The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1827-07-12
MR.. CLAY IN ENNsYLvANIA.

At the dinner ren'iy gwen to Mr..
CLAY in Pittsburg, Penn. the annexed
complimentary senthept elected from that
gentleman the Adde'S which follows:
Our distinguished iuest--Let us not, like
the ungrateful butlerof Pharaoh, forget Jo'
! seph;" but remember ND who cheered US in
| the midst of gloom, an foretold, with pro-
phetic spirit, our delivrlnce and prosperity.
This sentiment Wis received with un-
bounded approbatior, and Mr.. Clay rose
eyldenlllSy aShgyitaisd. 10 prot' h's thanks to
Mr.. President, and fa.Ss,. Csti,ens--
thank you for the very cordial recep-
ton with which have been houorod, dur.
ing my ylsi, to this city. thank you for
the present distinguished proof Of your
confidence and esteem. thank you COR
the sentiment which has been just drank
The appreciation of our fellow citizens 4
always gratifying. There are times ant
places and circumstances which give an
uncommon interest to the manifestations
offriendly feelings.
In foreseeing, as many years ago
thought | did, the success which would
crown the eXertions OF the people of the
United States, by the application Of por-
ton of their industry to the arts, was
gifted with no spirit Of prophecy. [ ony
studied the character and the resources ot
our countrymen and our country. OF
their enterprise, ingenuity and perseve.
rance, no doubt could be entertained.
We produced all the essential raw materl
ais, and we had the command of boundlesS
power, natural and artificial. With these
elements, physical and moral, why should
We fail: Nor was the strength Of my
conviction abated by the discouraging pre-
dictions of the hmid and the interested
These have not been wanting in ever,
stage OF our national progress and the
failure Of our arms, in both our vars, a.
well as Of our arts, had been confidently
loretold. Our march has nevertheless
been onward, successful and triumphant
and glorious.
If the friends Of American industry had
presented a system for its protection, bas
I'd upon doubtful theory and visionary
speculatlon--if they had offered 70 the
consideration Of their countrynen scheme
which experience in other nations had de
monstrated 10 be impracticable aud ipiuri-
Gus, all the opposition which they encoun-
tered would have been nattiotic and iusti.
fable. But they came forward with no
doubtful project. They were sustained
es,elenid'Iy ln 2I of Ina, rroi, s''r countries, and
And now the ",aa v"ry ,'VT greSSt eRcgess 9ESSfab
has attended those branches Of our manu-
factures which were adequately protected,
enables us % add that Of our own as a tes
timOny to the wisdom of self defence and
protection.
Notwithstanding the new markets which
have been created, the wants which have
been supplied, and the animation which
has been given to labor, the foes Of the A
merican system continue their opposition
with a perseverance worthy of a better
cause. Availlng themselves OF the irr,ta.
tons and divisions incident 10 a iete con
tested election, and enlistng under the
banners Of distinguished name, they
have taken fresh courage, and assail the
further progress of our manufactures with
rcnovating vigor. Pijor to that event.
they had contented themselves with con
towering the policy Of encouragement;
and no statesman in Congress had been
seen bold enough seriously TO question the
right Of Congress 10 afford it. But now
the Legislature of a distinguished state,
after long deliberation and mature conside-
ration, has soIemnly resolved that Con-
gress does not possess the power To- coun.
teract foreign Legislation by laws of self
protection.
From the very commencement Of the
government, and throughout all the stages
OF Its existence, in peace and in war, the
power has been assorted and exercised.
II is delegated by more than one clause in
the constitution. Under the authority to
regulate commerce with foreign nations,
we have seen the power exercised 10 sus-
pend, for long and indefinite periods, com
mercIal intercourse with ali nations, aud
especially with Great Britain and France.
The power TO regulate our foreign com
merce IS plenary, clear, and explicit; and,
n the clause which conveys it is not adap-
ted to the purpose, human language is in
competent to supply the appropriate terms.
Under another clause, also full and eXplI-
clt. the power is granted TO lay imposts,
without limitation as 10 amount, and has
been exercised TO an extent lar beyond
the wishes of the friends Of the American
System TO apply IT.
] hope the vigor of this new attack upon
the system will be met by corresponding
vigor in its defence. Let us treat our an.
tagonist with the greatest respect, and be
tender even of their prcjudices. But faith.
ful to measures, let ms firmly meet concert
and cooperation on tho other side by con.
cert and CO operation on ours.-Let Us op.
pose mind TO mind, and exertion TO excr.
ton and if we must fall--if tho bright
prospects which lie before us are TO be dis.
sipa,ed and destroyed, let there be no &C
csson for reproaching ourselves. II our
opponents can mako themselves the ina.
jorty; however much We may deplore the