Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-04-13
Speech OF Henry CIay.
In defence of the american System. against
the british Colonial System, dsifrered
fnthe Senate ofthe United States.
on the 2ld, 3D. and 9th, of
february 1892.
4 n 4 n
Continued. J


february 1882.
{ Continued
L shall not discuss the constitutional cues
ton. Without meaning any disrespect TO
those who raise it, if it be debateable, it has
been sufficiently debated. The gentleman
from South Carolina suffered il 10 fall unno-
uced is0m his budget: and il was not until
after he had closed his speech and resumed
his seat, that 1t occurred to him that he had
forgotten 1T, when he again addressed the
Senate, and, by sort of protestation against
any conclusion from his silence, put forward
theobjection. The present Free Trade Con-
yention at Philadelphia, it is we'll known,
were divided on the question and although
the topic : noticed in their address to the
public, they do not avow their own belief
that the American System is unsconstitu-
uonal, but represent that such is the opinion
oil respectable portions of the American peo-
pie. Another address to the people of the
United States, from high source, during
the past year, treating the subject, does not
assert the opinion cfthe distinguished author,
but states that OF others TO be that it is I'M
constitutional. From which infer that he
did not, himself, consider it demonstrations
al.
Here the Vice President interposed. and
remarked that, If the Senator from Ken
lucky alluded to him, he must say, that his
opinion was, that the measure was unconsti-
tutional.
! When, sir, commended with you, side by
side, and with perhaps less zeal than you ex-
hibiied, in 1916, did not understand you
then TO consider the policy forbidden by the
constitution.
! The Vice President again interposed, and
said that the constitutional question was not
debated at that time, and that he had never
expressed an opinion contrary to that now
minated.
give way with pleasure TO these expla-
nations, which hope will always be made
when say any thing bearing ON the indi-
vidual opinions OF tie Chair. | know the
delicacy OF the position, and sympathse with
the incumbent, whoever he may be. 1t is
true, the question was not debated in 1916
and why not Because ii was not debatea-
bic it was then believed not fairly TO arise.
1t never has been made, as distinct, sub
stantlal, and leading point OF objection. II
never was made until the discussion of the
tariff OF 1924, i when il was rather limited at,
as against the spirit Of the constitution, than
formally announced, as being contrary TO
the provisions of that instrument What
was not dreamt of before. or in 1916, and
| SN'''NN'J hiDue,it vi III 1914, Is now lldUC,
by excited imaginations, TO assume the i'm
posing tcrm OF serious con stitutional bar
rier.
Such are the origin, duration, extent, and
sanctions The policy which we are now
called upon 10 Subyert. Its beneficial effects,
although they may vary in degree, have been
felt In all parts of the Union. To none, /
verify believe, has it been prejudicial. To
the North every where, testimonies are
borne to thehigh prosperity which it has diff
fused. There all branches of industry are
animated and flourishing. Commerce, for
eIgn and domestic, active cities and towns
springing up, charging and identifying !;
navigation fully and profitably employed
and the whole face of the country smiling
with improvement, cheerfulness and abund-
ance. The gentleman from South Carolina
has supposed that we, in the West, derive
no advantage from this system He is mis-
taken. Let him visit US, and he will find
from the head of La Belle Riyiere, al Pitts
burg, TO America, at its mouth, the most
rapid and gratifying advances He will be-
hold Pittsburg ITSELF Wheeling, Ports
mouth, Maysyille, Cincinnati, Louisville,
and numerous other towns, lining and orna-
mentlng the banks Of that noble river, daily
extending their limits, and prosecuting with
The greatest spirit & profit numerous branch
es OF the manufacturing and mechanic arts.
IT ne VIII go into the interior, in the State of
Ohio, he Will there perceive the most aston
Ishng progress in agriculture, in the useful
arts, and IN all the Improvements 10 which
they both directly conduce. Then let him
cross over INTO my own, my iavorite State,
and contemplate the spectacle which is there
exhibited. lie will perceive numerous vii
ages, not large, but neat, thriving, and some
OF them highly ornamented many manuiac-
torres OF hemp, cotton, wool, and other arti-
Cles. In various parts of the country. and
especially in the Elkhorn region, an endless
succession Unnatural parks the forest thinned;
fallen trees aid underground cleared away
large herds and fockS feeding on luxuriant
grasses and interspersed with comfortable.
sometimes elegant mansions, surrounded by
extensive lawns. The honorable gentleman
from South Carolina says, that profitable
trade was carried on from the West, through
the Seleuda gap, in mules, horses. and other
! live stock, which has been checked bv the
| operation Of the tariff. II is true that such
trade was carried on between X entucky and
South Carolina, mutually beneficial TO both
parties hut, several years ago, resolutions,
| at popular meetings, in Carolina, were a.
dopied, not 70 purchase the produce of X en-
| lucky, by way Of punishment for her attach
mentto the tariff They must have suppos-
ed us as stupid as the sires of one Of the de
/ scripiions Of the stock, Of which that trade
consisted, If they imagined that their rcsolu-
tons would affect our pFincples.-O dro-
! yers cracked their whips, blew their horns
and passed the Seleuda gap, 10 other mar
kets, where better humOrs existed, and e.
Oual or greater DrOffe were made I haze