Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-07-18
Friday EUeastng. JssIy HI.

csedinss of the James City Anti-Tariff Meeting,
10 winch San eye witness" has reference. We
nave seen with painful regret, tho proposition for
an Anti-Tariff Convention at Philadelphia; prop
osition which, Matched by Isaac Hills influence in
New Hampshire, pretends thing and means
another; ostensibly directed against the Tariff, is
really and truly, gotten up for political purposes
We distrust any thing that comes from Isaac Hill
What good can such Convention possibly do, in
producing n modification or repeal of the Tariff
iawsf Effect concert and harmony, among the
enemies of that system? This cannot BIO necessa-
ry, tor they are already united rs one man, and
every reasonable man must concede that their zeal
wants no tanning, for its excess has already put
the Union IN jeopardy; all must concede, that it
needs the curb more than the spur. Is it proposed
oy the callers OF the Convention to reason the
friends of the Tariff out of their convictions?
What Randolph, and Tazewell, McDuffie, and
Hayne, have not succeeded in accomplishing, dc
Messrs. Semple, Dew and Bassett imagine they can
htchieve7 Alas! vain hope.
Whdt IS the good expected from this Anti-Tariff
convention? Let its advocates show one desirable
object that they can reasonably hope to attain by
1t, before they rush into a which hard
~ fail to kndle flame in the country, which may
indeed consume its peace and tranquility, but
winch will not, cannot light to any good. Pro-
fessor- Dew is learned in Political Economy. and
VIII no doubt prove that learning at Philadelphia
TO tho satisfaction of the Convention-but what
good has his very profound book done for his cause2
The truth is, that the Tariff is much better under
stood by the mon of business in the country, than
Professor Dew, or Adam Smith, any other man
OF the closet 1t is business affar-an every day
affair much too simple to be understood by those,
rI,r,, IL =
up the facts which are strewed along the path and
lie upon the surface, and insist upon digging into
fhe bowels OF the Earth for truth. What good
tell the People gentlemen, ohat good you propose
to then'' from the Convention at Philadelphia
On tho other hand, what mischief may not that
Convention do? Grant for argument sake, that the
Tariff is oppressive, abominable, horrible and de-
serves any other exaggerated epthet, which the
English tongue in its fruitfulness, can supply:
Grant oil this, and still we ask, what good will
Convention at Philadelphia, do7 Suppose that
Convention met-composcd of learned Professors
like Professor Dew, and wise Statesmen, like COL
Bassett-the Convention organizes-some grave
and elderly person, is called to the Chair and
younger person with nmble pen, made Secretary
one Orator unfolds the object of the Convention,
and another seconds his motion for the appointment
of Committee to collect facts and draft an Ad-
dress to the People of the u States. Every thing
proceeds seeundum artem The Address is brought
IN, and Professor Dew supports it in an elaborate
commentary on the principles of political economy
and free trade, Smiths Wealth of Nations Tracy's
writings and his own. The meeting are hugely
pleased, vote that the Address be printed published
in certain newspapers, vote thanks the President
and Secretary, and adjourn die The Address
is necessarily SO lengthy that none but the men,
bers and few of their personal friends will ever
read it, for the taste of the age delights in the
pithy and sententious, and abhors long yarns. The
great body of the people will assuredly never
it, read it; and we challenge any man
for small wager. that this Convention shall do all
we have said it would do, and that Col. Bassett,
Judge Semple, and Professor Dew, with the whole
Convention at their back will not make one single
concert to their opinions
The Convention will be impotent for good but
not for mischief. L. there not excitement on
this subject enough already, that it is wished to
increase it'll Does Professor Dew, wish to encou-
rage the Nullifyers of South Carolina w it'll hope
that this Convention if intended to prepare the
whole Southern Country, for a confederacy with
them? In that light they will certainly view it.
Does he wish them to imagine, that the Anti Ia
rfhtes of this State, secretly wish well to their
cause, and will at suitable time, esPouse it? In
the political heats that now pervade the country
in that storm which already blows fercely, occa-
stoned by the election of President, and which is
destined to blow with increased and increasing
fury, is there not enough to alarm every patriot
for the public safety, that the passions of the peo
pie must be wantonly excited by the bandying of
another agitating topic2
When we survey the state of the tariff question:
almost tempted to believe, that this propos-
ed Anti-TariR Convention was conceived in a sp-
br1ced partially in Virginia, without reflection. The
national debt is almost paid of-will be paid off in
"A few years. When that time comes, great re-
duction of the tariff will in all probability ensuc
Ailments opinions and wishes seem tending to that
PoInt and many foresee, strongly hope, that that
VIII be the of the restoration of national har-
many and good will, once more Why not wait
the feelings of the eontending parties, and render
morc difficult final composition Of this dangerous
question:
%o hope the people of Virginia will pause before
they follow the lead of Col: Bassett Professor Dew
and their two and twenty disciples We are persua-
'dsd that they have not reflected much on the sub
Ject; that they viii be urged to act before they
Jhave reflected: and aetuated by the soIo wish ol
peaccO tranquility AID safcty4o our institutions we
call upon thsRte ask themselves, what thcv have
to gain by the stepl