Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-06-11
GONRMyRSS 9OMATe
DEBATE ON THE TARIFF
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, &c.
MIR. McDUFFIE'S SPEECH,
(coNrINUED.)

Inc great misfortune Sir,and IL gives the
key TO this whole system-ihat while this COVE rnment
is an undivided and udiviblc unity the cou Dry over
which 1t extends is divided into various anddisguse
il as Numerically adverse interests. Hence
II results, that the law which throws restriction upon
the commerce Of the Southern States to the great aud
obvious injury Of tie planter is obviously calculated,
aad proessedy intended to promote the interest OF the
Northern manufacturer If the manufacture can gain
ten per cent by the restriction is hi interest adhere
to IT, though it impose burhen Of forty fifty per
cent upon the planter. Hence il is that the majority
OF this House are pursuing policy with regard the
interests of the whole Union. which no human being
won!d pursue in regard his interest Ii il worth
while, Sir, to trace the operation of this pocy little
more in detail Great Britain, il is alleged will no. or
which Is the same thing, does not in fact, purchase the
grain oil the Northern, Middle aud Western States, and
consequently those States have nothing ,yherewih 10
purchase Bit.h manufactures. This il the complaint.
Now, Sir, If this be true. the wisdom OF could not
more efscually exclude British manufactures, or give
more complete protection to domestic ma lures, in
those States. lthsy have nothing give in exchange
Tor British manufactures, what earthly necessity is there
TO exclude them by law? The dome site manufacturer
absolutely secured against foreign competitions by the
single fact, that the British manufacturer will not take
any thing in exchange for his fabrics which the people
OF those States have TO give. What. then is the real
object OF the restrictions which the tariff States are go
anxious TO throw about our foreign commerce? IL is
not, Sir be- assured to prevent those States from import
ing British manufactures, who have nothing to give in
exchange for them. That would he impolent and graz
thitous legislation The true obi c-disguise il az gen
uemen MAYS TO prevent those States who haze The
means OF paying for British manufacturers and who
have deep and vital intrre in preserving tina, branch
OF commerce. from importing those manufactures in
der TO promote the interest of those States who hare not
the means OF paying for British manufactures and who
really have or b,leve they have deep anl vital in err
est in destroying that branch of commerce Twist il
AMI turn il yor may, 'to this complexion il must
come at last" Hence il is, that to the gross Inequality
OF the revenue system Of the United Sate' the major
ty CT Congress have superadied the n,ole ahe bur
thens OF the prohbi.ory system. VIII any gentleman
from Massachusetts, or Rhode Island, Vermont have
the hardiliood to mainain that the duties imposed on
cotton and woollen nuf,cres varying from forty TO
n bu her
en's as they upon mne' win any gentleman from
Pennsylvania assert, that the duty upon iron
imposes an equal burh-n upon the people of Pennsyl
vania and upon ,hose of South Carolina, On the con-
rary, do not the e gentlemap distinctly and openly "a
vow, that the duties which throw a grievous and OPP
presve hurhen upon the people OF the Southern SA-s
operate "a beneficial and sustaining bounty 10 the
people OF the Northern and Eastern Sstes! Mr. Chair.
man. | do firmly believe, that if the proceeds of the
public lands would cerav the whole expenses of the
government. il the staple growing States would
sumo the responsibility of paying those expenses of
Revenues raised by themselves there States
in this Union-l alude 10 those emphaicaly denomi-
mated tariff Staes'ha would cons to repeal of
the impo' duties No. Sir, they gain much more than
they lose, by the aggregate effect OF the duties impos
ed, and tn disbursements made, by thi, government
regarding the system in the light of mere pecnnary
speculation. II a foreign invocation made, by
which the operations Of government could be carried
on without the expenditure Of single dollar those
States would regard il nuisance, and prohibit it's
importation by as rigorous penalties propose
ed in regard to foreign manufactures. a greater ca
iani'y could scarcely happen TO the interests Of North
ern capital confedera,ed in favor the sys.
tem than would result from an entire suspension ofihe
hscal operations of this government including both tax
alton and disbursement. This extraordinary, but I'M
doubted fact that those who control the Legislation of
congress have decided pecuniary interes, in the in
crease and perpetuation of the burthens axation
brings me 10 the consideration OF view of this subject
deeply interesting to the people of the Southern portion
OF this conederacy, and involving the highest PRINCIPLES
Of constitutional liberty.
Mr. Chairman, the Southern States actuated by that
uncacna,ing patriotism for which they have always
been distinguished, have submitted. without single
murmur, to a system of taxation which has drawn from
the productions OF their industry, least double the
amount Of their just contribution ths federal treasury
But. Sir when they fad ntere m aoriiy "whicIs
feels power and forgets right" steadily aiming the i'm
peal ban OF the pohibory system at the absolute an
utilization OF that very branch of commerce which has
largely and dproporiionaeiv contribute to support
the expenses of the Federal Government-when they
find that majority, confident in the strength of num-
bers. openly and boldly avowing the unjust, and had
almost said, nefarous apd praca purpose Of sweeping
from the very face of the lawful branch of trade
which almost exclusively belongs the people of these
S'aes-iti time for them to rise up in the majesty of
their rights, and demand in the ~ the principles
OF eternal justice and OF constitutional liberty, "by
what authority do you commit this monsrons outraged
Sir never have been an advocate of strict limitations
or technical rehnements in ropsrung the Constitution
have always interpreted that instrument as I would
any other, by its plain and obvious ienon hav-
ing regard both 10 the letter and spirit Taking tbess
for my guide, utterly deny that Congress has ire con-
suiona power TO carry Legislative warfare, either
open or disguised against branch Of foreign COM
advancement other
branch OF national industry. know, Sir, that shall
be asked IL Congress have not the power of LAYING i'm
post duties for the purposes Of raising revenue and also
The power ore gnating commerce with foreign naons"
and io1hese questions answer in the affirmative.
shall be then asked, how il would be possible for
the Supreme Court to pronounce law Of Congress
unconstitutional which puports, upon The face of IT,
he arevenue measure, for the regulation Of
commerce! To this answer, that the Supreme Court
could not and would not, pronounce such law uncon-
stuion1 because they cannot look into the motives Of
the legislature. But, Sir, law or a system of laws
calculated and designed to destroy commerce, or any
branch OF s not the e4s unconstitutional because the
Supreme Court cannot pronounce IL 10 he IL is not
question OF which that court could take cognizance
IL turns upon great political principles. which would be
entirely out OF place in mere technical argument be-
fore Judicial tribunal but which this body IL under
the most solemn obligations to regard in all its pro-
ceedings.
As no now pretend4 that these prohibtory duties
are imposed for the purpose Of raising revenu shall
proceed to inqure how far they b. justified by the
clause OF the Constitution, whirh authorizes Congress
"to regulate commerce with foreign nations" What
then was the object Of the Convention in clothing Con-
gress with This power 10 regulate foreign commerce2
put to the COINCIDENCE Of member Of this BODY
upon the high responsibility under which he is acting
to answer mo the question: whether this power wa not
vested in Congress for the sole and exclusive purpose
OF preserving, protecting and defending the very com
merce which il proposes 10 regulator No one, 7 am
seriously believe tina, there any Other Ieg-
mate obicc, for which this power can have been CON
ferred, or for which can be rightluy exercised. b.
constituting Congress the guardian OF foreign