Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-28
Congressional.
February ~, 1929.
IN SENATE.
Deodte on, Tie South Carolina Protest.


| Debate on the South Carolina Protest.
(coNTINUEp.)
Mr. Hayne rose, and said, that the importance
OF the subject, and the intense interest il had ex
Gifted among his constituents must be his apoIos;
LOT auding lew words TO what had fallen from hi.
colleague. lie knew that every thing which pro.
ceeded from so high a source as one of the Soye.
reign and Independent States of this Confedcracy
was entitled to receive, and, he trusted. aIway,
would receive, the most respectful consideration
here. Ii was not so much, therefore, said Mr.. II
to invite the earnest attention of the Senate to this
frotest, as TO do justice to my own feelings, and to
fufhl my obligations one Of the Representatives
OF 5. Carolina, that i now proceed to make fe "
remarks, suggested by the occasion.
One OF the most unhappy circumstances con-
nected with the present condition of the Southern
states, was the great, he might perhaps say, the
insuperable difficulty, Of causing their sentiine pts
and feelings to be made known. so as to be under
stood and appreciated by their fellow-citizens in
other quarters OF the Union. Viewing the u s.
as one country, the people Of the South might al.
most be considered strangers in the land of their
fathers. The fruits of their industry had from
the policy pursued by the Federal Government for
many years past, been flowing to the North. in a
current as steady and undertaking as the waters OF
,he great guiph; and as the sources of prosper
NY were drying up. that reciprocal intercourse
which had softened asperites and bound the diffe-
rent parts OF the country together in the bonds OF
common sympathy and affection, had in great
measure, ceased That close and intimate com
munion, necessary to full knowledge of each
other, no longer existed, and in its place there
was spfinging up, lit was useless to disguise the
truth) among the people in opposite quarters Of
the Union, spirit Of jealousy and distrust, found
ed on settled conviction, on the one part, that
they are the victims OF injustice and on the other,
that our complaints, if not groundess, NAV be
safely disregarded The people of the South are
wen aware OF the evils growing out of this un-
happy state of things; and of none are they more
deeply sensible, than that from causes to which
shall not now advert he eyes of our brethren have
closed to our true condition, and their hearts shut
against our just complaints. Altho' South Caro-.
lima, IN common with several of her sister States
had, on former occasions, avowed the principles
contained IN the Protest,y it may be well doubt
ed, Qf we are to judge from what we hear and see
around us,) whether il IS believed, North of the
Potomac, that she really entertains them: for, in
the lace oil the solemn declarations of her People
and their Representatives, denouncing the policy
pursued by the Federal Government 40 involving
them in ruin, we still find the public ear abused
and the public mind deluded, by exaggerated
statements OF our uninterrupted prosperity and
happiness. 1t has even been insinuated here at
the very seat OF Government, that the enlightened
public opinion at the South is in favor of this poll
cy, and that the excitement there is merely ''art-
hciai,. IT ithas not been "got up for party pur-
poses"
Sir, this state of things, let me assure gentle
men, must not be suffered tor ontinue or il will in
evitabiy lead to the most unhappy consequences.
IL has become necessary, Observation-Disclosures
necessary-that the sentiments of our constituent
should be expressed in the deliberate and inn
posing TORN, in manner no longer to be misunder-
stood or misrepresented.
The Legislature of S. Carolina, coming tirectly
rom the people, have, at their late session, with an
unanimity without example, instructed their Sem
ators to lay this their protest before you.
In obedience to that command, my colleague and
myself here IN our places, in the presence of the
Representatives OF the several States, and in the
face oil the whole American people, solemnly pro.
test against the System OF Projecting Duties, as
" UNCONSTITUTIONAL, OPPRESSIVE, and uF-
JUST We desire that this record may bear wit
ness Tor us TO all future times, that we have ear
nestiy demonstrated with our brethren, against the
extension Of an uDwarrantable jurisdiction over
us; and with full experience of the ruinous eff
fects OF the system of protecting duties, have de-
nounced 1t as utterly destructive OF our interests
The people of S. Carolina find the mselves impell-
ed, by their attachment to the principles OF the
Constitution, and by a a proud recollection of com
uon dangers, and common triumphs, to endeayor
TO preserve for themselves and their pos.erity
those rights and privileges TO them by the
great Charter OF our Liberties, and consecraed by
the blood OF our fathers. II is Ito use the lam
guage oil the Pro.est,) "becsuse they anxiously
desire tolive in peace with their brethren, to dc
| all that in them lies, to preserve and perpetuate
the Union OF the States and the liberties OF which
ii is the sures. PLEDGE" that they now protest a.
gainst system, which not only aims fatal blow
at the prosperity Of South Carolina (depe ndent as
she must ever continue upon agriculture and CON-
merce,) but which threatens her very existence as
State.
know, Mr.. President, that this is not suitable
occasion for the examination of the principles in
voiyed in this Protest With regard more espe-
oially to the violation Of the fundame nal principles
OF the Constitution, by the System Of protecting
cuties, the present crisis is peculiarly unfavora-
bic to profitable discussion. One Of the Fathers
OF the Constitution has, most unfortunately for US
and uDbappiIy for his country, If not for his own
fame, thrown the weight Of his great name into
the scale OF power. IL this, therefore, were
question to be decided by authority, we should be
almost without hope. But the people Of the South
will never yield 70 the authority Of Names how.
ever venerable, when the principles OF liberty are
at s'ako-whep the question 10 be decided is, whe
tber this shall remain a Federal Government
with strictly limited powers, shall become
Consolidated Government, with all power center.
ed here. And il does appear to us that the princi
pies now contend for by Mr.. Madison, lead di-
recty TO investing this Government with the pow.
er Openly contended for in another uuarter0 O
(" organizing the whole labor and capital oil In,
country" power which at once reduces IN,
States to mere petty corporations. We shall not
! trust, therefore, be accused Of disrespect to
wards Mr.. Madison, when dissenting from hi
principles, we endesvor to save the most preeiou
work OF his hands from being deformed, if not de
no'Ished, by the application Of the doctrines he ha
recently advocated.
| That Congress has right "to regulate com
inerce'" and under that power, may, in prope
case, resort to coup'ervaing commercial reguls
'ions, is no doubtful, than that they may de
clare war, or raise money by dirict tax, by du
Ties upon Imports But that these powers may b.
resorted to, rs The means OF directly promoting
manufactures, or that they may be rghnully use'
Tor such purpose, "a purpose entirely difrreD
from, IL not opposite 10, that for which the,
| were grantedl Is proposition which will sanction