Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-04-02

Conclusion Of Mr.. Claws Speech in reply to
Mr.. WEBSTER. on his bill to modify and adj
Just the Tariff. Delivered in the Senate on
the s5th February.
Tie gentleman from Massachusetts disliKes
the measure, because it commands the concur
renee OF those who have been hitherto opposed
in regard to the tariff, and is approved 0y the
gentleman from South Carolina, MIR CALHouN,)
as we'll a. bv myself. Why, Sir. the gentleman
has told US that he Is not opposed to any comPro-
mise. Will he be pleased to say how any COM
promise can be effected, without concurrence
between those who had been previously divided,
and taking some medium between the two ex.
tremesl The wider the division may have been,
50 much the better for the compromise. which
ought TO be judged Of 10y it's nature and by its
terms, and not only by those who happen to vote
for 1t. II is an adjustment to which both the
great interests in this country may accede, with
out either being dishonored. The triumph Of
neither is complete. Each, for the sake Of peace
harmony, and union, makes some concessions.
The South has contrnded that every Vestige OF
protection should be eradicated from the statute
book, and the revenue standard forthwith adopt
ed. In asserting to this bill. it valves that pre-
tensiOn-yields to reasonable protection for nine
years; and consents, in consideration Of the
maximum OF twenty per cent to be subsequently
applied. to determinations below it, cash duties,
home valuations, and long list Of free articles.
The north and west have contended for the
practical application o: the principle Of protec-
tion, regulated b, no other limit than the neces.
sary wants Of the country. II they accede to
this adjustment. they agree. in consideration Of
the stability aud certainty which nine years du.
ration of a favorite system of policy affords, and
Of the other advantages which have been enume-
rated, to come down, in lS4s, to limit not ex.
ceeding twenty per cent. Both parties. animal
ed by desire to avert the evils which might flow
from carrying out into all their consequences the
cherished system Of either, have met upon com.
mon ground, made mutual anil friendly conces.
siun and trust. and sincerely believe, that neither
will have, hereafter. occasion to regret, as net.
Their can justly reproach the other with, what may
he now done.
This. or sone other measure Of Cancellation. is
now more than ever necessary, since the passage
through the Senate, Of the enforcing bill. To
that bill. if had been present, on the final vote,
| should have given my assent, although with
great reluctance. believe this Government
not only possessed Of the constitutional power,
but to be bound, by every consideration, to
maintain the authority OF the laws. But deep.
y regretted the necessity which seemed to me to
require the passage Of such bill. And was
far from being without serious apprehensions as
to the consequences to which it might lead
felt no new born Zeal in favor of the present ad.
minisrati0n, OF which now think as ! have al
ways thought. could not vote against the inca.
sure; | would not speak 10 its behalf. | thought
it most proper in me to leave to the friends of the
administration and to others, who might feel
themselves particularly called upon, to defend
and sustain a strong measure of the administra-
ton. With respect To the series IF acts to which
the Executive has resOrted in relation to our sou.
thern disturbance, this is not hit occasion to en-.
ter upon a full consideration of them; but will
briefly say, that although the proclamation is a
paper Of uncommon ability and eloqusnce, doing
great credit, az composition, to him who
wrote as well as him, signed it, l think
it contains some ultra doctrines, which
no party in this country had ventured to assert.
With these are mixed up many sound princi-
pies and just views Of our political systems.
If it is to be judged BY it's effects upon those to
whom it was more Immediately addressed. it
must De admitted to have been ill-tlmed and I'm.
fortunate. Instead Of allayng the excitement
which prevailed. it increased the evaporation in
the infected district. and afforded new and unne.
cessary causes Of discomfort aud dissatisfied ton
IN the south generally. The message, subse.
quently transmitted to Congress. communicating
the proceedings of South Carolina, and calling for
cOuntervailing enactmants, was characterised
with more prudence and moderation. And. If this
unhappy contest is to continue, sincerely hope
that the future conduct of the administration may
be governed by wise and cautious courseIs, and
a parental forbrarance. But when the highest
degree of luminosity exists; when both parties,
however unequal, have arrayed themselves for
the conflict, who can tell when, by the indiscre-
ton Of subordinates. or other unforeseen causes,
the bloody struggle may commen,el In the midst
Of magazines, who knows when the fatal spark
may produce terrible explosionl And the bat
tie once begun, where is its Iimitss What lati.
titude will circumscribe its range? Who is to
command our armies? When aud where. and
how, is the war to cease? In what condition
will the peace leave the American system, the
American Union, and, what IS more than all,
American libert,s l cannot profess to have
confidence, winch have not, in this administra-
A.. n / 4