Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-02-03
WIZ. Clay's Speech.
In Senate Of the United States, Jan. IL.
PROTECTING DUTIES.


The following resolution, submitted by
Mr. CLAY on Monday last, being the
special order of the day, was taken up
for consideration
ReSOtved, That the existing duties up-
on articles imported from foreign coun-
tries, and not coming into competition
with similar articles made or produced
within the U. States, ought to be forth
with abolished, except the duties upon
wines and silks, and that those ought to
be reduced. And that the Committee
on Finance be instructed to report bill
accordingly.
The resolution having been read, Mr..
Ola rose and addressed the Senate, in
substance, as follows:
have few observations, Mr.. Presi-
dent, and only few, to submit to the
Senate, on the measure now before YOU:
in doing which have to ask all your in
diligence. L am getting old; l feel but
too sensibly and unaffectedly the effects
OF approaching age; and | have been, for
some years, very little in the habit fad-
dressing deliberative assemblies. | am
told that | have been the cause.-the
most unwilling cause, i'll have been, of
exciting expectations, the evidence of
which is around us. Iregret it, for how
ever the subject on which am to speak.
in other hands might be treated to graft
ty or to reward the presence and atten-
ton now given, in mine, | have moth
ing but plain, unvarnished and unam-
bilious exposition to make.
1t forms no part of my present purpose.
SAID Mr.. Z. to enter into the considera-
ton of the established policy of protec-
ton. Strong in the convictions, and
deeply seated in the affections of large
majority ofthe People of the U. States.
1t stands self-vindicated, in the general
prosperity, in the rich fruits which if
has scattered over the land, in the expe-
rience of all prosperous and powerful
nations present and past, and now, in
that OF our own. Nor do think it ne
cessary to discuss that policy on this reso-
luton. Other gentlemen may think
differently, and may choose to argue and
assail it. Ifthey do, 1 have no doubt
that, in all parts of the Senate, members
more competent than am, will be rea.
dy to defend and support it. MY object
now is to limit myself to a presentation
OF certain views and principles connected
with the present financial condition oftbe
country.
A consideration ofthe state of the pub.
lie revenue has become necessary in
consequence ofthe near approach Of the
entire extinction of the public debt and
concur with you, sir, in believing that
no season could be more appropriate than
the present session of Congress to endea-
vor to make satisfactory adjustment of
the Tariff. The public debt chiefly a.
rose out of the late war, justly denomi.
mated the second contest for National In
dependence. An act, commonly called
the sinking fund act, was passed by Con-
gress near fifteen years ago, providing for
Its reimbursement. That act was pre-
pared and proposed by friend of yours
and nine, whose premature death was
not loss merely to his native State. of
which he was one of its brightest orua.
mentS but to the whole nation. No man
with whom l ever had the honor to be
associated in the legislative councils
combined more extensive and useful in.
formation, with more firmness of iude-
ment and blandness of manner, than did
the lamented Mr.. Lowndes. And when.
in the prime of life, by the dispensation
oil an all-wIse Providence, he was taken
from US, his country had reason to anti
cipate the greatest benefits from his wis
dom and discretion. BY that act, an an
nual appropriation of ten millions of dol
lars was made towards the payment of
the principal and interest of the public
debt; and also any excess which might
yearly be in the Treasury, beyond two
millions of dollars, which it was tbouobt
prudent to reserve for unforeseen ext
gencies.
But this system of regular and period.
ical application Of public revenue to the
payment Of the public debt, would have
been unavailing, if Congress had neglect
ed to provide the necessary ways and
means. Congress did not, however, me-
glect the performance of that duty. Nv
various acts, and more especially by the
tariff of lS24-the abused tariff of 1894
the public Golfers were amply replen-
ished and we have been enabled to reach
our present proud eminence of financial
prosperity. After Congress had thus
abundantly provided funds, and directed
their systematical application, the dutv
remaining to be performed by the Execr.
tive was one simply ministerial.-And