Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-06-26
SPEECH OF


MIR. M'DUFFiE, OF =. CAROLINA.
Ot The bill proposing reduction Of The duties on
imports.
DELIVERED THE HOUSE, OF REPRESENTATIVES,, MAY
IS, 1882.
Mr. McDuIie rose. aud said suppose, sir, to sub
NIT some explanations, in addition To those already
presented, in different form, oi the views and prin-
ciples which Induced the Committee of Ways and
Means To report tue present b adjustment OF the
great subject of the tariff. l must, however in the
outset, canddly acknowledges that l have not the
least elimmering OF nope that any thing may utter
at this time, which any human being can advance
in this Hail. will inhmce the majority To adopt the
measure proposed, or amy other measure found
ed on similar principles Nay. sir, am reluctantly
compelled to go still farther. Although have been
disposed hope against hope. that Provi-
dcntal coincidence ot circumstances might yet inter
vene TO incline the hearts OF The majority TO justice.
and lead their deliberations TO some proptous result
yet the dcvelopcmrnts and the experience of every
day have rendered ii and apparent that all
such expectations are utterly vain and dclusive. AS
TO any adjustment of this great question: therefore.
which shul give tranquility TO the public mind and
restore the broken harmony of this Unou my final
hope is Hat despair" Under these circumstances, il
may singular, but it is nevertheless true, that il
Is precisely because do not hope TO produce con-
vicon upon the minds of this committee, and have
no expectation that this great question will be adjust
ed here, that am more particularly anxious 10 set
forth, in the cearcst and most distinct manner the
principles which will govern me, and, as believe,
those who are associated with me. well as the
State in common represent, in all the vicssiludeS
of tins great contest for our unalienable rights Sir
II is raIH 1t is worse than vain, to attempt TO put by,
TO cvade or 10 paltcr with this question IL can no
longer be disguised, that there does exist under the
unjust aud oppressive legislation of Congress, aud
without any agency of Providence to that eif.c ct a
icalhosiiliiy of interests betw en- the 40 yrea, sinh
DIVISIONS OF this confederacy. And il the power of
me majority, and not their of Justice is TO de-
cue Tue present controversy, it will he impossible
ever 10 reconcile these conflicting interests. Such
heing the case, God only knows what is to be the end
Oh TINS great political drama. One thing is certain
an eventtul political is at hand and whether il
snail DE signazed by the civil triumph or by the ca
Oh constitutional liberty, history will record
that triumph or that catastrophe, and po,erty will
pronounce Judgment on the authors of il.
na' my views and principles may be understood
anu appreciated by that august tribunal, and that the
record winch history shall make up, may present the
true issue between the two great cun,ending parties
ehe oPpressors and the oppressed, l will attempt be-
ore lake my seat TO demonstrate how grievous are
'!e wrongs we have too patiently endured, aud no
tending.
But, before l proceed to examine the inequality
anu gross injustice of this combined system of taxa
ton and protection shall ask the attention of The
committee TO a brief exposition of my views as 10
'ne amount OF revenue which, under existing circum-
stances, deem expedient to provide for derayine
.ne necessary and proper expenses OF ills Govern
In deciding this question: there is no better creri-
"" " whch we can resort than the average expendi-
lures oil former period, which all acknowledge
I
ioSi' our army was reduced from TO peace
establishment. From the year following this reduc-
uon TO the close of Mr.. Aonroe's administration in
1914 inclusive have made calculation of the ave.
rage expenses OF this Gove.pment for all objects
both permanent and contingent; and the result IS
'lat these expenses amounted annually to less sum
than ten millions of dollars. Many of those who
near ne me VIII bear me out when Isay, that, when
hrs' TOOK my seat in this body regarded as very
extravagan in my notions in regard to the public
pendture because justified the expenditures of that
administrations. Sir, Mr.. Monroes administration
was denounced by large party in this country for
lis extravaganza. III was accused of preparing the
way for great and splendid Government instead of
regarding those principles of economy lai,i down pv
Tue fathers OF our political church. did not think
SO lhen, aud do not think now and shall hail
me day wheh the present any future administration
snail bring back the expenses Of Government to the
annual sum OF ten millions, which believe to be an
ample provision tor all the exgences Of the country
But SIR so lar from wishing TO dsmante our fortified
Tons suffer the navy 10 rot upon the docks and leave
The nation entirely defenceless as has been
ed IN report recently offered 10 the House am for
maintaining all the institutions of the country on n
respectable footing, and am willing and have ever
been willing 10 raise whatever amount of revenue
may be necessary for that purpose though am aware
even by this bill.
The essential institutions of the country are the ar
my, The navy, and the civil establishments These
regart as indispensable; hold them to he necessary
al all tunes, III peace and in war Tor fully recoguiz.
The truth of the maxim, that the best ay TO
peace, is 10 be prepared for Now sir, durinp
the last three years of Mr.. Monroes administration
was denounced, as have said for its extravaganza
and yet the total annual expenditure for an army tbe
navy, and the civil list, amounted during those wear,
To less than seven millions Of dollars 1 reneai II
sir enPbaucaily, that, when army was more fiji
elenf ITS ranks better filled, and its officers as hume
rous and competent as they now are The annual ex
penses OF the Government for these three objects
less than seven millions of dollars. When you add
10 THIS The expenditure for the Indian Departmen.
and Tor other objects of miscellaneous kind each
amounting TO little upwards of half million il
VIII be found, that exclusive of PENSIONS the whole
average expenditure of the u States dnrino those
years amounted TO but little more than So 600. 600
Assuming this rs basis, and am satisfied that the
amount VIII be more than sufficient especially as our
tort'hcatfons are nearly completed (and hone never
hereafter 10 see more than $500 900 annually expend-
Gu upon 'hem j and as the Improvement of our navy
yards also are Learly completed affirm that more
than eight millions OF dollars will not be annually re-
qhIreu Tor OBJECTS OF permanent nature.
linen, as TO pensions, shall conine nv views in
me nrs' place, to the laws they stand and not
as II has been proposed to extend them During The
three years have mentioned, the pension list was
very large; since then, however the number of nen
sloners has been rapidly diminished by death So
mat whereas, IN 1922, tile expended on this oh
Ject was nearly two millions il is now less than
nl'IIon, notwithstanding the great number of pen
put upon the roll by spe cal acts o Con
Sress and the relaxed rules of The War Department
IL may fdirly be presumed, calculating upon the
prooaOie mortality among men, none of them less
han seventy years of age that in the course of some
five years this branch of e1penditure ,riIJ bo - d.,
edto very inconsiderable sum-
II is TO be remarked, that after having off tho NH
nc debt, there will be large surpus NOT ess liza,
eight or ten millions, of the income of The wear 1890
because the income Of that year will be nrinc;noy
ueriVed from duties which accrued during the pre-
sent year, under the existing tariff Mopeover a,
the proposed reduction of dut;. 70