Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-03-07
Mr. CLAY7S SPEECH
on ihe NATURALIZATION Of the Tarif.

y
4 yesterday, sir, gave notice that should
ask leave to introduce bill TO modify the
various acts imposing duties on imports
|. at the same time, added that should,
with the permission Of the senate, offer an
Explanation Of the principle on which that
oil - founded. owe. sir. an apology 10
the senate for this course Of action, because
although strictly parliamentary, il is never
theless out OF the usual practice Of this
body; but II is course which trust that
the senate will deem to be justified by the
interesting nature Of the subject rise.
sur, on this occasion, actuated by no mo-
tves OF private nature, by no personal
objects; but exclusively in obedience TO a
sense Of the duty which owe TO my couu.
TRY. trust, therefore, that no ono will
anticipate on my part any ambitious dis
play ofsuch humble powers as | may pos.
sess. u is sincerely my purpose TO pre-
sent plain, unadetned. aud naked state
ment Of facts, connected with the measure
which shall have the honor to propose,
and with the condition Of the country.
When survey. sir. the whole face Of our
country. behold all around me evidences
Of the most gratifying prosperity, a pros
pect which would seem to be without
cloud upon it, were il not that through all
parts Of the country there exist great dis.
sentions and unhappy distinctions, which,
Il they can possibly be relieved and recon
ciled by any broad scheme Of legislation
adapted to all interests, and regarding the
feelings OF all sections, ought to be qnieted.
and leading TO which object any measure
ought TO be well received.
IN presenting the modification of the
tariff laws which am now about 10 sub
NIT. have two great objects in view.
My first object looks to the trait am
compelled to express the opinion, formed
after the most deliberate reflection, and on
a full survey OF the whole country, that
whether rightlully or wrongfully, the tariff |
stands in imminent danger. Ii il should
even be preserved during this session, it |
must fall at the next sessions By what
circumstances, and through what causes, |
has arisen the necessity for this change in
the policy Of our country, will not pre-
tend to eluci!ate. Others there are who
may differ from the impressions which my
mind has received upon this point. Ow |
ing, however, to a VARIETY Of concurrent !
causes. the tariff, as il now exists, is 10 i'm
minent danger. and if the system can be |
preserved beyond the next session, il must |
be by some means not now within the reach |
Of human sagacity. The fall Of that poll
Icy, sir, would be productive Of consequent
ces calamitois indeed. When look TO
the variety Of interests which are involved
to the number Of individuals interested,
the amount Of capital invested, the value
oil the buildings erected. and the whole ar
rangement oi the business for the pros8cu-
ton oil the various branches Of the manu-. !
featuring art which have sprung up under |
the fostering care Of this government, | |
cannot contemplate any evil equal to the |
sudden overthrow of all those interests.
History can produce no parallel to the ex
tent Of the mischief which would be pro- |
duced by such disaster. The repeal Of |
the edict OF Nantes itself was nothing in |
comparison with it. That condemned To |
exile and brought to ruin great number |
ofpersons. The most respectable portion !
Of the population of France were condemn
ed to exile and ruin by that measure. But |
in my opinion, sir, the sudden repeal OF |
the tariff policy would bring ruin and dcs-
truction on the whole people Of this coun.
try. There is no evil in my opinion, equal |
70 the consequences which would result I
from such catastrophe.
vshatJ ostt nAG tiG NUhipidAutS VulEI 0l-
happily divide the people Of this great |
country. On the one hand, it is said by |
those who are opposed TO the tariff, that |
II unJustly takes portion Of the people |
and parslyzes their Industry; that there 10 |
10 be no end TO the system; which, right
OF wrong, is to be urged to their inevitable
ruin. And what is the just complaint, on
the other hand, OF those who support the
tariff? II is. that the policy Of the govern
ment is vacillating and uncertain, and that
there is ITO Stability in our legislation. Be
fore one set Of books are fairly opened, it
open new set. Before law can be /
tested by experiment, another is passed.
Before the present law has gone into ope.
ration, before it Is yet nine months old,
passed as II was under circumstances Of
extraordinary elaboration. the fruit Of
nine months labor, before We know any
thing OF its experimental effects. and even
before 1t Commences its operations, We are
requested to repeal II. On one side we
are urged to rep'a system which is
franght with ruin: on the other side, the
state Of alarm IN which the public mind
has been thrown, renders all prudent men
DESTROYS, looking ahead little way, to
adopt state oil things. ON the stability Of
which they may have reason TO count
Such is the state OF feeling on the enc side
and on the other. am anxious TO find
out some principle Of mutual accommoda
ton. to satisfy. as far a. practicable, both
parties-to increase the stability Of our
legislation, and at some distant day--but
not too distant, when we take into view
the magnitude OF the interests which are
involved--to bring down the rate ofduties
to that revenue standard for which our op
ponents have so long centended Inc +
basis on which wish to found this modi
fication, is one of time, and the several
parts Of the bill to which am about 10
call the attention of the senate, are found