Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-05-16

you would rob your injustice of little of its OPP
preston, ne would bear your burdens with COM
mendable philosophy and moderation. No, sir,
my constituents believe, as Il sovereign party
10 the compact of this Union, that South Carolina
never did confer upon this government the power
10 tax the industry OF her own citizens for the ex-
elusive benefit OF the industry of the citizens OF
the other States. Relying on the truth of this
principle, we disdan TO impair its strength, by ia
king refuge under miserable expedients 10 sup.
piica lie your mercy.
III any bill Is to pass this House, to cater for
an appetite which seems Unsuitable as the vul-
ture OF ahtiquity-an appetite which may be fed
OUT can never be appeased-I trust that the one
on your table IS destined to become a law; be-
Cause out OF the extreme evil, the remedy is to
come: that other and larger portions of this Union
man the south, Will then be made sensible of lhe
ii)nsuce OF the system, by feeling its severity.
10 not suppose, Mr. Speaker that mean to dis
cusS the political economy of this question. Nosir
IN an enlightened age when we appear TO have i'm
ported Professor from Germany, in absolute yio-
!alion OF the doctrines of the American system TO
lecture upon its lessons-to convict Adam Smith
OF Stupidity, and Ricardo of error, l will not say
one syllable upon either the solid truths or the
subtle distractions OF this much condemned sci
ehce, more especially in fine presence of some
statesmen, who seem to glory in their utter igno-
rance OF ITS principles, as matter ofjust and hon
orable pride.
III, Sir, have neither risen to discuss the rcn-
eri'i principle, or the practical details involved n
me Dill, or those views of the constitution by
'~" your power 10 pass 1t Is absolutely denied,
you may well ask-ior what | have risen? NOT
eIr, TO signalize the thritess effort of reasoning,
""eh argument has been exhausted though yrfor
IS not subdued; not, Sir to combat that mania which
mas fastened upon the question Of how much the
poor man Is TO be taxed tor the benefit of the rich
the cunning stratagems of another question ON
whom the peit and power OF this government shall
Ia-but toenter the firm and untaltering protest OF
me hecmen represent, against this whole sys-
fem OF restrictive or prohibtory imposts which
in Iico
cepttoh OIL Tie powers oil this confederacy, and
ieading TO ruin no less certain than irreparable,
TO our nterest-inierests which interchangeable
rs the physical laws OF our soil and climate.
Shall ask you TO pause? That is too idle
Shall ask you 10 relenti That, indeed, would be.
VAIN f'ut let me enireat you to listen, when
say that tins romonsrance comes from n State
which, III proportion TO her population and the ex-
tent OF her surface, has OF all others in this Union
the richest and most varied staples; which ne
veriheless, by the process OF tariff rapidly in
creasihg g rapidly eXliausting high duties, is fast
sinking into that condition in which il is no treason ia
Cod II IT Is TO man, mplore him tell us howit
comes 10 pass with his bi light sun pouring its re-
mai torrent on our plains, quickening into life IA
once the products OF the temperate zone and the
fruits oil The tropics that we are growing poor
even amidst the abundance of his blessings! III @
voice oil God is only 10 be heard in the truths
winch he reveals. lhrot gh these he tells u.s.
that the current f these blessings is turned bv
the pernicous hand Of Government; chat w hat he
plicaie; what he makes good, il is the selfsbpess
Oman TO make evil; and that we are SINGING bv
pervel sion OF those mighty laws oil productions
"hch sgnalize, as iirst principles, the providence
OF his bcnehcence. Let any man look at the
State whose humble representative am and saw
that this IS not true. W it'll yports that have ave-
ragged Tor the last thirteen years at least nine nil
Mons OF dollars, which ought TO have purchased
IN The ordinary profits of exchange, at least ten
millions OF imports, we are nevertheless becoming
hourly more Impoverished. The solution OF our
ais IS TO be found in the operation of Government
IL the consumption OF our State OF articles, paying
a duty at your Custom House. is equal TO eight
millions OF dollars, annually, pay at least, out
OF these eight millions, millions in tribute To
:. your American System :" Whilst this tribute is
levied In manner the most burdensome, il brings
WITH IL no reqniting or redeeming benefit The
moisture extracted from the parched and suffering
earth, does not return in refreshing showers TO
pay back, witt accumulated blessings, its tempo
rary eXaction. No, it is gone for ever: and the
only miracle to be considered is, that State,
WIN so small population South Carolina
should have been able to pay, since the late war
AT least 20 millions OF dollars, in the undeniablc
shape oil a bounty to an industry, part ofwhich
Is exercised within her own limits.
Sir the surfet which this House has had of
statistical Details admonshes OF the propriety OF
absiaining from the financial calculations, which
are at Iand,'o demonstrate this position. An aveiage
duty OF oniy 30 per cent, for the last I3 years
on only eight millions OF imports Annually CON
sumed in Sou4i Carolina would Justify sonethin,,
more than this estimate, which rests on the great
principle OF political economy, that i'll the long
run, fhe imports oil country will be equal to her
exports; and although the exact measure OF tie
ioriner Is not furnished at the Custom louise al
charleston, because Il vast proportion--pcriaps
-eVen-eShtil OF tire ti,Ios thus cOnsuIned-cofno
GO 'twise INFO our State, and the duties are co.
ected III 80 ton, New \ ork, Philadelphia; ne
Verlheless, they are refunded by the consump-
ton, OF South Carolina. I he lax thus levied
returns 10 tbs commercial and manufactufiun
States, in The shape OF direct bounty
We have at length reached crisis, from
which, in surveying the intoerablc evils of the
past, they are IN no jogree mtgated by the pros
poets Ol the future. To this system, mscalied
American, there seems neither Suspension nor IL
iuI'. Inc procurement Of cns exacton wrtIna.
nom the consumers Of the country, only justices
itcSb application, until Whole foreign trade
j. hreatened with utter ruin, by the steady march
oil bigoled spirit OF monopoly, 10 that point at
winch u hopes 10 reach its ultimate reward, ia
complete and absolute prohibition. In the pro-
grcss oil the cur5e, we believe a death blow ~
aimed al the the most valuable Of all Our stapcs
We consider that 1T is only through imports tlral
our cotton is 70 be purchased; deprive us oi tao
foreign market for this prime source OF our wealth
q comforts, 4 three .iOurths OF the amount 0ftbis
staple must remain our hands, to be pro.
duced; Tor even the benumbing paralysis of an APP
pro1chng evil has not so suiicd tliat weare nos
able topercciye that tle American manufactured.
cotton, who requires 4 duty varying from 30 10
10 per cent, to protect him at home, has 80
ireaus OF sustaining cOupci ion equal terms
abTodd and that, int the end, the only market which
will be- left for the most bcnclicgnt and stupendous
siapl' of tho South, will be the limited Que fur
nisned By the domestic consumption % our coun-
~ a.