Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-03-02

II
pect Tho nsf,ons evidently manifested THAI they
wero disposed for polco, agitation fthe waves
might be expected even after the storm had subsded
but the teadeaey was, strongly and rapidly. tswards
Il 90 happened, cir, sAat was at that timo mem
Der of Congress, aud like others, naturally turn6d my
attention TO the contemplation of the newly altered
condition Of the country, aud OF the world. Il up.
pcared plainly enough to me, we'll as to wiser and
moro experienced men, that the policy ofthe Govern
ment would necessarily Mkc stsrt, ID = new dircc-
ton; because new directiops would necessarily be
We had pushed our commerce. far and iS.t under the
advantage of Q neutral flag. But there were no
longer flags, either neutral belligcrent. Tue har
vest Of neutrality had been great, but had gathered
it all. With tho peace of Europe, it was obvious
there would spring up her circle Of nations. &C.
vived and inylgorated spirit OF trade, and new acti
witty in all tho business and objects Of civilized lfc
Hereafter, our commercial gains were to be earned
only by success in close aud intense competition.
Other nations would produce for themselves and curry
for themselves, and manufacture for themselves, to
the full extent Of their abilities. The crops Of our
plains would no longer sustain European armies.
our ships longer supply those whom had rendered
unable to supply themselves. 1t was obvioss, thut.
under these circumst ances the country would begin
TO survcy ITSELF aud To estimate its own capacity Of
improvements And this Improvement, how was 1t to
be accomplished, and who was to accomplish IT. We
were ten or twelve nulious of people, spread over
hall world. Wo twenty four States, some
stretching along the same seaboard, some along the
banks of tho same vast rivers. Two considerations
at once presented themselves in looking this state
Of things, with great force. One was, that that great
branch ofimprovement which consistc cd in furnishing
new facilities OF intercourse, necessarily DIFF
fercnt States in every leading instance and would
benefit the citizens OF all such States. No State
therefore, In such cases, would assume tho whole
expense, nor was the cooperation of several States
to be expected. Take the instaEce ofthe Delaware
Breakwa,er. 1t will cost several II ilions of money
Would Pennsylvania alone have ever constructed it,
Certainly never while this Union lasts, because it is
not for her sole benefit.
They enjoy the revenues derived from commerce,
and the States have abundant and easy sources Of
public income. The custom houses fill the general
treasury, while the States have scanty resources,
except by resort to heavy direct taxes Under this
view of things, thought it necessary TO settle at
least for myself some definite notions, with respect
to the powers of Government, regard to internal
affairs. Ii may not SAVIOR too much of self common
dation TO remark that with this object, considered
the constitution, its judicial construction its cote-
poraneous exposition and the whole history Of the
Legislation of Congress under IT. and arrived at the
conclusion that Government had power TO accom-
pish sundry objects, aid in their accomplishment
which are now commonly spoken of Us Internal nm
prouements.
That conclusion, sir. nay have been right, or it may
have been wrong. not about to argue the grounds
oft at large say only that il was and acted
on, early as in 1916. Yes, Mr.. President, I
made up my opinion, and determined my intended
course of political conduct these subjects, in the
have furherto say that made up these opinions and
entered this OF political conduct, Tucyo Duce
Yes, SIR pursued, in all this South Carolina track.
Or the doctrines of Internal Improvement South Ca
rona she then represented ia the otcf House,
set FORTH in 1916, under fresh and leading brecZe,
and was among the followers. But ifmy icatler sees
new lights, and turns sharp corner, unless see new
lights, also, keep straight on in the path. re-
peat that leading gentleman from South Carolina were
first and foremost in behalf OF the doctrines of Internal
improvements, when these doctrines first came to be
1or a
on the nank question, the Tariff Of 1916 and
District Tax, will show who who, and what was
what, at that time. The Tariff of 1916, of the
plain cases of oppression and usurpation from which,
the government does not recede, individual states
may justly secede from the government, is, sir, in
truth, South Carolina rarH, supported by South Ca
roina votes. But for those votes il could not have
passed in the form in which it did pass; whereas If
had depended on Massachusetts votes, iteHoud have
been lost. Does not the honorable gentleman we'll
know all this! There certainly those who do full
well know it all. do not say this to reproach South
Carolina; only state the fact and think will appear
be true, that among the earliest and bodes advo
the express ground OF protection, leading gentle
men Of South Corolina in Congress. did not then,
and cannot now, understand their language in any
other sense. While this Tariff of 1916 under dis
cusson in the House of Representatives, honorable
gentleman from Georgia. now in this House, (r. For
syth) moved to reduce the proposed duty cotton.
lie failed by four votes, South Carolina giving three
votes, (enough to have turned the scale against his
motion. The act sir then passed, and received its
passage the support of majority of the Representa-
ves Of s. C. present and voting. This act the first,
in the order of those denounced plain usurpa-
tons we It daily in the list by the side Of those
of 1929, and 1925 a Of manifest oppression,
justifyng disunion. 1 put it home 10 the honorable
member from South Carolina, that his State was
not only 'art and part in this measure, but the
ea,isaps. Without her aid thrs seminal principle of
mischief this Of Upas, could not have been plant
ell have already said and it is true, that this act
proceeded the ground Of protection. II interfered
directly with existing interests of great value and
amount. 1t cut up the Calcutta cotton trade by the
roots But it passed, nevertheless, and it passed on
the principle of protecting manufactures the prn
ciple against free trade, the principle opposed to
that which lets us alone.-Sote 2,
Such, Mr.. President, were the opinions Of mpor
tant and leading gentlemen from South Carolina, on
the subject of Internal Improvement, IN 1916. /
went out of Congress the next year, and returning
gain in 1923, thought found South Carolina where
doctrine Of Internal improvements would be defended
by the same eloquent voices, and the same strong
Il