The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-03-27
SPEECH OF Mr.. FELIX GRUNDY,
(or rEnSEssEE.)
On MR. CLAY!S Resolution in relation
10 Tie Tariff.


Resa,vtd, Tha, tho existing duties upon or
tclss imported from foreign countries, and
r,t coming into competition with similar o.
tiele.. ms5e or produced within the United
States, ought 20 be forthwith abolished, ex-
ccp, the duties on wines and silks, and that
they ought 10 be reduced.
Resolved. That the Committee on Finance
Ieports bill accordingly.
Ma. PRESIDENT
am aware, tha, I can contribute but
little of talent or information upon the
subject now under discussion and, that
most Of what shall say, will be dull,
cold repetition Of that which has been
better said by others. Notwithstanding
this, have no apology to offer for con-
sumiug the time Of the Senate. Sir, we
ought To consume time--we ought to con-
sul, long together; nor should we ever
separate until this whole matter is ad-
justed. Oar constituents expect it (; the
Executive has recommended il; duty de-
n,ands it; and the fault is ours, if 1t be
not accomplished. When it is recolect-
ed, that the people Of the United States
have borne adversely of every kind, both
IN peace aud in war, with courage, for
titude, and perseverance. shall we so act
rs TO exhibit to the world the strange but
melancholy spectacle Of discords and
strifes, arising out Of the very success cfI
our government aud tho prosperity of
our country, which shall endanger our
existence as nation We are at peace
with all nations, and, from present APP
pearances, are likely to remain so the
public debt is extinguished for all practi-
allegislative purposes and, at this time,
when gladness should pervade the land,
and every American heart rejoice, there
is more discomfort than nt the most
gloomy aud distressing periods of our
history. Are the causes Of the COM
plants which we hear feigned and un-
founded or are they real; and is the
hnnd of oppression bearing heavily upon
that portion Of our countrymen who are
now urging their claims for reliefl-
They believe system oftaxation, un-
just, unequal, and oppressive in its OPP
erations is to be continued and fastened
upon them: not for the support of the
government, which is the only legitimate
object Of taxation; but, in order, that n
particular class Of men may be benefited
by their labor that their prosperity is to
be checked, and their labor rendered
unproductIve to them, that capital vested
in manufactures may be rendered more
profitable 10 the owners Entertaining
this opinion, they are surely right in re-
curing Congress now to take this SUBJ
iec, into consideration, and to grant re-
lief, so far MS they aro entitled 10 it. NoI
time can bo so proper as the present,
when we are about TO establish n system
OF finance suitable To nation FREE FROM
DEBT and all incumbrance. II seems to
me, that it is likewise the interest of the
E manufacturers, that this controversy
should be brought TO close. There is
one kind Of protection, which they ccr-
tainly need; that is, some security u
gainst frequent legislative changes on
this subject. Stability and permaneDcy
in the system, is Of more importance
than any protection you can extend to
them, when that protection is held by an
uncertain and precarious tenure. In or
der to give this security tho taxes upon
the community must he reasonable (; If
they be not, nothing can be more certain
than, that period will arrive when n
change will be effected, and under cir
cums,ances and feelings least favorable
10 their interests. If the community, or
any great portion oft, be oppressed, and
no disposition be manifested by those
who profit by that oppression to alleviate
their suiierings, but little regard will he
paid to their welfare. This is the natu-
raj course of things, and no class ofmen
can claim an exemption from it.
To the argument, that Congress ough.
not TO reduce the taxes on protected ar
tIc!es, because existing laws have induc-
cd men to employ their capital in these
establishments, the answer is plain one.
Every man who has thus invested his
money, must have looked TO the proba-
bili,y Of n reduction oftaxes and imposts
whenever the public debt should be dis
charged, and the government should no
longer need the money accruing from
high duties. In addition to this, those
upon whom this taxation has operated
with most severity, have at all times in
sisted upon its injustice, and avowed
their determination never 10 relax their
efforts until they obtained redress This
argument, therefore, loses much Of the
force TO whick~it would be entitled under
different circumstances. / cannot my
seif Consider the manufacturers rs au-
fhorized to claim continuance Of the
present duties on the ground Of any
pledge expressed or implied, given by the
government. Sill, these establishments
exist md shonld he regarded rs a portion