In short, by this system the burden of revenue falls almost entirely on the wealthy and luxurious few, while the substantial and labouring many, who live at home and upon home products, go entirely free.
Concluding a discussion on economic policy, Lincoln summarizes that a tariff system primarily taxes the wealthy and those consuming foreign luxuries, sparing the working class.
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More from Abraham Lincoln
Unlike a case of war between independent nations, there is no organized organ for us to treat with,--no one man has authority to give up the rebellion for any other man.
With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds.
I have always thought that all men should be free; but if any should be slaves, it should be first those who desire it for themselves, and secondly those who desire it for others.
Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish.
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