Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-03-14

nope. l: may be hailed rs the suspicious event
which has taken place in the history of our country for
years past If one be permitted to indulge the hone
that the tariff and internal improvements heretofore
united IN the unholy bands of unlawful wedlock are
now to he drorcsaif these to be put asndcr whom
God has not joined together, then indeed is ;ere cause
for Rejoicing for 'ottom claiming De prophet or me
son q prophet think may pre6ict The t1i0 toW nci
long sl'rirc tht dca'b Of aierndl mprorai at"
Even the South Carolina STA eslen whose warm and
irritable temperament, led them either into the one or
the other extreme OF rashncss despondoncy-cven
thcy had high hopes that the system of protection would
soon be Observation-Disclosures prophecy that the tariff could
not long survive the death of internal improvements
was based on the soundes principles of political fore
scence--the one was absolutely essential the exist
ence OF the other, and there could be no doubt that
lew years would bring to pass perfect fulflmcn of
the prediction In other parts of the Union the friends
OF reduction We're highly animated. "'rhe zeal say
they in favor of the prohbi,ory system as far as il was
honest and well meant, is cooling even faster if posi-
bic, than 1t was kndled."
AT the end of the session, 1881 the anti-tari party
had evidently gained ground. Public sentiment was
last changing IN their favor-thcy preparing TO
concentrate their efforts by the call of convention
one entire state had been gained their cause
ana others were wavering in their policy--some of the
newspapers IN Maryland declared that the discussions
and reports in congress brought forth mass of facts
and arguments, which would stare the most thorough
gong tarlti-man" The friends of the prohibory sys-
tenn were growing alarmed and prophesied evil. They
declared 1t as their unhesitang opinion that grand
ana desperate attack be made upon the Ameri-
can system" and is rain, say they 10 disguise the
it,"
And in his annual message of 1892 the president did
declare open hostility He pointed out the disastrous
consequences of high tariff duties-concnded that the
evils of the system not counerbaanced by the adj
Vantages ertS tending to beget in the minds of large
portion OF our countrymen spirit of discomfort and
jealousy dangerous to the stability of Union. In
short time all pretence for high duties will be removed
The system of appropriation for internal improvements
having been checked and the national debt i'm a short
time about to be extnguished would put i'm the power
IN If
immense revenue which had been applied TO those two
purposes protective tariff therefore, could nolonger
be kept up "The public safety, said the president, is
the supreme law !" and that requires an abandonment
of the protective system.
While thus progressing steadily, and surely with in
creased strength and conhdence-certan of adjusting
ana reducing the tariff with the extneuishment of the
national debt which was close at hand--whle in the
midst OF this successful and joyful career the friends
OF reform were suddenly checked by the rash and I'M
accountable course of South Carolina. Her ordinance
setting at defiance the government and its laws came
upon us like the sudden commissions of AN earthquake
and threw the whole country into new and ALARMING
attitude. Felow-citlzens, let pause here for mo-
ment, and attempt, if can, explain this exraord-
nary procedure. The greatest events of history are
sometimes affected, and often modified by the most
trivial causes. Revolutions cannot be checked but
they may be controlled and diverted from their natural
course like ball shot from the musket, adamant
may not arrest it-but the limsy bark may divert it
from the line OF It's projection He who looks only on
the surface of things, gances his eye the VARYING
outline OF passing events, spends his little purpose
Age may add hoarlness to his locks, but not wisdom
to his experence-he may read, but the thoughts that
pass through his mind like shadows of the passing
cloud, which glide over the bosom of the EARTH and
leave no trace behind Would you be wise in the ways
of men, search into the hidden causes--the secret
spring of their actions Men often present TO the
world, set of motives which real-they often
assume specous appearance of candor patriotism and
in truth, all their actions are
prompted by the vigorous impulses of sel6sbnes
or the darkest suggestions of unqualified revenge
Fellow-citizens, how do you account for the exraor
binary and needless course into which the hgh-mnded
and spirited people of South Carolina driven by
their political advisers? Review the history which we
have given you of the tariff, and do you not find them
concuirng with the President in all his plans? Did
they not look to him as the champion of their cause
DID they not express hope that the daion of neao
and brighter had begun? Did they not declare That
honor and gratitude belong the of qdreo Jackson?
Did they not proclaim with exutation, that the man
'oho had filled the of his counts glor has once
thrown himself into The breach-fas once more bored
his noble bosom in defence of the constitution and of our
liberties? Did they not say that he has replsed The
tnUaderS Of The constitution And if the states be tne 10
themselves, triumphant pictoy aoaits as? Did thew not
prophecy that the tariff could not long s,upre the deah
Of internal improvements?
Yes, fellow citizens this is the language used bv the
leading men of South Carolina in the spring and
summer of 1880. How then do you account for the
change IN their language and conduct shortly after that
period? If they seriously believed what Is here de-
cared-and we have right to doubt their snceritv-
and could still find it in their hearts to pursue an
Incorporating opposition to the government even TO
an open dehance OF It's laws and ordinances can YOU
look upon their conduct with the least degree of allow
ance? Would men risk the chances of civil commo
ton, by opposition to a system of taxation which
they declared themselves, would be satisfactorily adj
Justed IN the ordinary course of legislation? Would
they hazard the possibility of involving their country
In war and anarchy, merely for the sake of hasenin
few years that victory, which they had prophesed
would soon be accomplished DMe states be true 10 them
selres? 1t is utterly impossible to believe that the
tariff was the sole cause of the precpate and reyou
uonary proceedings in South Caroina-we have too
much respect for the wisdom of those men who were
leaders IN these Transactions believe so improbable
ale-a tale which reflects severely on their expe
renee and sagaclty. We must look out for some more
adequate cause.
. In February, 1881, there appeared at Washington
correspondence bet,oeen General ndre,c jackson and
John z. Calhoun, President and Hice Presideni of lie