The main result of these misconceptions was a steady and rapid growth of strength throughout the slave States in the movement for Secession.
ENACTMENT OF THE MORRILL TARIFF.
Fruitless and disappointing as were the proceedings of this session of Congress on the subjects which engrossed so large a share of public attention, a most important change was accomplished in the revenue laws,--a change equivalent to a revolution in the economic and financial system of the government.

The withdrawal of the Southern senators and representatives left both branches of Congress under the control of the North, and by a considerable majority under the direction of the Republican party.

In the preceding session of Congress the House, having a small Republican majority, had passed a bill advancing the rate of duties upon foreign importations.

This action was not taken as an avowed movement for protection, but merely as a measure to increase the revenue.
During Mr.Buchanan's entire term the receipts of the Treasury had been inadequate to the payment of the annual appropriations by Congress, and as a result the government had been steadily incurring debt at a rate which was afterwards found to affect the public credit at a critical juncture in our history.

To check this increasing deficit the House insisted on a scale of duties that would yield a larger revenue, and on the 10th of May, 1860, passed the bill.