The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-05
THE TARIFF QUESTION
And the ri.tforu. er.he cAieaxo convoat,o-

From a. Pos. Express.
The slowness OF the party papers In grasp
ing the full meaning OF the new departure
taken by the Chicago Convention. in regard to
the tariff question. shows what little true in
sight there has been in the vast discussion OF
the last four years.
Tho Post Express lost no time In pointing
out tho falsehood OF the declaration that It
Is a fundamental principle OF the Democratic
party that the Federal Government has no
constitutional power to impose or collect
tariff duties except for the purpose OF
revenue only" That Is the doctrine set
forth in the ordinance OF notification passed
at Columbia. 8. c.. in 1892 and after
ward embodied in the provisions of tho
Confederate Constitution adopted at Mont
gomery. Ala. in 1851; but 1t was never doc
with q general Drift toward a free trade policy.
i to Ha' oOnsS
There ia a disposition In some quarters to
nmiSGIe over The plain language Of the Chicago
Ss 81 and that It does not deny
duties for revenue that will serve the purposes
O. protection. but does deny the right to levy
lection. The distinction is puerile and insin-
csre. and Il is idle to talk Of making con stitu-
ti9nality depend on motive.
posed OF this rlea long ago. Let us quote one:
A, Andrew jackson con sidered the constitu;
tionality OF protection in his second annual
message. bearing date Dec. z. 1890. He said
Among the numerous causes OF congratuiation tho
condition OF our impost deserves special
tion nasmuch a. 1t promises tho of sxtnguish
ing the public debt sooner than ipatod and
furnishes strong illustration of the practical effects
of the present tarir upon srclal interests
The object or the tar is objected to by un.
constitutional and 1t is considered by almost de-
fectivo In many Of Its parts.
The power to impose duties on imports originally
belonged to the several States The right to adjust
those duties with view to the encouragement OF do
nestle branches of industry is completely Identical
with that power that 1t Ia dcut to suppose the
snce of the one without the other The States have dele
gated their authority over imports to the general Gov
eminent without limitation or restriction. saving the
very uncomfortable reservation relating to their in
spectisn laws. This authority having entirely passed
from the States the right to exercise It for the purpose
ofprotection does not exist in them and consequently
II 1t be not possessed by tho general Government 1t
must DO extinct Our political system would thus pre-.
sent tho anomaly OF people stripped OF the right to
foster their industry and to counterac the
selfish and destructive policy which might be adopted
by foreign nations. This surely cannot be tho case:
this Indispensable power. thus surrendered by the
States must DO within tho scope of the authority tho
subject expressly delegated to Congress.
In this conclusion am confirmed we'll by tho
opinions OF Presidents Warrington Jefferson. Madison
Anu MONROE VINO nave ehcn repeatedly recommended
tho exercise of this right under the Constitution by
the uniform practc, of Congress. tho continued &C.
uiescence Of the States and tho general understand
ing Of the people.
This argument OF Andrew Jackson leaves
those Democrats who, are trying to explain
away. to palliate. or to defend the declaration
OF the Chicago Convention. without subter-
fuge behind which to hide.
Tho Democracy must demand at once a tariff
without any element Of protection whatso-
eyer n 1t; not simply because FREQ trade tar
III is constitutional. or 1t must abandon the
tariff issue altogether; or it must call new
make new declaration Of principles. and
nominate now candidates.
Tho first course would violate party tradi-
ton and take issue with the accomplished
facts Of history as we'll as with decision Of
the Supreme Court: the third would be too
the second seems the only feasible course.