The Washington herald., 1909-03-16

Although the State OF Rhode Island was
forced 10 ratify the Constitution OF the
United States by the threat that it would
be dealt with as foreign territory. that
State was perhaps the most immediate
cause OF the existence OF that document
The year 17a found the nation embar-
raised with debt, and without even the
means 10 meet important charges. In
this predicament the Continental Con
gress asked permission OF the States 20
levy tarin OF per cent on imports,
with the understanding that the proceeds
should be used only for the purpose OF
loUidating the debt and that when this
was paid or the duty should cease. All
the States agreed 10 this except Georgia
and Rhode Island. Georgia finally yield
ed 10 the national demand, but Rhode Isl
and stood pat. and the Confederation
could take no action without the unani-
nous consent OF the States that we're
parties 10 L.
Two years went BY without any further
action Then the same request was made
in a modified form. Rhode Island was
then intensely Jealous OF her rights as a
something because OF her smallness-so
the proposition was made thai. out OF
difference 70 the States'-rights views. the
States themselves could nominate the
officers 10 collect the revenue. This tine
New York proved the stumbling block.
During the existence Of the Confedera-
ton each State had its own tariff laws.
and they were ss often Ieveled against
other States as against foreign countries.
New Jersey alone held out for open and
unrestricted free trade with the world.
New York had already become the me
tropOlls OF the nation. and a large pro-
portion OF the foreign goods were landed
there. Massachusetts ana 0Jner colonies
were opposed 20 seeing New York grow
INK rich out Of tariffs on goods that were
intended for them. so they proceeded 90
levy a tariff against everything that
came from New York. Il was the same
elsewhere. Even New Jerseys Offer OF
free trade did not suffice 20 attract the
foreign trade away from New York, and
consequently petty jealoUsies sprang UP
between the States
These conditions made the embryo na-
ton the laughing stock Of the whole
world. When John Adams and other
diplomats wanted 20 MAKE Eealles Win
other nations they were met with scarce
ly concealed amusement They were tod
that a nation that had not the power 20
levy a ; per cent duty for the purpose OF
paying its debts. could hardly represent
itself as being able 10 carry out treaty
stipulations with respect 10 trade Eng
land haughtily bOasted that while she
lost political control of the colonies, she
was more fully IN command OF their trade
status than ever before.
Then the colonies began 10 make threats
Of retaliation. Il the world did not meet
them II proper spirit they would retail
ate in kind But the foreign nations
thought they were as !npotent in their
threats Of retaliation as they had been in
their efforts 70 pay the interest on the
national debt Some foreign statesmen
said Of them that they were possessed OF
the means Of contracting debts. but not
OF settling them: Of raising fleets and az
mics, but not OF paying for them; OF max
ing treaties, but not OF enforcing compli-
ance with them. IN other words. they
were a law without a penalty.
In this situation II became important