Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-03-11
MR.. CALHoUN,s SPEECH.
Co TINUED.

ne,
his support to the tariff of 1876 1t is true. that
he advocated that measure, for which he might
rest his defence, without taking any other, on the
ground that it was tariff for revenue. and not
for protection; which he had established be-
yond the power OF controversy. But his speech
On the occasion had been brought in judgment
against him by the Senator from Pennsylvania.
lie had since cast his eyes over the speech; and
he would surprise,-he had no doubt, the Sena-
tor. by telling him that, with the exception oil
sumo hasty an,-unguarded expressions, that ne
retracted nothing he had uttered on that osca.
sion. He only asked that he might be judged
in reference TO IT, in that spirit of fairness and
Justice which was due TO the occasin9>Stakng in
10 consideration the circumstances udder which
il was delivered, and bearing In mind that the
subject was tariff for revenue. and NOT tor pro-
lection; for reducing and not raising the revenue.
But, before he explained the then condition of
the country, from which his main arguments IN
favor nf the measure were drawn, 1t was nothing
but An act Of Justice to himself, that he should
state a fact in connection with his speech. that
Vas necessary to explain what lie had called has
~ and uncuarded expressions. His speech was
AN io,pronlpfu: aud, as such, he apoogIZcd to the
House, as appears from the speech printed, tor
offering his sentiments on the ques.ian without
having duly reelected on the subject. Ii was de-
liyered al the request of friend, when he had
not previously the least intention OF addressing
the House; he alluded to Samuel ID lngham,
then and now, "a he was proud to say. person
al and political friend IA man at talents aud m
tegri,y-wi,h clear head and firm aud patriotic
heart; then among the leading members ot the
House; in the palmY state Of his political glory,
though now for moment eprcssed-depressed,
did he say-no. it was his State which was de-
pressed Pennsylvania, and not Samuel ID Ing
ham! PENNSYLVANIA, which had deserted him
under circumstances which, instead of depress-
mo. oueht TO have elevated him In her estimation.
lie came to me. said Mr.. C., when sitting at my
desk writing, and said that the House was fall
inr into some confusion, accompanying It with IA
remark, that knew how difficult it was to rally
so larne a body when once broken on a tax bill,
as had been experienced during the late var
Having higher opinion of NV influence than it
deserved, he requested me to say something to
prevent the confusion. | replied, said MIR. C.,
that was at a loss what TO say; that had been
busily engaged on the currency, which was then
in great confusion, and which. as | had stated,
had been placed particularly under my charge.
as the chairman OF the committee on that sub
iect. He repeated his request, and the speech
which the Senator from Pennsylvania has com.
plimented so highly was the result.
lie (Mr. C.) would ask, whether the facts
Stated ought not, in justice, To be borne IN mind
bv those who would hold him accountable, not
only for the general scope Of the speech. but for
every word and sentence which II contained!-
But, said Mr.. c., in asking this question, it was
not MS intention to repudiate The speech. All
he asked was. that be might be Judged by the rules
which in Justice belonged to the case. Let it be
recolected that the bill was revenue bill. and,
of course, that it was constitutional. He need
not remind the Senate, when s,e measure Is con
stitutional that all arguments calculated 10 show
it's beneficial operation may be leslumatelv press
cd into service, without taking into consideration
whether the subject to which the arguments re.
fer be within the sphere OF the constitution or
not IL, Tor Instance, question were before
the BODY to lay duty On bibles, aud motion
be made to reduce the duty, admit bibles du
" free. who could doubt that the argument in
favor of the moton'tha the increased circul alton
of the bibles would be in favor Of the morality
aud religion OF the ,"antry, would be strictly
pr"pers Or. who would suppose that he Who
had adduced il had committed himself, on the
constiutionality ct taking the religion or morals
of the country under charge of the Federal Govern
men,? Again: Suppose the question to be to raise
the duy silk. any other article of luxury. aud
that il should be supported On the ground that It
was an article mainly consumed BY the rich ADD
extravaganza. could il be fairly inferred ttat, IN
the opinion of the speaker, Congress had right
to pass sumptuary lauss He only asked that
these plain rules be applied to his argument on
the tariff OF 1916. rhes turned almost entirely
on tAe benehts which manufactures conferred on
the country IN time OF war: aud which no one
could doubt The country had recently passed
through such state. The world was al that time
deeply asitlted by the effects oil the great con.
flict, which had 50 long ragged in Europe. and
which no one could tell how soon again might re.
turn. Bonaparte had but recently been over
thrown; the whole southern part of this cont.
pent was in state Of revolution and was threat.
ened with the interference ct the Holy Alliance,
which, had it occurred, must almost necessarily
have in,slved this country in most dangerous
conflict 1t was under these circumstances that
be had delivered the speech. in which he urged
the House. that, IN the adjustment of the tariff.
reference ought 10 be had to state Of war. as