Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1833-02-28
WHOLE NO. l52.


said Mr Clay, want harmohy--I wish to
see tie restoration OF those ties which
have carried us umphantly through two
wars. delight not in this perpetual
turmoil. let Ms have peace, and be-
come once more united as hand OF
brothers.
. !, may he said that the farming inter-
est cannot sEasist under twenty per
cent. ad valorem duty. His reply was,
Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof
IL" wou,d leave il 10 the day when the
reduction took effect, to settle the quess
ton. When the reduction takes place,
and The farmer cannot live under il, what
will he do? will tell you, said Mr. Clay,
what he ought to do. He might try
make fan experiment of it-and if he
cannot live under it, let him come here
and say that he is bankrupt and ruined.
If then nothing can be done tosrelieve
him--Sir, | will not pronounce the
words, for believe that something will
be done, and that relief will be afforded
without hazardng the peace and integri-
ty Of the Union. This Confederacy is an
excellent contriyance, but it must be
managed with dclicacy and skill. There
were an infinite variety of prejudice and
local interests to be regarded: but they
should all be made to yield to the Union.
II the system cannot lie continued, let
us try some intermediate system, before
we think of any other dreadful alterna-
tive. Sir, it will be said, on the other
hand-for the objections are made by the
friends ofprotection princiPaly-that the
time is too long; that the intermediate
reductions are too inconsiderable, and
that there is no guaranty that, at the end
OF the time stipulated, the reduction pro-
posed would be allowed to take Effect
In the first place should be recollected
the diversified interests Of the country
the measures Of the government which
preceded the establshmcn Mt of manulac-
tures-the public faith in some degree
pledged for their security; and the ruin
in which rash and heavy legislation
would involve them. He would not dis
pute about terms. 1t would not, in q
court of justice, be maintained that the
public faith was pledged for the protec-
ton Of Manufactures, but there were
other pledges which men Of honor are
bound by, besides those Of which the
law can take cogniZance.
five excite in our neighbor a reason
able expectation which induces him to
take particular course Of business; we
are in honor bound to redeem the pledge
thus tacity given. Can any man doubs
that a large portion Of our citizens be-
leved that the sy stem would be perma-
nent! The Whole country expected it.
The security against any change of the
system proposed by the bill, was in the
character of the bill, as a compromise be-
tween the two conflicting parties. lfthe
bill should be taken by common consent,
as we hope it will be-the history of the
revenue will be guaranty Of its perma-
nencc. The circumstances under which
it was passed will be known and recor-
ded-anG no one will disturb SYSTEM
which was adopted with view TO give
peace and tranquility to the country.
The descending gradations which he
proposed TO arrive at the minlmums OF
duties, must be gradual. He never
would consent to any precipitate opera.
ton to bring distress and ruin on ths
community.
Now, said Mr.. c. viewing it in this
light, it appeared that there were eight
years and half, and nine years and a
half taking the ultimate time which,
would be withdrawn by biennial re-
duction. The protective principle must
be said to be, in some measure, relin-
quished at the end Of eight years and "a
half This period could not appear un-
reasonable, and he thohght that no men,
Der Of the Senate, or any portion OF the
country, ought to make the slightest OBJ
jectiun. 1t now remained for him to con-
slider the other obiection-the want OF u
guarantee to there being an ulterlor con-
tinuance Of the duties imposed by the
bill, on the expiration Of the term which
it prescribes. The best guarantee would
be found in the circumstances under
which the measure would be passed. lF
il was passed by common consent; If il
was passed with the assent ola portion
a considerable portion Of those who hith-
erto supported this system, and by con-
siderable portion Of those who opposed it,
irtbey declared their dissatisfaction with
the measure, he had no doubt the rate
of duties guaranteed, would be contin-
ued after the expiration Of the term, If
the country continued at peace. And
a, the end Of the term, when the exper-
iment would have been made OF the ef-
fciency Of the mode Of protection fixed
by the bill; while ,he constitutional ques-
tion had been suffered to lie dormant, IL
woy should render IL necessary, protec-