State of the Union Addresses (1790-2008)United States. Presidents
History
State of the Union Addresses (1790-2008)
United States. Presidents
Presidents -- United States -- Messages; United States -- Politics and government -- Sources
A considerable increase of domestic manufactures, by diminishing the
importation of foreign, will probably tend to lessen the amount of the
public revenue. As, however, a large proportion of the revenue which is
derived from duties is raised from other articles than manufactures, the
demand for which will increase with our population, it is believed that
a fund will still be raised from that source adequate to the greater
part of the public expenditures, especially as those expenditures,
should we continue to be blessed with peace, will be diminished by the
completion of the fortifications, dock yards, and other public works, by
the augmentation of the Navy to the point to which it is proposed to
carry it, and by the payment of the public debt, including pensions for
military services.
It can not be doubted that the more complete our internal resources and
the less dependent we are on foreign powers for every national as well
as domestic purpose the greater and more stable will be the public
felicity. By the increase of domestic manufactures will the demand for
the rude materials at home be increased, and thus will the dependence of
the several parts of our Union on each other and the strength of the
Union itself be proportionably augmented.
In this process, which is very desirable, and inevitable under the
existing duties, the resources which obviously present themselves to
supply a deficiency in the revenue, should it occur, are the interests
which may derive the principal benefit from the change. If domestic
manufactures are raised by duties on foreign, the deficiency in the fund
necessary for public purposes should be supplied by duties on the
former.
At the last session it seemed doubtful whether the revenue derived from
the present sources would be adequate to all the great purposes of our
Union, including the construction of our fortifications, the
augmentation of the Navy, and the protection of our commerce against the
dangers to which it is exposed. Had the deficiency been such as to
subject us to the necessity either to abandon those measures of defense
or to resort to the other means for adequate funds, the course presented
to the adoption of a virtuous and enlightened people appeared to be a
plain one. It must be gratifying to all to know that this necessity does
not exist. Nothing, however, in contemplation of such important objects,
which can be easily provided for, should be left to hazard. It is
thought that the revenue may receive an augmentation from the existing
sources, and in a manner to aid our manufactures, without hastening
prematurely the result which has been suggested. It is believed that a
moderate additional duty on certain articles would have that effect,
without being liable to any serious objection.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account