Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-03-14

PROJECT OF resistance They prepared for resistance
IT is true, but is resistance 10 jarnr and restless
schemes of ambiton-resstance 10 unhollo,vCl mod;
tation of dsunion. And why. sir would von array NJ
against the General Gov ernuien, Becouso o,, ga,
the tariff law is unconstitutional iniqitous and onnrc;
sive Where did you learn that was unconstitutional
| From the Constitution tself-fron the opinions %
Washington, Hamilton, Franklin, Jefferson and Ma
olson, or from the Richmond Enquirer Do YOU dis
card the PLAIN aud obvious meaning of the Federa
Charter--rhe Interpretation 81 the venerable founders
our bertes-and deduce your lessons from the muddy
sources oil political prejudice and bitterness. Hitherto
IN all tue angry discussions the tariff in and out OF
Congress- ITS unconsttutonalty has been scsi-
ously assorted. One gentleman indeed from VIRGINIA
remarkable for hair splitting distinctions did take that
ground-but 1t was so shocking 10 sense
SO utterly at variance with the plainly defined pow.
ers oil Congress that il scarcely received the dignity OF
reply II you really not gentleman of consi-
derable talent and intelligence, should seriously doubt
whether you ever aentivey perused the Federal Con
SHuton Independent of the express pow err To lay and
collect taxes, duties, mposts and cxcises-a power
winch IS no where Limited in the Constitution, and in
thc exercise vi which the only restraint the wis
dom and discretion of responsible agcns,-vou have
entirely overlooked that clause which confers l.
qualified right TO regulate tci foreign nations
TO use the language of eloquent statesman, eTbe
grant is plenary without any limitation whatever, and
includes the whole power of regulation of which the
subject TO be regulated is susceptible Ii is as full and
complete grant of the power. that is to declare
What Is regulation of commerce. II implies The ad
mission exclusion of the objects of IT, and terms
Under this power articles by the existing laws
are admitted freely, others subjected TO duties So
high to amount 10 their prohibition, and various rates
of duties are applied TO others. Under this power
laws OF total non intercourse with seine nations. and
embargoes producing an entire cessation of commerce
with all foreign countries have been from time time
passed" Under this clause, let tell you further, that
at the very first session of Congress after the adoption
OF the Constitution, the discriminating duties i'm
posed upon foreign tonnage which gave an almost
tire monopoly TO American ship ! refer
you for the great and important consequences Of this
policy, TO tic hourshng marine which once en-
riches and protects the That such has been the
legitimate result, You will probably be convinced when
you read the report OF MIR Loyd the present session
of Congress- particularly when you understand that that
report has received the applause of the Oracle of Nr-
ginia Orthodoxy the Richmond ENQUIRER. Now, sir,
if ii has never been deemed unconstitutional TO exclude
foreign tonnage from our ports, when the object too
was TO foster shipping wherefore is uncCn-
struonal TO exclude foreign manufactures with SINH
lar design Shall other nations exclude our bread
suIs such is the AT this moment with Englandl-
impose enormous duties upon the products of la
5our, have we no power 10 rcaliae: MOnstrous
indeed is the proposition, Humble and poyyerless and
Ptful, would our coalition be- if may be cnaugled
in the web ot European policy without the right or the
means nation OF being eXtrCated. Away then sir,
with your ''impractcabe metarhy sics'--your wire.
drawn sophstry, which If IL passes bevond Tie
confines of Virginia, will excite no other emotion but
pity. pray You and tie formidable majority by which
you sustained to rccollect that of the Icgs-
ature change the Constitution of the hi
ted States, than it change The planetary system
APPLY have your resolutions been called feeble echo
of those of 98-a twg from that ma estic tree. If in
deed, the splendid light which in those times has
been obscured by federal usurpation think YOU that
your twinkng taper viii reiume the political horizon:
Mark sir, my prediction! fragrant puff from the En-
quirer, gale your senses, and io awhile animate
your spirits, nut TIE tIne cr;siorI i'll
point lis slow nmoving finger" this bantlin which
you have iathcrcd upon the commonwealth.
You say that you believe the tariff to have been the
true cause Of the decline of the prosperity of Virginia
You have right TO your opinions but before YOU
can expect others TO adopt them. you should adduce
something like argument in their support. Now sir
contend not only that Virginia is not now declining
bnt at she has been gradually improving in resources
since the adoption Of tle existing tariff Her revenue
is collected with Her people, no longer alIurcd
by the ChcapucSs and abundance of English couls
sqnandcr less in frivolous expenses; they are fast extr
eating themselves from debt and 10y udicious alien
lion TO household manufactures gradually improving
their and their cOuntrys BY the esta
oshmcnt and success OF the cotton manufacturers of
the North ihc grower Of that article in this state is
receiving enhanced price for his labor and in OK
change for the material may procure the domestic
upon cheaper terms than thc imported fabric Area
dy is the domestic demand for wool beginning 10 spread
western forests flocks of sheen and
at distant day under the operation of this really be
neliCial but so much cXecracd policy extensive and
Unnhabed districts of Virginia will be reclaim ed
from state Of nature and devoted to profitable pastu
rage Give leave to say sir, with all my respect
flor your understanding, that yon have not dranl, deep
into the science Of potica! economy. You have been
and cant ofPedagogues in learning and scioss in know
ledge,-and have turned your back upon that light
which never misleads-the light of practical cxper
eHce. defy YOU, sir, any ether man to prove that
manufactures flourished in any nation on earth,
without restriction upon foreign rivalship If You would
read history this subject and read it free from pre-
conceived opinions and prejudice, YOU would YOU must
be convinced You assert, that it is almost mahema
csy certain that 5000, 900 of dollars arc annually
drawn from the State by the operation Of The tariff With
ont any equivalent If you call this assertion mathe.
NAUTICAL proof fear you little yerscd in that sci
ence, sou arc in political economy. again appeal tc
! experience. Was the balance Of trade ever so grea
against Virginia at The period when she was hoodeC
with cheap foreign merchandise? Were not her citi
zens by buying Than they sold involved in deb
which years have not enabled them TO discharge But
sir, will prove bat your calculation is utterly erro
neOus and absurd. The whole revenue derived from
mposts under the tariff does exceed 90 OOO OG
dollars. In the United States, say hat there are il
round numbers 100000 Of population and in Vrgi
MIA 100000 including her black population. vii!
COUCede arpurneuf's sake flint tI,o bar:1- 49,