The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1896-01-03
The Democracy Of jackson.

We hear great deal through the
democratic press nowadays con-
corning Jacksonian democracy--in-
deed, some democrats still persist in
voting for that staunch old patriot,
Andrew Jackson, for president. 1t
is amusing to see the "Jacksonian"
organs worship Jackson In one col
umn, and in the next rail against the
policy of protection and gravely pro-
nounce a protective tariff contrary to
the federal constitution. Moreover,
such balderdash is by no means con-
fined to democratic papers, but finds
its utterance also i'm the resolutions
and platforms of the democratic con-
ventions. Andrew Jackson was
protectionist as fully as are the lead
ing republicans of to-day. Read
what he said in his message to con-
gress, Dec. Z, 1880:
"Among the numerous causes OF
congratulation, the condition of our
import revenue deserves special men,
ton, inasmuch as it promises the
means of extinguishing the public
debt sooner than was anticipated,
and furnishes strong illustration of
the practical effects of the present
tariff upon our commercial interests.
The object of the tariff is objected
to by some as unconstitutional, and
is considered by almost all as defective
in many of its parts. The power to
impose duties on imports originally
belonged to the states. The right
TO adjust those duties with view to
the encouragement of domestic
branches of industry is so completely
identical with that power that it is
difficult to suppose the existence OF
the one without the other. The states
have delegated their whole author
ity over imports to the general gov
eminent, without limitation or restrc-
tioD, saving the very inconsiderable
reservation relating to their inspec
ton laws. The authority having
thus entirely passed from the states,
the right to exercise it for the pur-
pose of protection does not exist in
them, and consequently, if it be not
possessed by the general govern
ment, it must be extinct. Our poll
tical system would thus present the
anomaly of people stripped of the
right to foster their own industry,
and to counteract the most selfish
and destructive policy which might
be adopted by foreign nations. This
surely cannot be the case; this indis-
pensable power, thus surrendered 10y
the states, must be within the scope
of the authority on the subjuct ex-
pressly delegated to congress. In
this conclusion | am confirmed as
we'll by the opinions OF Presidents
Washington, Jefferson, Madison and
Monroe, who have each repeatedly
recommended the exercise of this
right under the constitution, as by
the uniform practice of congress, the
continued acquiescence of the states
and the general understanding of the
people. )"
So it is seen that sturdy old demo-
crat, Andrew Jackson himself, found
in a protective tariff zone of the
numerous causes of the congratula-
tion," and referred to the 'practical
effects of the tariff upon our CONNER
cial interests"
Not only that, but he thought our
system would present an anomaly, il
under it, it were not lawful to foster
our industries.
The power to levy protective dut-
les was to him an indispensable
power"
Verify the tariff views of the dem
ocracy have deprecated marvelously
from the patriotic conception OF
Andrew Jackson.