Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-04-17

rious attempt subyert the established noI;cv of tho
Governments IN regard TO Domestic Manufactures,
was evident from al tine signs of the tines The
foes of that policy were united powerf,l and boiS
and ceaseless III their exertions.-They were aided
by class OF men, in the Tariff States Who whilst tAeu
70 oe friends OF protection, would 20 90 fire
as they cond IN safety to themselves secreeely 10
overthrow it., It was to be regretted that tie Pre
sidenf, III his recent exposition of the ~,
which be intends to be guided, during, his ,,n;nis
mas not oeen less ambiguous, on this suhees-
inaugural speech, which relates it, laws daun H.
rule against the policy of protection. And il n,u.f
ne admitted that, when he announces his opirr;ou
that revenue Is the proper object of Duties imposed -
congress, he does favor the principlcs of tb.
who orc opposed to the American System Thai q
precisely the ground which they have uniformIv
TAKEN IL the paragraph remained in that form
without modification exception, the frientsof
the System would have had much reason 10 ar
prehend that his oifie al weight was to be tbraYr
into the scale against them. Their fears might
nave been somewhat removed II, in the excepffon
which he does annex, he had fortunately exnresse,a
himself less doubtingy, and furnished Specification
of the objects, essential to National Independence
which ne supposes ought to be comprehended in ths
exception. -~
| But it cannot be believed, after he has allowed
himself, during the late Presidential canvass to be
represented in all the Tariff States, not merely an
the friend of the American System but as n warsccr
and more unreserved friend than hfx coupetor tbns
he will dsappoint the hopes and expectations which
he has Justly excited He must have intended. and
OH some future
occasion, speak out explicitly, and lot the Amerc,
public know which side he really is of this ,root
question 1t Is doubt fur from his purpose tn decey
or to suffer to remain in doubt the State of Penn.
syvanfa, Ohio and Kentucky, which gave him tbe,x
unanimous support, in full confidence that h;s o,,;n
ION was in consonance with theirs. This IA no 1oss
due to them than from the character for fianknpss
energy. and integrity which his friends assign him.
y MIR. Clay considered the other important nteres,
with which his name had been Just associated n,a
exposed to more danger, from recent events than
that Of the encouragement of Domestic Man,,fnc
lures. The welfare of all parts of the Unio, wsz
deeply concerned in the exercise of the power NJ
Internal improvements but especially the Western
Section: He had seen, therefore. with regret and
alarm the favor shown at the last session of congress
TO proposition, which amounted to virtual re-
nuncation OF the power. That proposition had been
indeed rejected and he reoiced that it was rejected
eut IT was by majority small in the senate as to
invite and encourage its renewal
Tho Cumberland Road had been constructed nv
National mems, for great national purposes and 4
ought TO be protected, repaired and nresef,ed bx-
National authority It was not saade Cor the benefs
OF those part of the three States tsoucf, wia6 a
passed. although their convenience may have o,,ed
n collateral consideration. 1t was erected as = RanS
iof Unon to connect, by an iudsseuble chain the
great sections q our country. 1t was n,ada ,o,->
particularly for the comfort and benefit of tho w.
tern States. 1t grew out of a compact with one oe
them. as 1t IL continued and to be extended bavon6
the OHIO river under compacts with others of them
~ iad IN TACT, been part paid for out of resorc.s
drawn from Western Suites. To tede if tberefora
TO the three Eastern States was not merely a v;nis
ton of duty W hich Congress the whole Union.
put II was a vloatf-n OF solemn compact with Wea
tern States. He had been surprised thar snr r.
tern member could have voted for such DropostioT
lie had been as;onlshed that any western member
should have given it his concurrence If the rood
were constructed in derogatie, of the eonstit,,t;on
thefe was nothing to cede If in confornity VIII !,
there was nothing which ought to be ceded On tbis
latter superstition it was National property and ourt
no more TO be reliiquished to the Siates ,vtI;,
which 1t SItunted, than. of
ty the Mint, light houses, portions of the Navy =.
the Mails for example, should be surrendered tn The
states I within which any part of happens to be-
Fhis road is an essential accommodation to the Se
majors md Representatives well as the people Of
nine existing States and the delegates ana people of
two, inf not three Territories Repaired, and pre-
served under proper authority, it will contnue fo h.
blessing to them we'll 10 the Representative,
and people of other that may be formed bevond
the Mississippi, as long as time endures. 1t is our
only comfortable pass of the Mountains which divide
our Country. 1t the Therrnopyl Of the people of
tie west, not IN military, but in civil and social
sense 1t is almost the only practicable route which
their representatives have to the seat of common
government, to mis- heir councils with those of the
representatives of their Eastern BRETHREN for the gem
erai welfare. It's utility may be tested by a single
fact Prior to its erection he recolected that it took
him and his family an entire day. of toisome and fn-
tigulng travel, to pass the distance of about nine
miles, from Uniontown to Freemans on the summit
of Laurel Hill. Eighty miles over that and other
mountains are now made, In day, by the public
stage.
! Whilst this road remains subject to the National
authority I'D It's repatriation, preservation and control
the Western States have voice and an nfluenae in
fair proportion to their numbers. 1t is subject to the
direction of one will only, Of which they make part
Coded, it Is placed beyond the control OF the Nation
81 WILL aud the duty of presoTvingit dvolyes on those
Eastern States, in whose legislation ,ae voice of no
Western State can be heard. Two or three States
have no important interest Of their own to subserye
by keeping up the road, which 10 thought to be pre-
Judicial to them Is not better that it should remain
under the authority of single responsible and inter-
ested will, than be transferred to three separate ir
responsible and adverse wiIls9 If the cession be
made, how is Congress to enforce the performance OF
the duty on the part of the three States IF indeed il
could be made their duty to repair and protect tho
r0aG What new process can be devised to Compel