The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-10
THE TARIFF.
what the Fathers OF Democracy Have Said
About the constitutional Right OF the
Government to Establish Protection.

Government to Establish Protection.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-.Sr: The tariff
plank Of the National Democratic platform OF
1892 reads as follows:
I'VE denounce Republican protection a. fraud upon
the great majority OF the American people for tho
oenent OF tho fow. We declare to be fundame entail
principle Of the Democratic party tina. tho Federal
Government has no constitutional power TO enforce
and collect tarifi duties except for tho purpose Of
revenue only and demand that the collect ton of
such taxes shalt be limited to tho necessities Of tho
Government honestly and economically administered"
The principal part OF this resolution resides
In the declaration that it is fundamental
principle Of the Democratic party that the
Federal Government has no constitutional
power to enforce and collect tariff duties ex-
cept for the purpose OF revenue only. But the
constitutional truth is that the Federal Gov
eminent has constitutional power to enforce
and collect tariff duties for the purpose OF the
protection Of American manufactures. and the
historical fact Is that tho Democratic purity
has never heretofore denied that constitu-
tional power. and has often affirmed 1t, and
has sometimes exercised 1t.
The Constitution provides that Congress
shall have power to regulate commerce with.
foreign nations. The fact that that power was
generally understood. when the Constitution
was framed and was adopted. to include tho
power W enloTce ulu collect tarlH duties lOr
the purpose OF the protection Of American
manufactures is we'll known to all scholars Of
American constitutional history: and is par
ticularly proved by tho fact that the first tariff
act. approved July 4. 1888. expressly declared
the encouragement and protection OF manu-
features" to be one Of its purposes: and by the
fact that fourteen Of those who had been men,
bers Of the Federal Convention which framed
the Constitution were members OF the Con-
gress which passed that tariff law: and by the
fact that James Madison. one OF the fathers Of
the Constitution. and one OF the fathers Of the
Democratic party. was q member of that Con-
gress and voted for that law and advocated it
In a speech on the second day Of the debate
on the express ground that it did so adjust tho
duties on foreign goods as to protect the man
ufnctures OF this country.
ton Until 1915 The poiitiea Hrneples o 81 tie
learned in the Writings Of the National demo- %
leaders we're Presidents, Jefferson. Madison.
great men, on the subject OF the constitutl onal
power Of the Federal Government To enforce
tecting American manufactures. and on the
subject OF the FETncss O" the bbemnocratS
opinion was unanimous. and was In favor Of
the existence of that power. and was in favor
]
fully proved on the evidence OF Andrew Jack
son himself. by the following extract from his
annual message to Congress OF Dec. Z. 1880:
Tho power to impose duties on imports originally
belonged to the several States. The right adJus.
those duties with view to tho encouragement of
domestic branches OF industry Is completely iden.
teal with that power that II Is dicut 10 suppose tho
existence Of the ono without tho other. The States
have delegated their whole authority imports to
the General Government. without Limitation or re-
str linn saving a ON
relating to their inspection laws. This authority
having thus entirsy passed from the States. tho
right to exercise It tor the purpose Of pro.
lection does not exist in them; and. consequently.
IL 1t be not possessed by the General Government
1t must be extinct Our political system would
thus present the anomaly OF the people stripped
right foster their Industry. and counteract
selfish and destructive policy which might
adopted by foreign nations This surely be tho
case this indispensable power. thus surrendered by
the States. must be within the scope and authority on
the subject expressly delegated to Congress In this
conclusion am confirmed as well BY tho opni ms or
Presidents Washington, Jefferson. Madison. and Mon
roe who have each repeatedly reconm-n led the ex.
ercise OF this right under tho Constitution BY the
uniform practice OF Consress the continued acquies
OF the States and the general undss andns OF
tic people.
beginning with 1910. and prior to, 1892
Democratic national platforms We're adopted
at National Democratic Conventions In each
of the thirteen Presidential election years All
Of those platforms. whirh were adopted prior
ton on the subject OF tho tariff and always in
the following language:
"Resorcd, That justice and sound policy
forbid tho Government t. foster Que branch OF
industry 10 the dctrIncnt Ui another.
his Fundamental bsmocra'ic rrncip!s WIS sns
subject of til. tariff which wa7 approved ~
Jefferson, Madison AMI Mpnro"' and was
s sdatS 1I laSks%n IN the n o '0So ''
Tic Demo ratio platform Of IS'i+ made no
nlusion 10 the tariff. and was confined TO the
poitica, issues when were immediately con-
nected with the civil war.
Tho Democratic platform o; 1873 demanded
"a tariff Tor revenue uron foreign imports
Tic Dem ocratir platform OF 1872 RENTED
the decision Of all questions connected with
the ttri.i to Congress without expressing any
opinion on those questions. A..
flrst time in tho history Of tho DomecrptIe
party. demanded tnIiT only for r"vrnus: but
that li4tirrm ana pot lac VA! I"pnnm nrGn
tho Federal Governm cnt t. enforce and collect
tariff duties fol the purpose OF pr -'ecting
AmrricHu manufactures.
Thn, D"morrntir Platform OF 1880 agreed
VITA thn q l7 ,bd iavoFFips t'r nor Ep, 1sxs
ni,out any NIGGA unconsitutonallty Of
'' iihr Democr"iie. platform Of 1,s+ Tecnrred to
Jacks n, and l., the Dcmocrnir platform Of
ls, ~ tn STn;.cl Of ar npd I irn i1n.
al II can aud must bc aiiectc " tho"i denriv-
Ing American .nnor of the Al i.Ily to compete
successfully with foreign laD"r and without
inposing lower r"t"s OF duty tIIdn Will he am
u rtO cover ans Increased - 81 PRODUCTION
which may exit in cnrsoqu t'rr Of the higher
rnle Of wages prevail ing In tn, rnnntry'
The Democratic platform q sSS expressly
reatllrmed the plat orm Of 1881. and added
thereto tho s.at''prut TINT: "DHr "stah lishel
domestic industries and cnteu,riscs should
ton and correction Of the burdens % taxation.
On tho contrary. u '.r and o.l revision OF
our 'aN laws WITH due allowaIr" Tor the diff
ference between thu wages ~ American and
foreign lnD"r. must Iromo'" and encourage
every branch Of such industries and enter-
prises nv giving them assurance Of an extend
ed market and steady and continuous opera
tons
We are row o" now and extreme ground.
HAHrFoHp. Conn. June "a. A. II.
Our correspondents letter is well reason
ed and his facts are accurately given.