Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-05-11

sentS itself to their excited imaginations and
they blindly rush in the ranks of those who
unfurling the banner of notification, would
place State upon lis sovereignty!
The danger TO our Union does not lie on
The one side OF persistence in the American
System, but on that fits abandonment. If,
as have supposed and believe, the inhabit-
ants OF all North and East of James river
ana all west OF the mountains, including
Louisiana, are deeply interested in the pre-
servatIon OF that System, would they be re-
conciled TO its overthrow? Can it be ex-
pected that two-thirds, if not three -fourths.
OF the People Of the United States would con
sent 10 the destruction of policy, believed
!. 10 De lndlspensably necessary 10 their pros
Perlty When, too, this sacrifice is made,
at The instance OF a single interest, which
they verify believe will not be promoted by
II! In estimating the degree of peril which
| may be incident TO two opposite courses of
human policy the statesman would be short
sighted who should content himself with
! viewing only the evils, real or imaginary,
which belong 10 that course which is in prac-
teal operation. He should lift himself up
TO the contemplation of those greater and
more certain dangers which might inevita-
| bly, attend the adoption of the alternative
course. What would be the condition ofthis
| Union, if Pennsylvania, and New York,
those mammoth members ofour confedera-
| cy, were firmly persuaded that their indus
Try were paralysed, and their prosperity
blighted, by the enforcement of the British
I Colonial System, under the delusive name of
Tree trade They are now tranquil, and
| happy, and contented, concious of their well
iare, and feeling salutary and rapid circu-
| latlon OF the products of home manufactures
| ana home industry throughout all their great
arteries. But let that be checked, let them
feel that foreign system is TO predominant.
and the sources oftheir subsistence and COM
fort dried up; let New England and the
West, and the Middle States, all feel thew
too are the victims OF mistaken policy. and
let these vast portions of our country de-
! spair OF any favorable change, and then, in
deed, might we trembe for the continuance
and safety Of the Union!
And need remind you, sir, that this dere-
Lotion OF the duty ofprotecting our domes-
TIC industry, and abandonment of it to the
fate OF foreign legislation, would be directly
at war with leading considerations which
| prompted the adoption of the present constitu-
tom The States, respectively, surrender
ed to the General Government the whole
power of laying imposts on foreign goods
They stripped themselves of all power to
! protect their own manufactures, by the most
| eIhcacl0us means of encouragement-the
imposition OF duties on rival foreign fabrics.
DIG lhey create that great trust /? Did they
voluntarily subject themselves 10 this self
restriction, that the power should remain in
The Federal Government, inactive, an
executed, and lifeless? Mr. Madison, at
the commencement Of the Government, told
you otherwise. In discussing at that early
period, this very subject, he declared that a
failure to exercise this power would be
fraud upon the y orthern States, TO which
may now be added the Middle and Western
States.
[Govcrnor Miller asked to what express
sion OF Mr.. Madison's opinion Mr.. CLAW
referred and Mr. Clay replied, his opinion.
/ expressed IN the House OF Representatives.
in 1879, as reported in Lloyd's COMPRESSION
al Debates.]
Gentlemen are greatly deceived az to the
hold which this system has in the affections
ofthe People of the United States. They
represent that it is the policy of New Eng
land, and that she is most benefited by i.
lithere be any part ofthis Union which has
been most steady. most unanimous, and
! most determined in IFS support, it is Penn
! sylVanIa. Why is not that powerful State
attacked: Why pass her over, and aim the
blow at New England ? New England
came, reluctantly, into the policy. In 1924
majority of her delegation was opposed TO
IT. From the largest State Of New England
there was but solitary vote in favor Of the
bill. That enterprizing people can readily
accommodate their Industry to any policy
provided, 1T be settled. They supposed
this was fixed, and they submitted 10 the de-
crees OF Government. And the progress of
public opinion has kept pace with the deveI-
! opement OF the benefits ofthe system. Now
all New England, at least in the House
| with the exception of one small. still voice.
IS IN favor OF the system. In 1924 all Ma
ryland was against it now, the majority is
for IT. Then Louisiana, with one cXcepiion
was opposed to it now, without any eXcep.
ton, she is in favor OF it. The march fpub-
lie sentiment is TO the South VIRGINIA will
be the next convert and, in less than seven
years, II there be no obstacles from poIiticaI
causes. OF FreJudlces industriously instilled
the majority oi Eastern Virginia will be, as
the majority OF Western Virginia now is, in
favor OF the American System North Car
DINA Will follow later, but not less certainly.
Eastern Tennessee is now in favor Of the
system. And, finally, its doctrines will per
wade the whole Union, and the wonder will
be, that they ever should have been oDposed
have now TO proceed 70 notice some OBJ.
iections which have been urged against the
re oIution under consideration with respect
10 the amendment, which the gentleman
from South Carolina had offered, rs he has
! intlmated his purpose 70 modify it, I shall
iorbear, for the present, to comment upon it.
! II is Contended that the resolution proposes
the repeal OF duties on Injuries, leaving