Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-12-15

ervation OF the prlnciple OF protection IT.
self Does any man in the South set
himself up as more orthodox, or more
literal, oil the subject Of the Tariff, than
MIR. Calhoun? No one Of the school of
strict construction, will answer in the
affirmative. Yet it is certain, that in his
late celebrated exposition, Mr.. Calhoun,
alter protesting his good wishes to manu-
features, conceded the constitutionality
and fitness also, of Incidental protection;
ip other words, that in Tariff, the true
and honest object ofwhich, as well > the
proiessed, was for rerenue alone, it might
be right and lawful to afford protection to
articles of primary, national Importance.
We refer tho reader to the concluding
part of that mastery paper for the truth
Of what we say.
1t is thus manifest, that the progress Of
events, and the charged condition of the
exchequer, have produced striking CO.
incidence Of thought and view between
men Of supposed different schools, and a
near approach to conformity even be-
tween extremes. We predicted that the
liquidation Of the public debt would pro-
duce ths most happy consequence; we
predicted that the force of events, if left
to their own operation, would modify the
Tariff to the satisfaction of all paries;a ;and
hence we intreated the people of Virgin
ia to have nothing to do with the Con-
vention at Philadelphia, which, although
ut might, would and piH claim ull the
merit of modification, was yet, in the
language of Mr.. Randolph, potent for
mischief, impotent for good. If our af-
feotion for Conventions ever revive, it
must be from some good we shall see
come of them hereafter, from none we
have ever yet seen. We stake the lust
chance ofa revival upon that at Balti-
more-ialling in that we wash our hands
of them. If the Tariff shall not be mod
ifed-if the friends of the Tariff shall
league their forces to prevent ito what
will it be owing but the Convention at.
Philadelphia, and the counteracting Con-
vention at New Y ork, the excitement &,
the evaporation which the Philadelphia
Convention produced?
To return to Mr.. Clay. If we have
faithfully stated his opinions of the Tar
III, as modified by the circumstances of,
the country, we may and do confidently
calculate upon his cooperation with Vir-
ginia, to procure reduction of its bur-
thens. Between the wishes of Virginia
and his, we are apprised of no disagree
mcnt, even in degree. She, influenced
by a belief of its oppressiveness, and he
by q patriotic wish to re-establish the lost
harmony Of the Union, have, though
from opposite directions, met at the point
of conjunction. That this will benefc-
tally affect Mr.. Clay's presidential pros
poets in his native State, we do not be-
lleve, nor is it the purpose of these re-
marks to claim such consequence for
his expected eXertions in that cause which
Virginia has so much at heart. Our in
fluential politicians, and pussant con-
temporary, have so long revilcd Mr.. Clay,
that (it is not to be Denied they have
excited against him in the bosoms of the
Jackson portion of the population of Vir-
ginia, prejudices which it might even
pass their ability to eradicate. Dsfama-
ton scars on the wings of the Eagle, but
truth and justice are of more slothlul
nature. Mr.. Clay is undoubtedly view
ed by many honest people in Virginia,
under the praiseworthy representations
and commendable industry Of the Editor
of the Enquirer, his quondam friend-as
a Cataline, an Arnold, or a Burr-a po-
litical incendiary-u scheming mounte-
bank-a Cesar in ambition, who, pro-
vided he may bestridc the Empire, is
reckless of the means or the sacrifice. e.-I
Prejudices thus artfully created, thus
long cherished, thus steadily fed with
nutritious aliment, thus sustained by sup
posed interest, will yield to nothing but
time. Even that approximation in sem
tment which circumstances have pro.
duced, and Of which Virginia will derive
the benefit in the accession of MIR. Claws
influence to her favorite measure, will
be wrested to his injury, and made the
occasion of fresh slander and insinuaton.
Not choosing to see that as question Of
profit and loss, Mr.. Clay will lose more
in friendly quarter than he can hope to
gain among his enemies, by his determin-
alton to aid in modification of the Tariff,
will set to work to ar
faign his motives and impeach his disin-
Nay, it has already COM
menced operations. Be it so. Mr.. Clay
must depend upon the consciousness of
uprig ht motives for reward, and upon fu-
lure times to render mthat justice which
IS denied him in these. \
We shall advert in our next to Mr.. I
Clay's sentiments on other great national
questions.