Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-09-15
NdR. oALHoUN,s VIEWS.
CONCIUDIn

coSCLCDkD
have now said what I intended i'm
reference To the abstract question of
the relation OF the States 20 the Gene
raj Government. and would here con-
olude. did mt believe that a mare
general statement on an abstract qucs-
ton. without including that which NAV
has caused its agitation. would be
considered by many imperfect and un-
satisfactory. Feeling that such would
be Justly the case. am compelled. re.
luctantlv. to touch on the Tariff, SO
lar at least as may be necessary to
illustrate the opinions which have al
ready advanced. Anxious. however,
- 'H'rude "a little as possible on the
public attention. will be az brief as
possible and with that view, will as
Tar a. may be consistent with my object.
avoid all debatcahlc topics.
Whatever diversity Of opinion NAV
exist in relation 20 the principle or the
effect on the productive industry of the
country. OF the present. or any other
Tariff Of proteo ton, there are certain
political consequences flowing from the
present. which none can doubt. and
all must dcplore. 1t would be in vain
to attempt to conceal that II has di-
'ided the Country into two great geo.
graphical divisions, and arrayed them
against each other, in opinion al least.
# not interests also, on some Of the
most vital of political subjects; on its
finance, its commerce, and it's indus.
try; subjects calculated, above all
others, IN time of peace, to produce
excitement. and in relation 10 which
the Tariff has placed the sections in
question in deep and dangerous con-
flict. II there be any point on which
the | was going to say Southern sec
ton, bu, to avoid. as far rs possible.
the painful feelings such discussions
are calculated to excite, l shall saw
weaker OF the two sections is unani-
nous, it is that its prosperity depends,
IN a great measure on free trade, light
taxes. economical. and, as far as
possible, equal disbursements Of the
public revenue, and an uBshackled in
dustry, leaving them to pursue what
ever may appear most advantageous to
their interests. From the Potomac TO
the Mississippi there are few, indeed.
however divided on other points, who
would not. if dependent on their wolf
ton, and if they regarded the interest
Of their particular section only, remove
from commerce and industry every
shackle. reduce the revenue to the low
est point that the wants Of the Govern
ment fairly required, and restrict the
appropriations to the most moderate
scale, consistent with the peace. the
security, and the engagements of the
public and who do not believe that
the opposite system is calculated to
throw on them an unequal burthen. to
repress their prosperity, and to en-
croach on their enjoyment.
On all these deeply important mea-
sures, the opposite opinion prevails. IL
not with equal unanimity. with at least
greatly prepouderating majority in
the other and strongest so much so,
that no two distinct nstious ever en-.
tcrtained more opposite views Of poll
cy than these two sections do. on all
the important points to which have
referred. Nor is It less certain that
this unhappy conflict, flowing directly
from the Tariff, has extended itself In
the halls of legislation, and has con.
verted the deliberations Of Congress
into an annual struggle between the
two sections; the stronger TO MAINTAIN
and increase the superiority il has al
ready acquired, and the other ,0 throw
off or diminish its burdens n struggle
in which all the noble and generous
feelings Of patriotism are gradually
subsiding into sectional and selfish at
;achmenis.' Nor has the effect of this
dangerous conflict ended here. II has
not only divided the two sections on
the important point already stated.
but on the deeper and more product.
i've questions. the cOnstitutiOualitv Of
a dangerous Tariff, and the general
principles and theory of the Constitu-
ton itself; the stronger. in order "a
maintain their superiority. giving con.
struetIon to the INSTRUMENT which Tho
other believes would convert the Gene
raj Government into n Con.olidalcd
ire ponsible government. With the
total destruction # liberty and 80
weaker seeing 10 hope ol relief viii
such assumption of powers. turnin.
'i'ssve 20 the reserved so.rre ign,y ol ii.
Sia'e.. ~ the only refuge q ON oppre.
sion. sha!i not extend these remark =
a. I NIGH, by showing that While th'
effect II the system Of protection wa'
tarldly alternating one section, IL wa
---a
We s,si-rn. u continued. mus ~ rr' oti
To- s'.i .f-t.pg she industry sd fr7psrtv - ua
s~sks9 se,fion - che c1afr1i a ~. sfrsogrT. hI
in prescription anil political disirarcl,e- farI.t
must hs.iiv e8rtrol clfetilns AID appsin'rtruts 81