Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-04-17

which we are rendered unable by sud-
den and unexpected change in our con-
dition /? The ordinary expenses of the
government ought to be met by the re-
ceip,s of each year, but for permanent
and necessary works of national defence,
| think, under such circumstances, our
means may be fairly and wisely antici-
pated.
The question of domestic manuiac-
lures was again agitated,. though not
acted upon. In relation to that subject
my views have not changed since the last
session. ! still consider it of vita i'm
portance to any government, and more
especially to ours, to fabricate within It's
own jurisdiction, at least those articles,
which are indisb ensably necessary to the
comfort and convenience of its citizens,
as well as those which are necessary for
its defence and protection as nation.
To this point l think our manufactures
should arrive, as necessary to our indie
pendence. But greatly beyond this do
l think it our interest to protect the inr
dustry of our own country. Without a
market either at home or abroad, what is
the present condition of our country? Ia
the western and middle states, wretched-
ness, unalleviated by prospect of bet
ter times, is haunting all ranks and con-
ditions-and yet within themselves they
have the means of the happiest prospect.
ty. A salubrious climate, rich and
luxuriant soil, bountifully supplied with
rivers and lakes, as facilities to com-
merce-rich in the raw materials for al.
most every description of manufacture,
and yet for the want Of proper pro,ec~
ton to the capital necessary to be en-
ployed il, giving form and usefulness to
those materials, they lie, representing
nothing but the tardiness and impolicy
of the national government. Our shops
are filled with the products of foreign
labor-our vaults drained Ivy foreign
merchants-our courts filled With the
causes of foreign plaintiffs or their
agents-our citizens at home taking re
fuge from unrewarded labor and the
pressure of debt, in the haunts of dissipa-
ton, and remorselcss speculation. This
is the unenibellished condition Of many
parts of the country. The people must
have relief, and that can only be obtain
ed by the creation of market at home,
by instituting those divisions of labor
which SO vas, and populous a country
requires, and to withdraw from foreign
labor, that stimulus which should be felt
at home.
Again Mr.. Clay brought forward the
subject of recognizing the independence
of the provinces of South America. He
first proposed to make an appropriation
TO pay the outfit and salary OF minister
to be sent to such of the provinces as the
President and Senate might think pro-
per. From the armstice entered into
between Bolivar and Moriilo, for the
purpose of endeayoiing to terminate the
revolution, and believing that Spain
might probably be forced to recognize
their Independence as the basis OF the
peace, ! saw no objection to voting the
money, and thereby to enable the pres;-
dent to send minister so soon as he
might think proper. This proposlion
however was elected. 1t was again
brought forward by a resolution, pledg-
ing the constitutional aid Of the house in
supporting the President in such inea-
sures as he might take for the recogni-
tion of their independence. After re-
iusing to appropriate the money neces-
sary TO pay minister, which | thought
the least Objectionable shape in " hich
the subject could be presented, and at the
same time the best earnest we conld
give of our friendly disposition, and Of
our willingness to support the President,
l thought it both undigni6ed and mex
pedient to pass the resolution: there
fore voted against it. No American has
a stronger sympathy for, nor moro anx.
iously desires the success of, the revolu-
tionary patriots Of that country than my
self Those feelings however would be
equally awakened in behalf OF any peo-
pie struggling in the cause of liberty
But 10 the success Of such struggles, I
do not believe it necessary to jeopardizc
the peace of the United States; Oh the
contrary | believe we must have more
influence in promoting the cause oil civu
and religious Iie.rty, by presenting to the
world pacific and happy administration
OF our own concerns, than by engaging
in any struggle whatsoever. As religion
wins its votares by the mildness and
felicity of its followers; so will the pro-
gress Of human liberty be Advanced BY
the happy examples of those in its en-
jcyment. Our course, therefore, itsccm-
ed to me, was neutral one, stimulating
by the happy and prosperous administrs-
ton OF our own government, the keohie