Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-03-15
WHOLE NO. lOZ.


doubtful system Of policy, just proposed,
and for the first time presented to our
consideration; but whether we shall break
down and destroy long established
system, patiently and carefully built up,
and sanctioned, during series Of years,
again and again, by the nation and its
highest and most revered authOrities.-
And are we not bound deliberately to
consider whether we can proceed to this
work of destruction without violation of
the public faith? The people ofthe Uni
ted States have Justly supposed that the
policy Of protecting Their industry against
yJoreien Legislation and foreign industry,
was fully settled, not by single act, but
by repeated and deliberate acts of Gov
ernmcnt, performed at distant and fre-
qucnt intervals In full confidence that
the policy was firmly and unchangeably
fixed, thousands upon thousands have in
vested their capital, purchased a vast a.
mount OF real and other estate, made per-
mancnt establishments, and accommodate
ted their industry. Can we expose to
utter and irretrievabe ruin this countless
multitude, without Justly incurring tho
reproach of violating the national faith?
] shall not discuss the constitutional
question. Without meaning any disre-
spcct to those who raise it, if it be do
batcabIe, it has been sufficiently deba-
ted. The gentleman from South Caro-
lima suffered il to fall unnoticed from his
budget; and it was not until after he had
closed his speech and resumed his seat,
that it occurred to him that he had for
gotten it, when he again addressed the
Senate, and, by sort of protestation a
gainst any conclusion from his silence,
put forward the objection. The recent
Free Trade Convention at Philadelphia,
it is well known, were divided on tho
questions; and althoug h the topic is no
ticed in their address to the public, they
do not drop their own belief that the A
mcrican System is unconstitutional, but
represent that such is the opinion Of
respectable portions oithe American peo-
pie. Another address to the people OF
the United States, from high source,
during the past year, treating this sub
jcct, does not assert the opinion Of tho
distinguished author, but states that Of
others to be that il is unconstitutional
From which infer that he did not, him.
self, believe IT unconstitutional.
Here the Vice President interposec,
and remarked that, if the Senator from
Kentucky alluded to him he must say
that his opinion was, that the measure
was unconstitutional.
When, Sir, contcnded with you, sido
by side, and with perhaps less zeal than
You exhibited, in 1916, did not then un-
derstand you to consider the policy for
hidden by the constitution
The Vice President again interpos-
ed and said that the constitutional ques-
ton was not debated at that time, and
that he had never expressed an opinion
contrary to that now intimatcd.
give wav with pleasure to these ex-
plantations, which l hope will always be
made when say any thing bearing on
the individual opinions of the Chair.
know the delicacy of the position, and
sympathisc with the incumbent, whoever
he may be. 1t is true, the question was
not debated in 1916; and why not! Be-
cause it was not debateable, It was then
believed not fairly to arise. 1t never has
been made, as distinct, substantial, and
leading point of objection. 1t never was
made until the discussion of the tariff Of
1929, when il was rather hinted at, az
against the spirit ofthe constitution, than
formally announced, as being contrary to
the prov isions of that instrument. What
was not dreamt of before, or in, 1916,
and scarcely thought of in 1924, is now
made, by excited imaginations, to assume
the imposing form OF serious constltu-
tional barrier.
Such are the origin, duration, extent,
and sanctions of the policy which we arc
now called upon to subvert. Its beneh-
cial effects, although they may vary in
degree, have been felt in all parts Of tho
Union. To none, | verify believe, has
it been prcjudcial. To the North, cve-
nv where, testimonies are borne to tho
high prosperity which it has ditt'uscd.-
There, all branches of industry are ami
mated and flourishing. Commerce, TO-
reign and domestic, active; cities and
towns springing up, enlarging and beau
tifying; navigation fully and proiitably
employed, and the whole face OF the
country smiling with improvement, cheer
fulncss, and abundance. The gentle
man from South Carolina has supposed
that we, in the West, derive no advanta-
ges from this system. He Is mistaken.
Let him visit us, and he will find, from
the head of La Belle Riviero, at Pitts
burg, to America, at its mouth, the most
rapid and gratifying advances. He will
behold Pittsburg itself, Wheeling, Ports
! sM, Cloy has heen since reminded that the obs