Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1828-09-03

udS llCICuullY ueCtCGug dllu " I'LL WHICH WI
solemnly believe the safety Of our institu
tuiions, and the prosperity Of our country
are intimately associated"
MIR. CLAY'S REPLY.
I .Nr. Cbairmaa--Although it is not en-
trely compatible with the precautions which
are cnioined by the delicate state of my
health, to which you have so obllgingly al
luded, to present myself in this attitude,
cannot refrain from making public ex
preston to you, and TO my fellow citizens
here assembled, of my profound acknowl
edgments for the hearty welcome, and the
cordial. spontaneous and enthusiastic man
Hesitation of respect and attachment
with which my present visit TO your city
has been attended. Hhasbeen frequently
but no less truly SAID, that the highest re-
I ward for public service, Is the appreciation
of the public. The support Of public O.
piniOn, is the greatest incentive to the
/ faithful and beneficial discharge of official
dutv. ii, as YOU have truly suggested,
/ it has been my misfortune for several
wears, to have been abused and assailed
without example, have nevertheless, had
/ the satisfaction to have been cheered and
sustained, in all parts of the Union, by
some of the best and most virtuous men
init. And seize with pleasure, this oc-
caslon, to say that even among my poIlt-
ical opponents, many of the moderate and
most intell gent, have done me the Justice
to discredit and denounce the calumnies
of which have been the object. But no
where have / found more constant, ardent
and effective friends, than in this city. l
thank them most heartily for all their
friendly sentiments and eXertions.
Whatever may be the issue of the con-
test, which, at present unhappily divides
and distracts our country, ! trust that he
beneficial system to which YOU have re-
lared will survive the struggle, and con
tiuue to engage the affections and to cheer
and animate the industry of the people Of
the u. States. It has indeed been recent
" attacked in another part of the Union,
by some of our fellow citizens, with a
harshness and intemperance which must
every where nxcite the patriots's regre,.
Ithas been denounced as if it were a new
system that sprung into existence but yes
terday, or at least with the present. Admins
uauou, if not during the last session Of
Congress. But it owes It's origin to
much earlier date. The present admins
uation, though sincerely attached to ii.
and most anxious for its preservation, has
not the merit of having first proposed or
first established it. The manufacturng
system was quickened into existence by
the commercial restrictions which prece-
dcd the late War with Great Britain, and
by that greatest of them all, the War it,
self Our wants, no longersupphed from
abroad, must have been supplied at home,
or we must have been deprived Of the ne
cessaries and comforts of civilization. h
we had not relapsed into a state Of bar
harism. The policy of Jefferson and
Madison lostered, If it did not create the
manufactures of our country. The peace
brought with it a glut of foreign fabrics,
which would have Frustrated our estab-
lishmeuts, If government had been capa-
bic Of Wjustly Witnessing such a specta
ce without nterposIng Its protective pow
er. Protection was not therefore mere
w called for by the substantial indepen-
deuce of our country, but it was paren-
tai duty of government to those citizens
who had been tempted by It's restrictive
policy to embark all their hopes and for
tunes IN the business of manufacturing.
Twelve years ago Congress took up the
subject and, after long and mature DELHI
Grafton, solemnly decided to extend that
measure of protection which was alike de-
handed by sound policy and strict Justice.
hen the foundations were laid of the A.
meuCau System, and all that has been
subsequently done including the act Of
the last session OF Congress, are but the
consequences Of the policy then dellber-
ateIy adopted, having for their object the
Improvement and perfection of the great
work then began. 1t is not the least re-
markable of the circumstances of these
strange times, that some who assisted ia
the commencement who laid corner stones
Of the ediiice, are now ready to pull down
and demohsh it.
It's not the fact of the existence of an
opposition to the arH, that can occasion
any nquietude; nor that OF large and re
spectacle assemblies Of people, to express
their dJsapprobahon OF the policy, and
their firm resolution TO consume only the
produce Of their own industry. These
/ meetings are in the true spirit of our free
/ institutions, aud that resolution Is in the
true spirit Of our American System itself
/ But wuat must excite deep regret Is, that