Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1832-04-18
CLAWS SPEECH,
IN DEFENCE OF THE AMERICAN SYSTEM
TCoNTINUED.]

February Cd, Sd and 9TH.
CONTINUED.
The subject of the American System was
brought up in 1920, by the bill reported by
the Chairman of the Committee of Manufac-
lures. now member of the bench of the SUI
preme Court of the United States, and the
bill which they passed was defeated IN the
Senate. II was revived in 1924, the whole
ground carefully and deliberately explored
and the bill, then introduced, receiving all
The sanctions of the constitution, became the
law of the land. An amendment of the sys-
TEN was proposed in 1928, to the history OF
which refer with no agreeable recollectons.
The bill of that year, in some OF its provisions,
was framed on principles directly adverse to
The declared wishes of the friends of the pol
|icy of protection. have heard (without
souching for the fact that it was so framed,
upon the advise of a prominent citizen, now
abroad, with the view Of ultimately defeating
the bill, and with assurances that, beng alto
gether unacceptable to the friends of the A.
merican System, the bill would be lost. Be
that as it may, the most exceptionable features
of the bill were stamped upon 1t, against the
earnest remonstrances of the friends Of the
system, by the votes of Southern members,
upon principle, think, as unsound in legis-
lation as it is reprehensible in ethics. The
bill was passed, Notwithstanding, it having
been deemed better to take the bad along with
the good it contained, than reject it altogether.
Subsequent legislation has corrected very
much the error then perpretrated, but still
that measure is vehementy denounced by
gentlemen who contributed to make it what it
was.
Thus, sir, has this great system of protec-
ton been gradually built, stone upon stone.
aud step by step, from the 4th of July, 1880,
down to the present period. In every stage
of its progress it has received the deliberate
sanction of Congress. A vast majority of the
people of the United States has approved,
and continues to approve it. Every Chief
Magistrate of the United States, from Wash
lngton to the present, in some form or other,
has given to it the authority of bis name, and
however the opinions OF the existing President
are interpreted South of Mason's and Dixon's
line on the North they are, at least, understood
to favor the establishment eff Judicious tar
if.
The question, therefore, which we are call
ed upon to determine, is not whether we shall
establish new and doubtful system Of policy,
Just proposed, and for the first time presented
to our consideration; but whether we shall
break down and destroy a 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
rcvered authorities. And are we not bound
deliberately to consider whether we can pro-
coed to this work of destruction without vi
oation of the public faith! The people of
the United States have Justly supposed that
the policy of protecting their industry, against
foreign legislation and foreign industry, was
fully settled, not by single act, but by repea-
ted and deliberate acts of Government. per
formed at distant and frequent intervals. hi
full confidence that the policy was firmly and
nnchangeably fixed, thousands upon thousands
have invested their capital purchased vast
amount of real and other estate, made perma:
nent establishments, and accommodated their
industry. Can we expose to utter and ire
trievable ruin this countless multitude, without
Justly mourning the reproach of violating the
national faith?
shall not discuss the constitutional ques-
ton. Without meaning any disrespect to
those who raise it, if it be debateable, it has
been sufficiently debated. The gentleman
frcm South Carolina suffered it to fall uunotic-
ed 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 forgotten
it, when he again addressed the Senate, and,
by sort of protestation against any conclusion
from his silence, put forth the Objection
The recent Free trade Conventin at Phila-
delphia, it is we'll known, was divided on the
question, and although the topic is noticed in
their address to the public, they do not avo7c
their own belief that the American System
is unconstitutional, but represent that such is
the opinion of respectable portions OF the A.
merican People. Another address to the Peo-
pie of the United States, from Il high source,
during the past year, treating this subject,
does not assert the opinion of the distinguished
author, but states that of others to be that II
is unconstitutional. From which infer that
he did not, himself believe it demonstrations
al.