared at the same time, that
fthe change did take place, would oppose
another alteration-a backward movement, if
such should be proposed Our country, my dear
sir, can bear many things, but ii cannot bear,
think, frequent and violent changes in that
bread of vast portion of the community.
II is not my purpose, however, 10 discuss these
matters. ! have no doubt tie tariff laws might
be amended, if there existed q proper spirit SO
as to remove much of the existing dissatisfaction
with prejudice to any interest The great him
deranee to this is that the friends Of the tariff
cannot modify and amend their own measures.
They are afraid TO touch it, lest those who are
enemies of the whole system should seize the
occasion to destroy il all.
You ailude to the subject of the judiciary I
am not aware that on that subject, my senti-
ments have at any time undergone change. /
hold the judiciary to be all important to the
Government and to the country, and will add
that think it has many enemies and is in dan
ger
Internal improvement is no doubt, a delicate
subjecs, and one which requires more than Or
dinarily prudent management Yet do not see
the danger which others perceive from this
quarter. There seems 20 me nothing in the past
which need alarm us for the future. The main
works to which the United States have con-
tribued are the Chesapeake and Delaware
Canal, the Delaware Breakwater the Portland
Canal, and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
These are works of admitted utility and of
national Importance. 1t might sometimes hap
pen that mere local object might receive pub
lie aid; but an instance or two of that kind, il
they should occur, would not, / think, pro-
perry urged against the whole.
would not wish TO withhold from YOU my
dear sir, the expression of my conviction that
the country is in crisis of some danger. But l
am not vain enough to hope that can be the
means of averting that danger, whatever it may
be. profess to have no claim beyond what be-
longs to an unaffected love of country and a
Jealous attachment to its Constitution ard Gov
eminent; for the support and maintenance of
that Constitution l would DO anything and
everything within the compass of my ability in
the discharge of my duty as good citizen.
What you hint at arises, suspect, more from
your kind feelings than your deliberate judg-
ment l thank you for your friendly sentiments,
and, in all events, shall be happy to cherish
mutual regard. l had very great pleasure in
meeting with your mother and sister at the
Springs. Yours, with much respect,
DAN'L WEBSTER.
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