Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-10-31
VIA GINIA LEGISLATURE.
From The 9 oon.litutlonaI Whig.p


DEBATE on THE STATE RESOLUTIONS
IN the Senate Of "a, Friday .jiarch g. 1926
Extr=r, from the remarks made 10y JOSEPH G..
CAbELL, in The debate in The Senate, on the
2nd and BID March, on the mouon 10 strike out
the lst Resolution, whch was in these words:-
" BE 1t therefore resolved 4" That the imposi-
ion 81 Taxes and Duties by the Congress of the Uni
ted States, for the purpose OF protecting and en-
-oafaging Domestic Manufactures, is an uncon-
r'',u'ional exercise of power. and is highly oppres
e.fe and partial IN it, operation"
MIR. CABELL said
----'' The resolution ought to he stricken out,
viih view 10 the adoption of substitute which
rhauld be 50 expressed a. not, like The original,
70 cover doubtful or forbidden ground
The question does not relate merely to the ex
pediency of Protecting Duties and Taxes but
90 the constitutional power of Congress TO grant
such protection. The resolution seems 10 deny
all such power 10 Congress If il was intended Ia
convey this meaning, the resolution ought TO be
rejected, because 1t erroneous: If this was not
the intention there could be no reasonable obiec-
ton 10 an amendment which would express the
object in clear and unequvoc1l language
With regard to the policy Of projecting duties,
che general rule should be- to Leave the field of COM
petition open and free TO the Domestic and the
Foreign Manufacturer. But 10 this rule there are
exceptions, which vary in number, at any particu.
lar period Of time, with the state OF affairs in the
interior, and the aspert Of our foreign relation,
articles necessary to the safety and in lependenc,
Of the nation, are clearly among the exceptions t.
the general rule. The power 10 protect Inanuf,c
lures oil this description IS important power il
every government. II this power exists any vvler
in this government, ii must belong TO the Genera
Government: and TO that government it seems Il
appertain as the natural and inseparable concomi
tsnt Of the powers expressly granted in the con
s,iiuton.
In raising the amount Of revenue necessary 70
We purposes OF the Union, wide field is opene
to the discretion OF Congress. Regard is due from
every government to the effect of the public bur
thens upon the great interests Of the nation, anon
which Domestic Manufactures hold psominen
station. For the purpose OF protecting these, til
duties might be thrown upon a SET OF articles en-
tirely different from those viii h would be seecte
merely with view to revenue. Discrimination il
favor Of the Domestic Manufacturer, constitute
branch OF the general discretion of government il
The imposition OF TIE public burihens Equal re-
gard IN the slme way may be sbewn to the olhe
great interests Of state. This discretion NAV b,
abused, and exercised IN manner repuenant tc
the intentions Of those who framed the govern
fneut but The most Asgrant abuse Of the powers o
government could not disprove their exisenc,
within the limits prescribed by the constitution
The power 10 raise money is limited power
il is limited by tie debts Of tbe United States an,
- biI P""t'3 'NlItSrty bfaHttu IN me constitution
In raising money fer these affects, Congress ba
right to discriminate among he subjects Of i'm
poI and taxation. for The purpose oil protecdnl
Domestic Manufactures.
Tire resolution, according 10 the declarations O
some Of us ficndt, does not deny 10 Congress n,
power Of protection within tie linus now asserted
u, no sever. certain and undsnabIe, that anotbe
portion, both in the Ssnsie and elsewhere. ayov
the construction OF its opponeaisto be well found
cd. and dlssyow All power whatsoever in the go.
vcfnrnent to protect D)me.tic Manufactures. I
doubts exist here IS to the meaning OF our words
may we no, rest assured Of their existence abroad
END N drawing the line that yides the two govern
mems line IN which ,ve jar,ly take 70 deco =,
interest ought we not ~ express ourselves /,
l9ngns2s the mort err, dsfDi d. ea.l-s-Ssiyos..