The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-08-08
From the .Ne,1 York American.
SPIRITED DEBATE.
Extract Of a letter from Washington.

Z
legislative assembly. In the Senate III
proceeding on the Tariff having been mar
rowed TO some points at issue with tn,
House Of Representatives as to giving
larger protection to some articles, but prin
cipally to woollens, of from so TO 81 pc
cent (seUen per cent. being the point in dis
pule) and both Houses insisting, the onl,
remedy was 10 have deputation from boti
TO meet and thy 10 adjust all matters in dis
pute. Mr.. wilkins of Pennsylvania, ac.
cordingly moved for conference, which
was ordered and, as the nover, he was
named thereon, on the part of the Senate
with Mr.. Dirherson of New Jersey, who
although a high jackson party man, was
also considered high Tariff man. from his
course, up to that period. Mr.. Hayne, as
opposed to the whole protective system, was
most strangely selected with them: but his
nomination was acceded 10 10y the majority
in the Senate, going for the highest rates
of duties, simply because, at the time, they
believed that they were in no danger :
Wilkins unh Dickerson, if true to the
cause, comprising majority against his
voice in the conference. They met ac-
cordingly those appointed by the House
OF Representatives, and scarcely had they
met when rumors, loud and Deep" with
the exultiEg remarks of the Anti -TaiIff
members announced there was something
unexpected about to occur. We had been
too much excited by other topics during
the week to dream of what did happen.
A little time, however, very soon explain
ed all. The conference from the Senate
had resolved to recommend to the Sem
ato hot thov ohanlI 10
every of their amendments, to the dismay
and Interpretation of those 10y whom the
trus; had i'een delegated to the committee
to uphold the interests of the American
System. A very short time too disclosed hy
whom it was betrayed. But the public will
hardly credit that, in the face of innumera-
BILE protestations of devotion 10 the cause,
and in direct opposition to positive instruc-
tons from his own State, not to permit the
interests of the American System to be
attacked in detnil, &C., Mr.. .Hilkins of
Pennsylvania, was the faithless agent to
whom the whole may justly he attributed,
as appeared 10y the developments suisse
quently made in the debate. The confer
ence returned and made their report, in
substance to recede. A motion to post
pone indefinitely, as the least of evils, was
forthwith made by Mr.. Bell, whose re-
marks were piqnant enough to rouse the
pllegmatic Mr.. Dickerson to attempt some
justification Of the course of the committee.
He admitted that it was his conviction that
woollens, and many other articles, were not
sufficiently protected, and said he mad OPP
posed all he could, the opinion of the ma
joriy of the Senate's committee to recede.
This laff liIfla DAMMIT n tn, The,
whence the whole had proceeded. But, to
make assurance sure, and to fix the honor
of The stigma where it ought to rest, Mr..
Clay rose, and after commenting on the ar
Engagement as destructive TO the woolen
and American interests generally, and re-
marking how little such a course was TO he
expected from those who went into the com
miitee with the avowed determination to
protect those interests, he desired to know
by whose votes the Arrangement was made
or who it was that could so quickly veer
about, ms not even, which they were in hon
or hound to do, to consult the persons who
sent them as ncgotiators. He could not
conceal his feeling of disappointment, that
SO many great interests of the country were
sacrificed, and surrendered too, without Il
struggle, in defiance Of the wishes of the
Senate and the country would Demand
some explanation of the subject. Mr.. Will
kins forthwith felt the responsibility, and
rose 10 throw off the mask. " concurred
in the vote" said he: will that satisfy the
gentleman" mo! indeed, it will never
satisfy me-" replied Mr.. G. in a tone and
manner, which was rec chned by the evident
feelings of Senate crowded almost TO suf-
location. Well them" said Mr.. Wilkins,
81 hope the gentleman will he as little salts
fed with other matters;' and he proceeded
TO say. that he had abandoned the amend
meDts in the committee, because he did not
wish TO abandon the bill; that the abandon
ment as to woollens, was in effect hut little,
&C.; that his opinions as TO the necessity of
the protective systemwere as strong asthat OF
Mr.. Clay but he thought reduction should
be made upon every article alike. He de-
clared that he was Responsible to his con.
stitdents, not to the Senator from Kentucky,
and although he had not spoken SO long, SO
often, or SO loudly on the subject, because
he had no other objects in view than the
interests of his country, he was perfectly
satisfied with the hili,and he would not there
fore vote 10 postpone it. Mr.. Clay rose.
and after expressing his surprise ut this
avowal and ut the tone in which his ques-
ton had been answered, MS not warranted
by any thing which fell from him, he de-
minded from the Senator an explanation
and to say openly in the face Of the Senate,
whether he meant to insinuate That he
(Mr. C.l had, in his course on the Tariff
been actuated by motives other than those
of the public good.
This prompt demand was most reluctant
ly met. .l.l
MIR. Wilkins declared his conviction that
the Senator from KY. was actuated in the
proceedings by sincere motives of public
good but that there might be other oh
jects, land which might not conflict with that
public good which was involved IN the bill,
on which the Senator might without i'm
proper imputation set his wishes.
Mr. Clay remarked that this was not The
kind of explanation honorable men made Il
one another. He called on the Senator
again to explain.0 aiftJ -.s.sIN
be- Mt. W. retained his sent. Vs.. se.
Then, said Mr.. Clay, in the face Of til,
Senate, tellthe Senator from Pennsyva
mia. that if directly or indirectly lie assert
that in my course, have been actuatcI h,
motives other than the public good, he saw
that which is not true. m d
Mr.. Tazewell, the acting President 9th,
Senate, here called Mr.. Clay TO order, nm,
said ,ha, Mr.. Wilkins had disavowed sue
| imputatlon. .nNr tEq atl au.1si5,
Mr.. Clay denied that he had done 40. n
an honorable man ought to have done, fol-
and unequivocally, Be-; for he had distinct