The herald., 1895-11-10
FEDERAL UNION"
Secretary Carlisle on the Rights Of
Trade
Arguing Prom Interstate Commerce to Inter
national Commerce-No Right to Mix the
Regulation Of Commerce With Taxation

Soon after Mr.. Carlisle's election as
speaker Of the house, he was invited to
attend . banquet given bv the Free
Trade club of New York city, ana reply
to the toast The Federal Union. HIS re-
sponse 10 reprinted from the New York
Sun. He said:
"Mr. President and Gentlemen OF the
Club-I should be cold indeed il was not
profoundly grateful for this very friend.
~ reception. 1t is SO much more than
l expeoted, or had any right to expect
that feel myself wholly unabiestoexpress
my ap probation OF it.
II am obliged to you also for the op-
portunity to say few words in response
to the toast just announced, although 1t
would be impossible. under the circum-
stances. to do ANYTHING like justice 10 the
subject. and perhaps shall not conhne
myself very closely to it. Certainly /
snail not attempt to DO more than to
call your attention very briefly to one
Or two OF the most conspicuous advant
ages conferred upon the American people
by the union established in l7S9. The
formation OF that union, peaceably and
fraternally, under constitution, which
made such radical changes in the rela-
tions previously existing between the
several states themselves, and between
them and the general government, was
undoubtedly one of the greatest political
achievements of modern times. 1t is
difficult to ssy which is most entitled t.
orr admiration, the statesmanship OF
the men who framed the constitution or
the patriotism and intelligence OF the
people of the several states who ratified
it and MADE it for them selves anu their
posterity, the supreme law uf tue land.
(Applause.) 1t ID, 1 think, safe to assert
that in no other part of the world could
pOk, e.xs~ <ol nl~, l,Ax knnr,
peaceably made at that time, and perhaps
Renilemen,it it is equally safe to say that
it.could not have been made here twenty
or thirty years later.
''Why and how this uniol was form ed
are historical questions which it would
be supeItluous. and, IL fact, impossible.
to discuss upon this occasion. WHAT BEN
ferred upon US and how its bond shall
be strengthened and perpetuated are
questions which challenge our attention
constantly. The old confederation pos
essed no means OF sustaining itself. In
fact,i was but skeleton Of govern.
mont. 1t had no power to impose taxes,
TO regulate commerce, or to administer
justice. 1t had but one of the essential
departments OF u real government, the
legislative, and even that was detective,
and almost inpotent. Each state had the
right to levy imposts and duties, subject
ouly to the condition that IT should not
interfere with treaties entered into by
the United States in congress assembled
with foreign kings, princes or states.
There was no limitation whatever upon
the power OF any state to impose duties
upon the products of another American
state brought within its limits for sale
or consumption. for the purpose of raising
revenue or for the purpose of
protecting aud encouraging its
own domestic manufactures. The
state of New \ ork bad full powe, to i'm
pose any rate of duty Its authorities
might shlnk proper TO establish upon the
products OF New Jersey brought here in
search Of market. New Jersey pos
sessed the eame power in respect to the
products of New York.
''lf the doctrine Of protection Is what
Its friends claim; ii its application to in
fant industries IN new states enables
them to overcome natural disa0van ages
and secure a higher degree OF property
than would otherwise be a:tainable, it
existing under the confederation was a
wise one, AMI ought never to have been
disturbed by the formation of the federal
union. But, gentlemen, the trainers OF
the constitution, the men who founded
this federal union, did not think the con-
federation was the best system. They be-
lleged that absolute free trade between
the several states was imperatively de-
manded by the interests Of the people.
Accordingly they adopted this provision
as part of .he constitution without a
single dissenting voice:
No state shall, without the consent
of congress, lay any mposts or duties on
ports or exports, except what may be
absolutely necessary for executing its in.
spection laws, and the net proceeds of all
duties and I'M ports levied by any state on
imports or exports shall be for the use OF
the treasury OF the U nited States. and all
such laws. shall he subject to revision and
| control of congress.
at is true that Mr.. George Clymer OF
Pennsylvania said while this subject was
under consideration that If the states
hav. such different interest. that eacn
cannot be left to regulate Its own manu-
lactures without encountering the inter-
ests OF the other states, 1t Is proof that
they are not tit to compose one nation.
But he stood substantially alone in his
position, and when the vote was taken
not a sinlge state was recorded against
it. (Apblause.)
"Thus free trade was established by
the constitution, not only between the
states then existing, but between all the
| states that might thereafter exist as
members of the federal union. Gap
plause.) l venture to believe, my friends,
that the most ardent advocate of the pro-
tecuive system will admit that the won
derful growth and prosperity of this
country are attributable largely to tnis
proyisiol of the constitution, more large
ly than to any other ono thing. Gap
| plarse.) With free commercial inter.
| course between the states, our internal
commerce has constantly and rapidly
grown until 1t amounts TO thousands o1
millions of dollars. More than l20, 00C
miles of railroads have been con instructed,
over which almost innumerable trains
are constantly passing. carrying manufac'
lures and other articles of commerce
from state to state, while the great water.
ways are crowded with steamers and
! barges and other craft laden with the
products of every part of the Union. The
markets of New York are as free as the
markets of Philadelphia for the iron anc