Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-04-04
The C0ssps-0sss tse.


|" vnuc0non Of ias fhH, e5tfiLcd I" I'm oct 60
modify che ace Of the i%sh July, IsS2, and ~
other acts IMPOSING Dudes ea lmberfs."
The bill To modify tho tarif being under
consideration
Mr.. CLAr rose, In reply to Mr.. Webster,
and said: Being anxious, Mr.. President, that
this bill should pass, and pass this day. ] will
aoridgs rs much as l eau the observations
which ! am called upon to make. have
long, with pleasure aud pride, co-operatcd in
tho public service with the Senator from
Masszc husetts; aud have found him faithful,
enlightened and patriotic. have not parti-
Gle Of doubt As To the pure and elevated mo
tives which actuato him. Under these cir
cumstanccs, IL gives me deep and lasting re-
greet TO find myself compelled TO difer from
hun as To measure Involving vital interests,
and perhaps the safety OF tie Union. On
tho other hand, . derive great consolation
from finding myself on this occasion, in the
midst Of friends with whom I have long act
cd, IN peace and in war, and especially with
the honorable Senator from Maine, fMr.
!iolmes with whom ] had the happiness to
unite IN 4 memorable instance. II was i'm this
very chamber, that Senator presiding in the
committee Of the Senate, and I in the COM
mite Of twenty -four Of the House Of Repre-
scntati'es, on Sabbath-d day, that the terms
were adjusted, by which tia compromise
was effected Of the Missouri question. Then
the dark clouds that hung over our beloved
country were dispersed and now the thun-
dcrs from others not less thre atsning, and
which have been longer accommodating, will,
hope, roll over Us harmless aud without in
jury.
The Senator from Massachusetts objects
TO the bill uIder conslde ration on various
grounds. He argues that 1t imposes uniusti-
liable restraints on the power OF future legis-
mt han
aud that the details of the bill are practic ally
defective. lie does not object to the gradual,
but very incous,derable, reduction OF duties
whichis made prior 10 1912. To that he could
! not object; because il is species Of prospect
I've provision, as he admits, in conformity with
numerous prcecdcnts ON our statute book. tie
Toes not object SO och 10 the state Of the pro-
posed iaw prior To lS42, during period of nine
years; out, throwing himself forward To the
Termination Of that period, he contends that
Congress will then find itself under inconve-
n'ent shackles, imposed BY our indiscreiiou
In the first place, ] would remark, that the
bill contains no obligatory pledges il could
make none; none are attempted. The powe
over the subject 10 IN the constitution put
there by those who formed IL, aud liable ~
DO taken out only by amendment Of the
instrument. The next Congress, aud every
succeeding Congress, will undoubtedly have
tho potcsr o. repeal the law whenever they
may think proper. Whether they will exer-
else il or moi, will depend upon a sound discre-
| ton, applied 10 the state of the W hole coun-
i try, and estimating fairly the consequences OF
| the repeal, both upon the general harmony
i and common interests. Then, the bill is
founded an spirit Of compromise. Now, in
all compromises there must be mutual con.
cessions. The friends Of free trade Insist
that duties should be laid ia reference To reye.
nue. alone. The friends Of American industr,
say that another, il not paramount, object 10
laying them, should be To diminish tho con.
sumption OF foreign. and increase that Of dc
mestic products TN this point tho parties
divide, and, between these Two opposite
opinions, reconciliation is 10 be effected, il
II can DO accomplished. The bill assumes, a
. basis, adequate protection for nine years
aud less beyond that term. The friends Of
projections say TO their opponents, we are
willing TO take lie ase OF nine years, viii
the long chapter Of accidents boy opd that pc
riod, including the chance Of war, the rosto
ration Of concord, and along with il a conyic.
ton, common TO all, OF the utility Of prCtec
ton; add, in consideration Of il, il, in 1912
none OF these contingencies shall have been
realized, No are willing 10 submit, as long a,
Congress may think proper, 10 . maximum
rate Of 40 per cent. with the power Of di,
tons, and liberal list Of free articles, fol
the benefit Of the manufacturing interest,"
To these conditions, the opponents Of protec
ton are ready 70 Accedc. 7 he measure !.
what II processes TO be, q compromise but u
imposes and could impose no restriction upor
the Will or power Of future Congress. s.
Doubtless great respect will DO pad. as Il
ought 10 be paid, TO the serious condition Of
the country that has prompted the passage Of
this bill, Any future Congress that might
disturb this adjustment would act under q
high responsibility, but u would be eslIrsl,
within its eOmPetency 10 repeal, II Il thought
I proper, the whole bill
i u Is far from the objN ut Of those who sup.
port this bill 20 abandon or surrender the
policy u protecting American industry. IL.
protection or encouragement may DO accom-.
plished IN various ways ist BY bOuutses
as FAR a. they are within the constitutional
power of Congress 10 offer them. I'd n,
prohibitions, totally excluding tho foreign
RIVAL article. ID ny high duties, without ro-
gard to the aggregate amount Of revenue
which they produce. 18th. Ny discriminating
duties, 90 adjusted ~ % limit the revenue %
the economical wants q Government And
5ihly. BY the admission of the rev m3terizl
and articles essential 90 manufactures. free OF
duty. To which may be sdded cash duties
home valusiiOns. AMI the regulation Of anc-
lions perfect Jstefn Of protection would
comprehend mOst, n not eli these modes ot
s6yrdiog u. There might be, II this time. q
| pruhibitiOn 81 certain articles, (ardent spirits
aod c0arse eottons, for example, 10 public
advantage " there we're NOS inVets cate pre-
JUDGES and conflicting opioions prevailing
(and what statesman can totally disregard
impedIments Of that charscterD such . con.
pound system might be established.
Nov, Mr.. President, before the assertion is
made tina, the bill suTrenders the protective
policy, gentlemen should understand perfectly
what u does not, as we'll ss what q does pro-
pose. u impairs no power Of Congress over
The whole subject u contains no promae o.
pledge uhatever, espsess 90 implied, ~ Ia
bount'es, prohibitions, o. auctions; q does