I have began to realize the same was likely true back in 1861.
At least so far as the Union was concerned.
Lincoln led the first 'fundamental transformation' of America. 0bama is continuing the Lincoln traditions of unconstitutional offenses and radical transformation. And now, another Illinois senator and criminal element is vying for the same position.
It would appear that the biggest problem America has is senators from Illinois.
Perhaps the following excerpts from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle newspaper of February 5, 1861 will help explain the system:
The Warehousing System and the New Tariff Bill
The Morrill Tariff Bill, to which we referred yesterday, with one blow destroys the present warehousing system, which allows foreign goods to remain on bond for three years from the period of importation, during which time they may be withdrawn for export to foreign countries, or for home consumption.
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This new bill as passed by the lower House proposes to compel payment of duty within 30 days of arrival if for consumption, and if their duties are not thus paid, the law compels their export out of the country, Under the Revenue laws so far back as 1790 merchants had nine months to pay their duties, before the creation of the warehouse system. We had supposed the world was moving forward, but this tariff bill indicates that our part of it is tending backward. While the commercial countries of Europe are extending and liberalizing the laws governing trade and commerce, our Legislatures are contracting them.
This bill especially affects New York. Under the provisions of the warehouse law, with its facilities for trade, shipping and monied interest has centered here. New York has become to the New World what London is to Europe â a great commercial centre, where vessels bring the produce of foreign nations and from whence they may be re-laden without payment of duties, in assorted cargoes and sail for any part of the world. Under the provisions of the present law a very large export trade is done with Mexico, South American provinces and the Canadas. There is also a very large transport trade from New York to the interior and sea board ports of our own country. This new law will alike affect the interests of the ship-owners, the bankers, the merchants and the capitalists.
It materially interferes with the interests of this city of Brooklyn, Upon our water front there are now built large and commodious warehouses for the storage of the heavier classes of merchandise; they were erected by our capitalists for bonded stores upon the supposition that the warehouse system would be a permanency. In New York there are in use 60 stores for bonded goods generally, and 52 cellars for bonded liquor. In this city 48 stores are used as bonded warehouses for general merchandise. These give employment to a large amount of capital and to hundreds of men. Each proprietor of a bonded store pays to the collector one hundred dollars per month for the salary of the officer of the revenue who is appointed by the government as storekeeper. The rent and all other expenses are held in bond at no expense to the government.
---We learn that the Senate Committee propose to extend the time for payment of duties to 2 or 4 months; that will not materially mend the matter, and we have no hope that this proposed amendment will prevail. It is the determination of the Republican party to give the country a protective Tariff that embraces an annihilation of the warehousing system. They have the majority both in the House, where the bill has passed, and also in the Senate, where we have good reason to believe it will obtain votes sufficient to make it a law, notwithstanding the protestations of our merchants both Republicans and Democrats.
And a January 25, 1862 article in the New York Times: Link
Nice chart. It becomes apparent who is making out the most...