Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-03-08

on the subject now; he thought the sentiments
of Virginia were known and felt every where
But since it has been brought forward, he hoped
it would be acted on. He was prepared TO ex-
press an opinion. What he had already said he
believed had been misunderstood, and Tor that
reason he was the more anxious that the reso-
lutions should not be postponed; but that he
might have an opportunity OF making himself
more distinctly understood.
Mr.. Page then withdrew his motion.
The first resolution being under consldera-
ton, Mr.. Oh: Johnson moved to strike 1t out
with the view Of substituting another, the prln-
ciple Of which was contained in paper which
he read and which the reader will lind below in
the amendment offered by him to the preamble.
The argument of Mr.. c. he said proved, that
that his mir. J's) opinions and the views he had
submitted were not understood; Tor that argu-
ment was based on the very same grounds with
his own. There were two interpretations 10
the constitution, as to the powers OF the gene
raj government; the one the republican, the 9TH
err The federal interpretation He and Mr.. Clop-
ton did not differ, ne said in their general views.
The resolution, he thought, went too far, or its
words were susceptible Of a meaning which as
serted proposition too broad Ii denied to
Congress the pswer, in imposing taxes,lmposts,
SC. to discriminate among the objects Of taxa
ton in such way as 10 afford protection to
those manufactures, that the general welfare re-
quired to be protected Ifthe resolution meant
this, he could not vote for it. But if the reso-
luton only meant that Congress had no power
TO impose duties solely for the purpose OF pro-
tecting domestic manufactures, then 1t had his
assent; and if put into an Ineligible form he
would vote for it. Mr. Johnson illustrated his
views by various arguments, and reference to
the views Of the republican presidents.
Mr. Dade opposed the motion. He cons-
dered that par, Of the paper read by MIR. J.
and on which tina, gentleman most relied, va
ried very little from the resolution. The other
part of the paper dealt in general doctrines,
which he thought had been sufficiently SET forth
in the report Of SO. 1t was necessary now to
apply those doctrines to particular cases, which
the resolution had done in distinct form.
Mr. Cabell heartily concurred in the doctrines
Of the preamble and resolution, but considered
the first resolution liable 10 the objection MIR.
Johnson had urged, and supported the motion
to strike it out, with the view mentioned. he
read all the parts of the messages OF the three
Presidents, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe,
which related to the tariff, to show that they
had considered that Congress had power, and
they recommended its exercise, in regulating
the commercial tariff of the country, 10 make
such Determinations as should favor those ar
ticles of manufacture most worthy OF encour-
agement.
Mr. Dade called for the ayes and noes. Mr.
Johnson then moved TO recommit the resolu-
tons This motion was opposed by Messrs
Clopton and Allen, on the ground that the reso-
lutions were sufficiently explicit, and required
no amendment. The question was taken by
ayes and noes on Mr.. Johnson's motion and ne
gatived-Ayes, Messrs. Oh. Johnson, Brown,
McCar,y, Page, Fry, Thorn, Sharpe AID Cabel
3. Noes, Messrs. Holt (SpeakerO Johnson
of Chesterfield, Goodwin, Clopton, Allen,
Ruffin, Wyatt, Dade, Morgan, Armistead, Mar
tin, Carter and Jones-ls
The question recurring on the motion to
strike out, Mr. G. Johnson called upon the
friends of the resolution to explain their inter-
probation of it. He again expressed his opin-
ions upon il, and undertook to point out It's am
bguity
MIR. Dade replied. He did not deny the right
of Congress, in imposing duties, to exercise
discrimination, which should tax one article
more and another less; and that there might be
circumstances connected with the general well
fare which would render this discrimination in
favor of particular manufactures justifiable
Mr. Clopton said, that in voting Tor the reso-
luton, he meant to affirm, that Congress had
not the power to impose duties on foreign
goods for the purpose Of encouraging domestic
manufactures.
Mr.. Johnson said that his object was TO a.
mend the resolution so that it should not deny
the power of Congress to make the discrimina-
tions to which Mr. Dade had referred. II his
proposition had been made to the Committee
Of The House Of Delegates, he had no doubt
but that it would have been adopted by them,
and that not an individual of the legislature
would have disagreed to it. If put into this
form, it would have greater moral effect on
Congress and on the community.
Mr. Cabell said he did not mean to avow the
doctrine, that Congress had the power to do
any thing they might deem eXpedient Tor the
general welfare But he meant to say that they
had the power 10 make determinations IN favor
Of particular manufactures. Some OF the mem
bers present thought that the resolution was
SYNONYMOUS with the proposition OF Mr.. John
son. If such diversity Of opinion existed In
that body, would it not exist elsewhere! lie
meant to go the full length that Jefferson and
Madison had gone on the subject and no lar
Their.
The motion to strike out was rejected, ayes
g, noes II Ayes, Messrs Chapman johnson,