Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-11-24


interest on tho subject, have been so long played
upon by Jacksonisin, to Mr.. Clay's prejudice.
TIE TARIFF.
On the question of the Tariff, Mr.. Clay agrees
with Mr. Calhoun, that this session Of Congress
Is 4 suitable time for such modification is
called for by tho near approach of the payment of
the Public debt. The modification hc conccivcs,
may be either prospective TO take effect when the
debt is discharged if there be any particular rt-
Gle the duty which is burthcnsomc there ght as
to that duty, be Immediate reduction abolition
Adequate notice i'll any proposed change of the Tn-
riff is advantageous TO merchant and consumer,
and it woad not be illcgitimatc Tor the treaty ma
king power to avail itself of any proposed distant
alteration to in consideration of it, more
favorable terms of commercial intercourse with 70.
reign powers Hence. it would appear wiso to
defer the reduction to the period of the final OK
tinguishnent of the public debt.
AS to the amount of reduction, Mr.. Clay thinks it
ought to be equal to the annual appropriation of
ten millions to the payment the debt, that appro
priation being no longer necessary when the debt
shall be paid This great reduction lie is of opnsn
ought to be Effected by an abolition or diminution
of duties articles not coming into competition
with the produce of our agriculture, or the ia
the principle of protection ought to be preserved
unimparod, in it's application to domestic industry;
but at the Same time. that revenue should
be collected than is necessary to an economical nd
rrinisratiop.
Such is an outline of what wo believe to be,
what confident the event will prove to be,
Mr.. Clay's opinions OF this great, absorbing,
agitating and dangerous question. Such VIC per
| SOnally know them 10 have bpen
ago. so far at least reduction required for
the restoration OF national harmony. Are these
the opinions which his enemies have rscribed to
him? Are these they, which have concentrated
upon him, much i'll will in the South? No
his enemies had their own purposes to effect To
put him down, has been tile leading object of every
political machnaton since February, 1925. No
method could he so efcctual 10 atchicvc this OBJ
jcct, to identify him with Southern prejudice and
hostility 10 the Tariff and accordingly the changes
have been rung upon the American System and
Henry Clay, with incIhaustblc ingenuity and
Infinite variation. These are not the opinions
! which his enemies haze imputed to Mr. Clay, and
which thus imputed, and by men who, worthily,
or unworthily, enjoyed public confidence, have
drawn on his head the extremity of public mprc
cation. But, these his real sentiments; tho
| others the Pigments of mcndacy the misrepre-
sensations of personal and political hostility. That
there mas been change in Mr.. Clay's opinions
since 1924, may be alledgcd, and need not be de-
MED; but it is change of degree, not of princi-
pie; change, which from the altered situation OF
the country and tho diminished acquisitions of the
Treasury, was inevitable to every of refec.
ton. To contend for the same amount of rs 'enuc
the Public Debt being paid, when ten millions
were annually necessary for that object, wou'
argue, not consistency, but stupidity. This chang
, of degree, has Mr.. Clay undergone, and other
He yet contends for the principle of protection
which, attribute of sovereignty, and certainly
not retained by the States, belongs both by gran
and necessity, to the General Government lie
yet contends for the application of protection tc
, such articles of agricultural produce and manu-.
featuring skill, as liable TO be overwhelmed by
foreign rivalshp. He has changed principle,
surrendered nothing for which he has con-
tended as such To conform rules of Government
to the ever fluctuating condition of human affairs,
is the great business of the Statesman, success in
which is the test Of capacity, as want of it marks
) the pratender.
We about to make statement which nc
doubt will create surprise, but which believe tc
be absolutely and unqualifiedly, true-It is, that
between MIR. Clay's wishes in respect to the Tariff
and those Of its moderate opponents in the South
there is perfect and entire agreement. We ask
no 20 believe this statement from respect &c
us--unless the future at hand, confirm it, lei
it be considered as worthless. 1t is however
} strictly, and literally Mr.. Clay wishes TO
modify the Tariff to tho standard of the actual
war IS of the Treasury, meaning those expenses
which cannot be dispensed with. Even the
Nufycrs ask greater reduction than this
for even they, strait forward and direct as they
affect to go to their object, have not yet un-
dertaken to show the superior cxpediency Of dis
pensing with imposts altogether, and resortng to
direct taxation 10 defra the unavoidable expenses
! of Government. Mr.. Clay only desires that the
! duties may be arranged, to afford incidental
protection; thus yielding the point Of protecting
! Tariff Such, while he claims the recognition and
; preservation Of the principle of protection itself
DOES any in the South, set himself up us more
orthodox, or more literal, on the subject of the
} Tariff, than Mr. Calhoun? No one Of the school Of
strict construction, will answer in the Affirmative
Yet il is certain, that in his late celebrated expo
Tftion, Mr.. Calhoun, after protesting his good
wishes 10 manufactures, conceded the constitution
atty and fitness also, Of incidental projections in
other words, that in Tariff tho true and lo
nest object or which, wen rs tho profcsscd was
for rerenweaLone, it might he right and lawful "a
afford protection to articles Of primary, national
Importance. We refer the reader TO the concluding