Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-26

people; nor is il possible to imagine why such
power should have been conceded IL totally
unnecessary as regarded the public interest; and
was, moreover, il any control necessary with
IN the control OF the States themselves.
;. Carolina had deep interest in this govern
ment. That interest was founded on claims of no
ordinary character. In the beginning OF the Rev
olutionary contest, contest that gave this gov
eminent its freedom and Independence, she dis
played As ardent devotion any of her sister
States, and brought TO that contest much patrio-
tsm, as much treasure Tor its support and split as
much blood, any other State IN the Union. IN
her deep privaons, and destruction of private pro-
perry OF her citizens, there was no parallel. And
IN the hour Of her triumph, and returning peace,
the lace OF the country little else than drea-
ry waste, but she had her independence, and an
uncontrolled sovereignty She had, from the com
mencement of the confederation obey eel all the
acquisitions OF the general government. And was
bound topay il no tribute, except her proportion OF
the foreign and domestic debts, which she had al
ways done in good faith. She had all the rights of
sovereignty, that belonged 10 any other nation or
people When il was proposed 10 form the present
government, she had no niucement 10 become a
party thereto but to secure the protection Of the
Union She had nothing else 10 gain by il. She
rendered port thar was second TO but one in the
Union; and under existing circumstances, had she
retained her sovereignty aud separate iDdepen-
dence, so far as wealth and pecuniary could
contribute, she would have been amongst the
most powerful States Of America. All this she
was willing TO yield, and had yielded, without an,
possible motive, than that OF securing the proiec-
ton OF the Union, and perfect security to all her
private rights. She had no boon TO ask. This go
VernIneht had none to give her. But. iEste ad oil
that pro ection, which alone she sought, she has
nothing left, but the mere honor OF being a mem
Der OF the Union-if that can be called an honor,
to pay heavy tribute from the proceeds Of her la
boz $, 10 augment the wealth of u few Northern :.
Western capitalists. We are often told, (said MIR
81 that the Constitution founded on a compro-
mise. 5. Carolina, in this compromise, had COM
pr omised away her best and dearest rights, and
made concessions 10 enrich other portions of the
Union, To pay the public debts, and improve other
states, and had given pre;ext TO a majority 10
live upon her labor; but there was 10 compromise
Tor her emoument.
! South Carolina never refused TO contribute her
| full proportion ofthe burdens imposed by the gem
erai government for the public service During
the late war there was no contribution that she
dId MT cheeriulIy and promptly render, that was
necessary for the safety and defence OF the coun-
| try. He said, he would challenge the annals OF
this government 10 shew State that had been
more patriotic during the late Her citizens
were devoted 10 their common counry-they not
only rigidly regarded the public laws themselves,
but used unusual vigilance 10 protect the laws
gainst the infrachons of others. They scrupn-
iously regarded the embargo laws, and the non
intercourse laws. During the whole of that pa
Rod the produce Of their soil locked up,
whilst in some other States their citizens were
making large profits upon the products OF their la
bour. The magnanimi'y of South Carolinians du-
| ring that PERIOD, he was proud to say, did them
honor. Upon the return OF this second peace, in
| 1918, at the very moment il was announced, the
manufacturers claimed protection. And claimed
II as matter OF right, because Congress had laid
a high duty on goods, what few came in during
the war, the manufacturers ciaimei as a tacit
greement to continue that duty for their esciu-
siVe emoluInent. And ii was insisted upon, that
Congress should lay extraoi binary duty i'm
ports Tor the purpose, they alleged, OF indeInni
lying, by prohibiting foreign manufactures, the
only class OF citizens who had, whilst the war
ragged, carried on immensely profitable busi-
ness. And this gave the first impulse to the sys-
TEN The next session in 1916, they had cob
I lectei strength, and their demands were yielded
to: And here the system commenced. system
oil protection TO one portion of the States, and
system OF oppression TO the plantation States.
fheir demands OF protection have been increasin.
ever since. Appeals were made FIST from the
manufacture OF one article, then from another,
III the majority Of Congress became determined
to extend the system and fasten il the agIicul-
turai States Tor ever. All opposition had been
uDavaing. Urge that il is III opposition to the
principles OF The constitution; 10 gentleman choo-
SEES 10 answer ii they feel too In a ilajor
ity to notice constitutional objection. Offer
monstrance, il is only read and thrown aside
There had not beer attempt since the act of
protecting duties Of 1916 to increase the duties Oh
impoTtations, that had not been met by numerous
remonsrances, and memorials lroih the people OF
South Carolina, in their primary assemblies, from
associations oil her merchants, and from her
legislature setting forth their violated rights and
seeking relief. And what had been the result:
Why, (said Mr.. S.) we had never seen or heard
oil even succinct report, when il was the duty OF
the Committee Manufactures, to which they
were uniformly referred, to have given detailed
report, and to have sbewn in that epor the prin-
| ciples upon which his protecting SYSTEM was
iounded-ii founded upon constitutional principles,
to have given the arguments in such form as they
could have been met. Instead of pursuing this
usual course, in all other cases, the committee
had always marched directly up 10 their object,
disregardDg the claims of the people Of s. Carroll
ma, set forth IN their memorials and remonstTan-
ces, and given you no report bat one teemng with
more and higher duties, amount ng to prohibit
ing system. Duties, duties was all their
care, whilst memorials and responsiveness
were quietly laid to sleep in the arclscves OF the
Senate, (lf they had ever been permitted place
there) never to be seen or heard Of ag5in. In
all other questions before Congress both sides are
heard through the reports Of your Committees.
A Claimant ola quarter section Of land, or petit
toner to be paid for dead horse, always have
their claims to justice set out at fall lenght in The
reports OF Committees. Instances Of individual
claimants have given you reports printed reports,
OF fifty or an hundred pages, showing both sides,
and showing you the reasons upon which the re-
port was made. But in questions Of protecting du-
ties, il has been thought sufficient for maniac.
| turing gentlemen 10 ontrench themselves behind
a strong majority. got up from the various inter
esis OF all who have pursuits to protect, aud lay
your remons frances at rest.
! Mr.. President, said Mr.. s., South Carolina J.
though her citizens had at no period Of her bis,o
ry, been more borne down, by oppression i'm lhc
| pecunary affairs, attributable TO your tariffs OF
protecting duties, her interests were not limited
10 the calculations q dollars aud cents only. She
ma common interest in the prosperity OF thi'