Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-03-22

of duties OIL rival foreign fabrics. Did
they create that great trust' Did they
voluntarily subject themselves to this self
restriction, that the power should remain
in the Federal Government, inactive, un-
executed, and lifelessi MIR. Madison,
at the commencement Of the Government,
told you otherwise. In discussing, at that
early period, this very subject, he de-
clarcd that failure to exercise this pow
er would be 'fraud' upon the Northern
States, to which may now be added the
Middle and w estern States.
\ Governor Miller asked to what ex-
preston of Mr.. Madison's opinion Mr.
Clay referred; and Mr. G. replied, his
opinion, expressed in the House of Re-
presentatives, in 1889, as reported in
Lloyd's Congressional Debates.
4 Gentlemen are greatly deceived as to
the hold which this system has in the al-
fcctions of the People of the U. States.
They represent that it is the policy of n.
England, and that she is most benefited.
If there be any part of this Union which
has been most steady, most unanimous,
and most determined in its support, it is
Pennsylvania. Why is not that power
fu State attacked Why pass her over,
and aim the blow at New-England?-
New England came, reluctantly Into the
policy. In 1924 IA majority of her dele
cation was opposed to it. From the lar
gest State of New-England there was
but solitary vote in favor OF the BILL
That enterorising People canreadiy ac-
commodate their industry to any policy,
provided, it be settled They supposed
this was fixed, and they submitted to the
DEGREES of Government. And the pro-
gress of public opinion has kept pace
with the Development of the benefits Of
the system. Now, all New-Eng land, at
least in this House, with the exception
! of one small, still voice. is in favor Of the
system. In 1924 all Maryland was a
gainst it; now, the majority is for it
! Then, Louisiana, with one exception,
was opposed to it; now, without any ex-
ception, she is in favor oft. The march
! ofpublic sentiment is to the South. Vir-
! ginia will be the next convert; and, in
/ less than seven years, if there be no OBJ
stacIes from political causes, or prejudi-
ces industriously instilIed, the majority
Of Eastern Virginia will be, as the ma
jority Of Western Virginia now is, in ia
vor of the American System. North
Carolina will follow later, but not less
certainly. Eastern Tennessee is now in
favor Of the system. And, finally, its
doctrines will pervade the whole Union,
and the wonder will be, that they should
ever have been opposed.
L have now to proceed to notice some
objections which have been urged against
the resolution under consideration. With
respect to the amendment, Which the
gentleman from South Carolina had Of
tered, as he has intimated his purpose to
modify it, shall forbear, for the present,
to comment upon it. 1t is contended that
the resolution proposes the repeal Of du-
ties on luXuries, leaving those on neces-
saries to remain, and that it will, there
fore, relieve the rich, without lessening
the burthens Of the poor. And the gen
tleman from South Carolina has careful
ly selected, for ludicrous effect, num-
ber ofthe unprotected articles, cosmetics,
perfumes, oranges, &c. must say, that
this exhibition of the gentleman is not in
keeping with the candor which he has
generally displayed; that he knows very
well that the duties upon these articles
are trifling, and that it is of little conse-
quence whether they are repealed or re-
tanned. Both systems, the American s.
the foreign, comprehend some articles
which may be deemed luxuries. The
IL hot hn 81 cd
cles which yield the principal part of the
revenue, with which this measure would
dispense, are coffee, tea, spices, wines,
and silks. OF all these articles, wines
and silks alone can be pronounced to be
luyurles; and, as to wines, we have al
ready ratified treaty, not yet promulga-
ted, by which the duties on them are to
be considerably reduced. 1.-THE univer-
salty of the use OF objects consumption
determines their classification, coffee, tea,
and spices, in the present condition of
civilized society, may be considered ne
cessaries. Even if they were luxuries,
why should not the poor, by cheapening
their prices, if that can be effected, be
allowed to use them? Why should not a
poor man be allowed to tie silk hand
kerchief on his neck, occasionally regale
himself with a glass of cheap French
wine, or present his wife or daughter with
a silk gown, to be worn on Sabbath or
gala days' l am quite sure that l do not
msconstrue the feelings of the gentle
mans heart, in supposing that he would
be happy to see the poor, as well as the
rich, moderately indulging themselves in
these innocent qualifications. For one,
| am delighted to see the condition ofthe
poor attracting the consideration Of the
opponents of the tariff. 1t is for the