Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-02-27
DEBATE.
On he Cotton Bagging section inae Tariff Biz
Concluded.

tainly did not suppose that any gentleman from
Kentucky, knowing, as he must necessarily do,
that cotton bagging cannot be supplied from
that state to meet the demand from Louisiana
and the other cotton growing states, would OPP
pose the present amendment. The hon. gcn-
tleman from Kentucky, said Mr.. b. gave nc a
piece OF information, with which. he said, pro-
badly was already aCquainted-that Kentucky
had not only supplied baggin% for the cotton of
Louisiana, hut, during the late war, had stood
behind il to defend Louisiana from inv aston. I
acknowledge, said Mr.. Ii. the truth of what the
gentleman has stated. trust ] feel, with the
people whom represent, a due sense of graft
tude, for the services rendered OH that occasion
and, if the honorable gentleman intended to
claim pecunlary compensation for them, on be-
half OF the citizcHs of Kentucky, and will make
but a statement ofthc account, Louisiana stands
ready promptly to pay it. But it was not true
that Kentucky did furnish, during the war, an
adequate supply of cotton baggmg even for
Louisiana alone. The state of Louisiana con-
sumcs nearly one million ofsquarc yards annu-
ally, but she received, during the war, only a.
bout 100000 yards of it from Kentucky. He
would appeal to the candor of the honorable gen
ueinan, to say, whether, on all occasions, when
me western country was in need of laid, Louisia-
ma had ever been wanting in efforts to advance its
interests. On late occasion, with which gen-
tiemcn were familiar, Louisiana had united in
measures which she believed to be for the inter-
est Ss&he w stern States, although very doubt
fui whether her own interest might not be rather
impaired than promoted by them. All ask of
gentlemen, said Mr.. b. is, that they will do what
is]ust. am not opposed to laying duty on this
article SO soon as Kentucky will let us see that
She can make 1t In quantity sufficient for the
demand; but the nation is not TO be forced
blndfold, into measure, which was calculated
to amount to prohibition of the imported arti-
Gle. AS to what the gentlemen have said about
protecting duty on cotton, they may repeal it
4 as soon as they like. What when we grow
more than twice as much cotton as is wanted for
home consumption, and export it largely every
year, do gentlemen talk to us about n PROTECTING
duty on cotton, to be counteryailed bv the pro-
hibltion OF imported bagging? 1t shews the
same unfalrness, the same want ofcandor that
they have throughout exhibited on this question.
[Mr. ID. was called to order by the Chairman,
for this expression. 1t was within the know
ledge OF gentlemen, that this duty never was in
tended for protection-it was laid when no COT
ton was raised in the United States and il was
laid for revenue solely. The same thing might
be said of the duty on sugar. The cotton of
Louisiana IS now protected by duty of three
cents per pound-two cents and half of this
was mtused while Louisiana was under the
French and Spanish Governments; and the
paitry half cent which has since been added, was
added, not for protection, but revenue. But
SIT, said he, 1t Is vain to urge us such argu-
Tents; Louisiana will not vote on any arrange
ment of compronise-she goes on princlpIe
and unless gentlemen are determined to outrage
all justice, the amendment ought to be adopted
The honorable Chairman of the Committee ON
Manufactures, tells us, that Kentucky can sup
ply the whole demand for cotton bagging. That
may, in the course of time, prove to be true
but, unit. they do supply the demand, the duty
should not be imposed.
Mr. Henry, of Kentucky, rose, in reply to
Nir. Brent He said he had not intended to
take part in this discussion but he felt himself
called upon to step forward, by the frequent re-
petition of q name which must always be dear
to his heart. Tie Stute of kentuchy, as the
land OF his nativity, had the strongest claim upon
ms afecton. However disparagingly she might
be estimated by others, 50 he knew that he loved
her, whatever she was.' He must be permit
ted to say, that the gentleman from Louisiana
lad INDUCED himself IN a course of remarks
which seemed to be characterized by an inyi-
dious spirit, and an improper imputation on mo-
tives.
Here Mr.. Brent rose to explain. The gen.
teInan was mistaken, if he understood him as
ItnputlnS impure or improper motives to the adj
focates of the bill. He had no such Intention
He meant 10 personal reflection on any gen
tleman on this floor, and he wished to be so I'M
derstood.
Mr.. Henry resumed. He believed the gen.
tieman from his soul. His zeal for what he
supposes to be the interest of his constituents
as proposed to be affected, as he conceives by
the bill, had probably hurried him into express
sons OF an unguarded kind, susceptible of a con-
structlon he did not wish them to bear. l. on
the other hand, said Mr.. Fl. am free to confess.
that an In favor of this provision of the bill.
because believe its operations will be highly
beneficial to that section of the country which /
have the honor to represent. | am not ashan.
ell to acknowledge, that this consideration ex-
erts powerful effect on me. Might not i'm.
pute to the gentleman motive eoualIy selfish.
as the ground of his opposition And if | did.
and should substantiate the charge, what would
gain! Nothing The motives which actu-
ate gentlemen are perfectly immaterial to the
question; each member must stand or fall by
the discharge of his duty; and to his constitu-
ents. The foundation of all social love- is self
love. Why does man love his country Be-
cause At Is ms own country. The attachmn t
IS selfish in its origin, but it becomes elevated
and refined as it extends. The much abused
principle OF human action has been finely por-
trayed by a poet and philosopher of the last cen
fury:
Self-lovc just serves the virtuous mind to shake,
rs the small pebble stirs the peaceful lake:
The centre movd, a circle straight succeeds
Another still, and still another spreads;
Wide, and more wide, tn o'erfowing of the mind
Takes evry Creature i'll, of every kind.
Friend, parent neighbor,. first it will embrace;
our country merit; and last, all human race
tits so with all the attachments life. When
we come to aDalyze and trace them, we find
their ultimate source to be self love-