Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-08-27
Judge Clayton ddiecrcd tie Jooaoing address at t.e
 tdte GntitaniG meeting keLd in Athens, Ca.

| MT Chairman We have assembled for the pur- pose of taking into consideration the proposition of a meeting, Tn Philadelphia, to hold Convention in that place, with view 10 memorialiZe Congress on the subject ol grievances resulting from the Tariff | System. (fiere Judge Clayton read the resolution of that meetlng) To complain by petition is allowed the nearest subject in the worst of govern ments; and It has been frequently told us by the friends of the Tariff, in their keen and bitter sar- casms against our Gurmurs that such is the course we ought to pursue and not to break out into such
 noisy glamour against the measures of our masters. Humble and humlllating as it may be- for the sake Of peace and harmony, this is the course the CON- VENTION intends 10 pursue and with such sent,- mens in view all persons ofa parties in this State, have been invited to attend this meeting. A conf- dent hope has been indulged that, iorgctting:our party strlies,lwc should on this subject, cordially unite and make one firm and concerted effort to be relieved from our ntolerable burthens.
 look around upon this numerous and respecta- | ble assembly with fond expectation that such tempe has been universally felt asd answered. That we have grievances, of no ordinary character, none will deny. That the Tariff system in this state | IS opp0ed by an overwhelming majority of the peo- pie is equally true, and that they have long slrug- gled though all their public iunctionaries, to have ts eHaitr .iihei i~.O s ''. ,ntgated. But in vain Another effort is about 10 be maue, uniUn witt, other suffering portions of this wide and extended empire under rational belielthat such voice can not be heard with indifference That its tone will al least command respect which on all former occa- sons has been denied, if it cannot accomplish higher object It is not my purpose, even if desira- ble to excite the feelings of this assembly by de- tailed relation of the numerous wrongs under which we suffer- There is language, in our decaying towns, deserted fields, and rotting produce, that more elfectudly appeals to our passions, than any thing which could possibly fall from your speaker. In the whitening aspect of the country and the suf- f .t. IL it is an unbendng and stubborn reality, and, heaven knows, is excitement enough for our present pur- pose.
 In n neghboring state that excitement has pro cecded To most serious extent and one which de- mands the most serious regard In that state, there Is but opinion to expressions, but they are divided us to the mode of relief both parties, howe yer, have determined to embrace the offered pros- pect of redress, in the contemplated Convention ut Philadelphia. Heretofore one of those parties be- leved they had sued long enough in the form of re- monstrance for their constitutional rights, and earn esy conceived that .nothing was now left to them but the exercise of self redress. You all know 10 what height thisieeling has been carried and that it has occasloned tremOr to pervade our political iabrck down to it's deepest foundations. The other party certainly not more talented or patriotic, have believed that the cup of peaceable eSpedents IS not yet exhausted and that they are willing, in,the Ian guagc of the declaration of independence, to sui fer long evils sulerable." and to try every effort dictated by argument or persuasion to awaken the government to sense of justice, to our long urged and repeated complaints. With thls party, let it be distinctly understood this meeting coincdes but would fain hope, without any reproach 10 the other for though WE would prefer the mder course, no can believe that any opposition to the ruin ous consequences of the Tariff has ever, in the South, proceeded from any wahtsof regard, yea, ar dent affection, for inc Union. This meeting be- lieves it is right to further remonstrance. It has heretofore been done, and that repeatedly, by tie state aone let us now try it in connection with our sister states. For the sake of the constitution, for the safety of the constitution, for every thing which
 is dear to the confederation let put our adversa-
 es the wrong if entreay can do if, II peace and kindness and charity, and brotherly love can re- move their sense of interest from before their more generous sense of justice. This mode of appeal, l though untried on the part of the sufferers, has achieved for our opponents every thing they wanted. The history of the Tariff system is curious as it IS unjust It's friends with view 10 protection, made their first humble approach to Congress- greatly dis trusting the merit of their claims, as early as tie year 1872. But fortified with the reasoning, which usually conquers by triumph over the syinpathles of the heart they went to Congress again m lSlo, with most feeling appeal to their berality, aver ring they had established infant manufactures dur
 ing the war for the express purpose of relieving the country from the trying endorsements which thai event produced and asked in tone of the most sub dued humility, whether it were possible the govern ment would suffer institutions to go down, founded
 in such useful and patriotic motlves when the slight est aid would enable them to stand up against the competition of even the very enemy who had made these institutions necessary by their hostilities.
 Looking away from the true motive of these estab | lishments and influenced alone by the affecting character of the appeal, Congress fell into the snare and the foundation of system was laid that ha threatened in no doubtful terms, and continues t' disturb, with no common fOrce the best and bright estgovernment of the world. The system once es tahished awakened sprittof avarice and a field O adtenture that recruited thousands to it's support who realizing more than their fondest anticipation ha1 promised and stimulated by the pleasure of suc cess, went once more to Congress Tn the year lo2o for an increase Os protection. Strengthened b. numbers and seducng by the prospect of fortune the virtue and patriotism of other adventures, the
 fornd listening ear to this thelr thnce rcpea'e
 application and returned to the work with renewe and persevering zeal, manufacturing for themseve
 prntey estates, and proselyting others to the cause by various allurements, but in nothing so much [ the glitter of their wealth.. Fnnr y"ars a''cr 'na
 seems this pestence revolved in an orbit of eXactl that term, these greedy applicants made their pc,
 odical visit to the source of their light and life
 ths time the effects of the system began to be mos seriously felt in every part of the Union, and in non so disastrously as the Southern States A sprlt {
 opposition was aroused, and most formidable stan , was made against any further encroachments oft
 monster, whose appetites seemed to increase Tn pr portion to the quality of it's supplies. The conte , though long and warm, was unsuccessful, and tn cormorant surfeited as was believed, retired 10
 rest, and it was fondly hoped hrd come for the la { tme But not so Another essay was resolved uPol
 but the temper of the nation had been wrought .
 to such indignation by the exorbitance Of their d mands and proper sense of their cupidity had Il spired such fierce resentmens that il was determine to vary the mode of approach. To this end, COT MENTION of all the Tariff States was propose to be held at Harrisburgh in the very state whel n we propose a similar meeting, for the purpose v going to Congress, not only for fresh increase
 orotecton. but to fix down irrevocably upon the n