American Republican And Baltimore Daily Clipper

THE TARIFF.

As the session of Congress approaches increased interest is felt in regard to the measures which will be recommended by the President, particularly in relation to the tariff. Much has been said and published about "a judicious tariff," "a revenue tariff," &c., but these terms are too vague to give an accurate idea of the reduction contemplated. The official organ has furnished something more definite, though not more acceptable. It declares "20 per cent. ad valorem as the revenue system of the President:" and we are therefore to understand that this rate of duty will be proposed in the message, and enforced by the Secretary of the Treasury—and the question arises, will Congress accede to the proposition?

This was the minimum duty under the Compromise Act, and we all recollect how completely and entirely it prostrated the industrial interests of the country, and the universal cry of discontent which it produced. Petitions by the thousands were sent to Congress in favor of an increased tariff, and the act now in existence was the result. It can hardly be supposed that the people would be less impatient under the proposed reduction at the present moment, especially as they are in the enjoyment of that revival of business and encouragement in industry, which the present tariff has produced.

It is evident that a great struggle is to take place in Congress, between the protectionists on one side and the free-trade members on the other—and we have no doubt of the entire success of the former. The evils of the low tariff were so severely felt, and the benefits derived from an increased tariff have been so great, that the people will not readily submit to have the former destructive condition of things restored. Of this their representatives must be fully aware, and hence they will be careful not to give a vote, which would not only injure their constituents, but prove ruinous to their own popularity. No party discipline can bring members to "toe the mark," where certain destruction to their own interests, as well as to those of the people, is to follow; and we therefore confidently anticipate, that, should the President and Secretary of the Treasury both recommend a 20 per cent. ad valorem tariff, it will receive its quietus in the House of Representatives.

Assuming that the President will make the recommendation mentioned, the Washington correspondent of the New York Herald, asks: "And what will be the result? It will be laid on the table in the House by a vote of two-thirds—it will fall as still-born under the ayes and noes as John Tyler's Exchequer.— Nothing under Gen. McKay's bill can pass, and even that, though so framed in its impositions upon cold iron, as to conciliate if possible, the democrats of Pennsylvania, failed in that conciliation. They voted, Ingersoll, Biddle, and all, to lay out the bill upon the table, without any lamentation over its corpse. But on the night the bill died the death, there was something of an Irish wake among certain democrats over the event; but there were no tears. Weathersfield onions would not have wrung them out of the eyes of Charles Jared Ingersoll on that night. And if the President intends the bold Jacksonian movement of a 20 per cent. horizontaller, he will fall through swifter. Persisting in it he has not the personal popularity to withstand the shock of the opposition that will be arrayed against him. That opposition will be more extended than was the combination against Gen. Jackson in his war upon the bank—more numerous, more formidable. The suddenness of the transition from the 20, 30, 50, 77, 120, 150 and 200 per centum of the present tariff down to the dead procrustean level of 20 per cent. on everything—silks, cottons, iron, salt, and what not, is a movement too bold for the concurrence of Congress—involving too much present danger."

The President stands pledged to move in this matter; and, as he is not to be a candidate for a second term, he may care little for popularity. Should he urge the measure, we believe, with the correspondent of the Herald, that it will be defeated by a large majority in the house. We desire to see some decisive action upon this subject, that the public mind may cease to be agitated, and the policy of the country be regarded as permanently settled. Instability in legislation is destructive of all interests, and we therefore hope that the question whether domestic industry shall be protected and encouraged, will be at once and forever settled.