The Presidential Campaign of 1860: Mostly about Tariffs versus Free Trade rather than Slavery

 

My G, G Grandfather - Tariff Must Be Reduced

Mr.Pippen adverted to the importance of the present election - important in many respects, but chiefly in respect to the Tariff and Texas. The Tariff  must be reduced; it was grinding the South to powder. The northern manufacturers were declaring dividends of 25 and 30 per cent per annum, while the poor farmer at the South could scarcely "make both ends meet." The Tariff must be reduced - it made the rich richer and the poor poorer. (1845)

 23. Quotes 

            "Tarif "

When the Saracens and Moors, in the 8th century invaded and devastated the rich and beautiful provinces of Spain, they were commanded by a general whose name wasTarif  who had but one eye (See Anquetil's Universal History) - Our Tariff must be a descendant of this infamous destroyer, and inherits his defect of having but one eye, as it can see but one interest, and in one direction."
(I found the above quote on microfilm at the Tarboro Library, but I either failed to write down the source, or there was none. Also, I failed to write down the date, but remember that it was well before the War, 1823/1833 sticks in my mind. BT)

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The photo accompanying last week’s article was an 1860 Republican poster urging voters to vote straight Republican the next Tuesday, November 2 [1860]. In the top third of the poster were these words:

$  IN YOUR POCKET  $

Protect Your Job—Your Farm—Your Business

The Only Issue Before the Voters is The PROTECTIVE TARIFF

 

Please note carefully that the poster says:

“The Only Issue Before the Voters is The Protective Tariff.”There was nothing on the poster touching any issues with slavery. As stated by Lincoln and the Republican Platform of 1860, the Republican objective regarding slavery was only to limit its geographic expansion to states that already permitted it. 

The Protective Tariff here refers to the Morrill Tariff introduced in the U.S. House in 1858 and finally passed by the House on May 10, 1860. Only one Southern Congressman of 40 voted for it.

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