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of men without principle. It is the article impaired in usefulness, 

 or combined with effete and even noxious agents, that is complained 

 of; and merely to raise the duty, would be compounding with vil- 

 lainy. To avoid both, the committee recommend the latter sugges- 

 tion referred to, as the only effective means of riddance. The party 

 complaining has a remedy in a careful analysis, and if he be an 

 American importer, and has been imposed upon, he will not be liable 

 for the price stipulated. We have a precedent for this recommend- 

 ation in the tariff act of 1842, section 10, continued and in force 

 in the act of '46. That section declares " all indecent and immoral 

 books and pictures as subject to confiscation and destruction," and 

 many instances have occurred, under that act, of a faithful compli- 

 ance with its provision. The paternal supervision of all good go- 

 vernments is not only needed to protect the morals of the people, 

 but is justly demanded in all that pertains to their health and phy- 

 sical wellbeing. 



A suggestion against the bill is, that it interferes with trade, and 

 restricts commerce; and that all men should be allowed to purchase 

 what either comports with their tastes or interests, without restric- 

 tion. The most zealous advocate of these doctrines admit they are 

 but general rules, and to them there are obvious exceptions. We 

 deem that articles used as medicine come under the exception. It 

 would matter but little if the cloth bought from a French manufac- 

 turer should lose its gloss, and prove defective in texture ; or whether 

 the wine or brandy, of some favourite brand, should leave its friend 

 and devotee with a headache. The coat may be replaced by one of 

 home manufacture, if not so beautiful at first, yet more durable; 

 and the consequences of a debauch on fraudulent wine can be re- 

 medied by eschewing all wines. But a mistake in the strength and 

 purity of a confessedly valuable medicine, may be followed by con- 

 sequences at which humanity may mourn, but its tenderest sympa- 

 thies are lost on the sufferer. 



The prayer of the petitioners is, that they may be protected from 

 noxious agents, in the shape and under the name of medicine. 

 And we deem there are but two parties in this issue ; the people, 

 every man, woman, and child, on the one side, and the foreign fab- 

 ricator, or dishonest importer on the other. The laws punish the 

 use of the dagger, yet nothing protects community from violence 

 not less fatal, but better concealed under the popular name of trade. 

 If a man write another's name, or pass a counterfeit bill, the 

 prison is his doom ; if he stop the mail on the highway, and thereby 



