The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-03-14
SPEECH OF HENRY CLAY,
In the Senate Of The United States, Feb q
81, and 9Th,


IN DEFENCE OF THE AMERICAN SYSTEM.
Mr. CLAY rose and addressed the Senate sub
stantally as follows;
In one sentiment Mr.. President, expressed by
the honorable gentleman from South Carolina,
General HAYNE) though, perhaps, not in the
sense intended by him, entirely concur. | agree
with him, that the decision on the system of policy
embraced in this debate involves the future desti-
ny of this growing country. One way, verify be-
lieve, it would lead to deep and general distress !;
general bankruptcy and national ruin, without ben
eft to any part of the Union The other the ex-
listing prosperity will be preserved and augmented,
and the nation will continue rapidly to advance
IN wealth, power, and greatness without prejudice
TO any section of the Confederacy.
Thus viewing the question, | stand here as the
humble, but Jealous advocate, not of the interests
of one State or States only but of the whole
Union And never before have | felt, more in
tensely, the overpowerlng weight of that share of
responsibility which belongs 10 me in these DELHI
eratons. Never before have had more occasion,
than now have, to lament my want of those in
telectual powers, the possession of which might
enable me to unfold to the Senate, and to illus
trate to this People, great truths intimately con-
nected with the lasting welfare of my country. !
should, indeed, sink, overwhelmed and subdued
beneath the appalling magnitude of the task which
lies before me, if did not feel myself sustained
and fortified by thorough consciousness of the
business OF the cause which have espoused and
by persuasion, hope not presumptuous, that it
has the appreciation of that Providence who has SO
often smiled upon these United States.
Eight years ago, it was my painful duty to pre-
to the other House of Congress, an unexagcer-
rated picture of the general distress pervading the
whole lari. We must all yet remember some of
its frightful features. We all know that the Peo
pie were then oppressed and borne down by an
enormous load of debt that the value of property
was at the lowest point of depression that ruin
sales and sacrifices every where made
of real estate; that stop laws and relief laws and
paper money were adopted to save the People
from impending destruction that deficit in the
public revenue existed, which compelled Govern
ment to seize upon, and divert from its legitimate
object, the appropriation to the sinking fund, Ia
redeem the National debt and that our commerce
and navigation were threatened with a complete
para ysis. In short, sir, if | were to select any
term of years since the adoption Of the pres
ent CONSTITUTION, which exhibited scene of the
most wide spread dismay and dcsolaton, il would
be exactly that term Of seven years which imme.
diately preceded the establishment of the tariff o.
1924.
have now perform the more pie asng task o
exhibiting an imperfect sketch of the existing
state Of the unparalleled prosperity of the country
On general survey, we behold cultivation *
tended the arts ourshing, the face Of the oountr,
improved, our people fully and proftably employ
ed, and the public countenaGce exhibiting tran
quillty, contentment and happiness. And, if We
descend into particulars, we have the agreeabl,
contemplation of people out Of debt; land rsin,
slowly in value, but in Il secure. and sllutary de
greej ready, though not extravagant market TO
all the surplus productions of our industry; innu
merable hocks aud herds browsing and gambollin.
on ten Thousand hills and plains covered with rio!
and verdant grasses cities expanded, an,
whole villages springng up as ii were by enchant
mentj our exports and imports increased and in