Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-03-02

aiter June 1915, assumed nr-n ano permanent de-
poet. The nations evidently manifested that they
were disposed for peace agitation of the waves
might be expected, after the storm had subsidies
put the tendency was, strongly and rapidly towards
1t SO happened, sir, that Twas ct that time MEM
Der OF Congress, and like Others naturally turned my
attention TO the contemplation OF the newly altered
condition OF the country, ard Of tho world 1t up,
pearcd plainly enough to me, we'll as TO wiser ana
more experienced mon, that tho policy OF the Govc.n-
ment would necessarily take start, in new dircc-
ton; because new directions would necessarily be
given to the pursuits and occupations OF the people
We had pushed our commerce tar and FAST under the
advantage OF neutral flag. But there were how no
longer flags, either neutral or bclligcren. Tho har
vest OF neutrality had been great, but had gathered
it all. With the peace of Europe, it was obvious
there would spring up in her circle OF nations re-
vived and nvigoratcd spirit OF trade and new acti-
witty IN oil the business and objects of civilized ile
Hereafter, our commercial gums wore to be earned
only by success in close und intense competition.
Other nations would produce for themselves and carry
for themselves and manufacture Tor themselves, TO
the full extent of their abilities. The crops OF our
plains would no longer sustain European armies. nor
our ships longer supply those whom war had rendered
unable TO supply themselves. 1t was obvious, that,
under these clrcumS ances, tho country would begin
TO survey itself, and 10 estimate its own capacity OF
Improvement. And this Improvement, how was 1t TO
be accomplished, and who was to accomplish it. We
were ten or twelve millions of people, spread over
half world. We were twenty four States, some
stretching along the same scaboard, some along the
same line of inland frontier, and others opposite
| banks of the vast rivers. Two considerations
at once presented themselves in looking at this state
of thugs, with great force Que was that that great
branch Improvement, which consisted in furnishing
new facilities of intercourse, necessarily ran into DIFF
fcrcnt States in every leading instance. and would
benefit the citizens OF all such States. No ore State
therefore, IN such cases, would assume the whole
expense nor was the cooperation of several States
to be expected. Take the insturce ofthe Delaware
ireak.wacr 1t will cost several illors of money.
Would Pennsylvania alone have ever constructed it?
Certainly never while this Union lasts because it is
not for her sole benefit
Tiiey enjoy the revenues derived from commerce,
and the States have no abundant and easy sources
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, in regard to internal
affairs 1t may not sayor too much of self common
daion 10 remark, that with this object, considered
the constitution, its judicial constructions its cotcni-
poraneous exposition and the whole history of the
legislation OF Congress under it and arrived at the
conclusion that Government had power to accom-
plisf sundry Objects or aid in their accomplishment,
which are now commonly spoken of as Internal I'm
Prouements.
That conclusion, Sir may have been right, or it may
nave been wrong am not about to argue the grounds
OF 1t at large. say only that adopted and acted
on, even early in 1916. Yes, Mr.. President, l
made up my opinion, and determined on my intended
18th Congress-, IN 1876 And now, Mr. President I
have further 10 say that Imade these opinions and
entered on this course of political conduct Itcro Ducs
Yes sir pursued, in all this South Carolina track
On the doctrines OF Internal Improvement South Ca
rona, she then represented in the other House,
set FORTH in 1916, under fresh and leading brec re;
and was among the followers. But if my leader
new lights. and turns sharp corner, unless see new
lights, also, keep straight on in the path.
peat that leading gentleman from South Carolina were
first and foremost in behalf of the doctrines of Internal
Imnr yui,e Ero, H.
considered and acted upon III Congress. The dc
on the Bank question: the Tariff IF 1916 and on The
District Tax, will show who was who, and what was
what, at that time. The Tariff of 1916, one of the
plain cases of oppression and usurpation from which,
If the government does not recede, individual States
may justly secede from the government, is, sir, in
truth, South Carolina Tariff, supported by South Ca
rolna votes. But for those votes it could not have
passed in the form in which it did pass whereas if it
had depended Massachusetts votes, it would have
been lost Does not the honorable gentleman well
know all this? rhee certainly those who do, full
we'll know it all. do say this reproach South
Carolina; only state the fact, and think it will appear
to be true, that among the earliest and bodes adyo-
Gates of the Tariff, Of protection, and on
the express ground OF protection leading gentle.
men of South Coroina in Congress. did not then,
| and cannot now, understand their language in anv
other sense While this Tariff of 1916 was under dis
cussion in the House Of Representatives, an honorable
gentleman from Georgia, now in this House, (hr For.
sythl moved TO reduce the proposed duty cotton.
He 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 on lis
passage the support of majority of the Representa-
tives of S. c. present and voting This act the first
in the order of those denounced plain usurpa.
tons. We see it daily in the list by the side of those
of 1924, and 1928, OF manifest oppression,
| justiiying dsunion put it home 10 the honorable
member from South Carolina that his own State was
only 'srt and part in this measure, but the
causans. Without her aid, this seminal principle of
mischief, this root of Upas could have been plant
ed have already said, and it is true that this act
proceeded on the ground of protection. itinterfered
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, on the prn
cpe against free trade the principle opposed to
that which lets us alone.--Note 2,
| Such, MIR. President, were the opinions of mpor
tant and leading gentlemen from South Carolina on
the subject of Internal Improvement, in 1919. /
went out of Congress The next year, and returning
gain in 1923, thought found South Carolina where
had left her. really supposed that ali things re-
manned as they were, and that the South Carolina
doctrine of Internal Improvements would be defended