Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-03-15
CONGRESSIONAL.


SPEECH OF MIR. TYLER OF VIRGINIA.
On The subject Of Mr. C2dys Resolutions proridig TO,
reduction Of The duties on in,ports-Delirered in
the Senate Of The United States February 9, 1882
Mr. TYLER said, that if he permitted TO consult his
personal feelings, he should remain silent His state OF
health, which had been but of late improved as
enable him to his seat in the Senate admonshed
him to silence. But he could reconcile il to himself
to remain a looker-on here in Venice while this
great question: deeply and vitality affecting the interests
The enduring happiness of America, under discussion.
lie owed something to HIMSELF but much the State
which he had the honor in part 10 represent 1t did
seem to him TO be proper that the sentiments of Virginia
should be withheld at crisis momcnous. He should
therefore, give free uerance TO his opinions and in doing
So he believed himself TO be representing, fairly and hon
estly the sentiments and opinions of his native State.
Tho honorable Senator from Kentucky (Mr Claw had
drawn glowing picture of the condition of the country
He had spoken of this the golden age of these conlcde
rated States BY the magic of his eloquencc he had
ported us TO what with classical taste, he pleased TO
call La Belle Rviere and, sailing its stream, he
pointed out to smiling, animated sceneyillages rising
up in endless succession its banks while the arts
ghily meeting at every step. From thence he led
INTO the interior oil his State, and there again all
beautiful and entcing Widely extended lawns-aninat-
ed grovesand hills, covered with numberlcs ocks All
gay-ail was beauiiiul--all enchanting. He then
translated 10 the NORTH and again stood in fairy
land Here ourshed the arts, and the buzz of industry
arose from numberlcss villagesand finally, touch oil
with still deeper tint the glowing scene, he pointed that
great mart OF commerce, the city of N Yorkthe modern
Tyre But the hon. Senator here stopped-hs pencil fell
from his hands, when he turned to the SOUTH and she
not found upon his canvass. Where her rising
towns-where her lawns her animated groves and
living hills said she was not ON his canyassoI mistake
she there, but she cnveloped in gloom. She
had venurcd to utter compains-to put forth her griev
ances respectfully but strongly and she scowled upon
-reprehcnded uttering unfounded complaints-ener
tanning unwise opinions and advocating system which
would recoionise Aerica. IT the Senate could see no.
thing in all this TO justify complaint then indeed
fairly subject TO reproach What sr could that fer
vid and glowing fancy create animated spond
oasis in the wilderness OF GLOOM which to rest? How
this, Mr. President! Is there any thing i'm SOIL
in climate, position, to explain III Do we sow and not
parb rptu IN ,elI fn har
arvess! Comparisons said TO be odous; but only fol-
low in the footsteps of Others and rely upon citations which
have already been made in this debate Look Mr. Gees
pamphlet OF $780, upon which the honorable Senator so
strongly Relied urging upon the British Government the
adoption OF policy which would prohibit the OF ma
chinery in the colonies and compel them take the
uactured goods of the mother country. That writer
dwells with apparent delight the profitable exchanges
which would be carried with the souhhere would be
raised the richest products in the state which would be
exchanged for the costly manufactures OF England OF the
north, that writer speaks in terms of opprobum and
umey 'The cast-of rags would do for the north New
England and the northern colonies have not commodities
and products enough 10 send for their
ny clothing, but under great difficulties, and
any ordinary sort will sell with them And when they
have grown out of fashion with they fashion,
ed enough there" Mark you, Mr. President this not
my language; II is the language of the pamphlet introduce
cd and read by the honorable Senator from Kentucky
beg leave give you an anecdoe which is said TO have
occurred the table of General Washington shortly after
the adoption OF the federal constitution do not vouch
Tor it, but have often heard it mentioned by others The
party consisted of several southern gentlemen, and one
dwelling the benefits which would arise from the adop
ton OF the consttuonhe portrayed the countless bcs
sings which ii would bring TO the southdwet its rich
productions and tile profitable interchange which it would
carry with all parts OF the world. At length turning
to his northern friend, he inquired, ''bu what will the
north do;' The brief and aconc answer was GIVE will
live by wits And well has this reply been realized
by their wits they have acquired much of the wealth which
properly appertans TO genial climate richer
soil Their ingenuity has brought forth useful inventions
Tor the benefit OF mankind hardy Industrious enterpr-
sing, they have, in the pursuit of ioune roamed over
distant hands, and braved the terors OF the mighty deep
The compliment paid them by Edmund Burke ON the Br
fish Parliament was every way deserved. Every south
reoiced in their prosperity long as it was the
result of their ndeiatigable industry Even their
wooden nutnegs excited but smile, and nothing more
They may for me, make trade and profit OF all their no
tionS except their tariff notions. Against that do pro-
test with all my strength But let return TO the course
OF my inquiry How comes now about, that while the
south impoverished, the north has suddenly become so
rich! Why it, that while the north dressed in rich
and gave attire the cdst-oB rags will do for the sou
This is the great subject OF nqury and shall prosecute
II with patience, and, trust with Il becoming temper
The honorable Senator from Kentucky has told Won that
Virginia benefited by the tariff than any other
State in the Union In breath he has dweIt upon the
large amount OF our export OF bread stu and in the next
has told us OF deserted farms and abandoned housesof
families which have gone into decay, and OF younger
theirs flying to the West. Why the younger brother
should fly to the west and not the elder the descent
law operates equally on all, cannot tell-but let that
pass Ii our exports are very arge and excellent
market is provided in the NORTH then farms ought still
to be culvated-prosperity should still be ours and our
Nor these results flow from the abolition of the law
OF primogeniture. Mr.. Clay explained. He had said
that the ancient seats of the great families of Virginia had
into decay from the abolition of the law of primoge-
nture and he had instanced Shirley, Nestoycr sci Mr.
Tyler had understood the honorable Senator and the re-
mark was undeniably true, to some extent, although
not iii reference TO the particular estates alluded
to-. speak of the effect of the abolition of the law
OF prmOgeniture upon the aggregate mass of produce
ton 1t has expelled the spirit of aristocracv from
among us and has substituted in place of it, the spirit of
a bold and fearless and unbcnding rcpubicanism And
can say, with perfect truth, that the wide world does not
The following is the passage in MIR. Clly's speech, to
which Mr.. T. aludes:
owe have been told of deserted castles of unnhaited
halls and OF mansions, the opuencc and hos
pality, abandoned and Wondering i'm ruins never
heard and read of the stories of its chvary and of its gc-
nerous and open hearted beraiy. have heard too OF
the struggles for power between tie lower and upper
country. The which existed i'm Virginia
with which have been acquainted, presume have had
their influence in Carolina In whose hands now are the
once proud seats OF Wesovcr Curl, Maycox Shirley,
and others, on James river and in lower Virginia. Under
the operation OF laws abosng the principle of primoge-
nturc and providing the equitable rule of equal dsr-
button OF estates among those in equal degree of
guiny they have passed into other and stranger hands
Some OF the descendants OF iusrous families have gone
TO the far West whilst others, Hgerng behind have
rased their present condition with that Of their venerated
anccstors.They behold themselves excluded from their
fathers houses in the hands Of those who were once
their fathers sinking into decay; their ina
gnaons paint ancient renOwn, the fading honos OF their
name glorcs gone by TOO poor live proud TO work
too high minded and honorable resort to onobe means
OF acquisition brave daring, chivaroUs what can be the
Of their present unhappy stae' The "accufsed" Ia
riff presents itself 20 their excited imapnatons and thew
I ..fs rtfah uIg fln ~ofn a.