Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1839-03-07
POEETKCAL.
EXTRACTS FROM THE

IN SENATE, Jan. 29, 1889.
InIhe session of lS4l-2, al the latest
it will become The duty Of Congress, seri-
ously to consider The subject Of duties on
imports generally, and adjust it in that
spirit of compromise which gave birth 10
the Constitution itself. hope and be-
leve that Southern gentlemen will at that
period, whilst they have right To insist
that the revenue shall be reduced to the
standard of an economical administration
of the Government, act in liberal spirit
towards the manufactures of the country.
A daty granted merely and solely for pro-
lection, we cannot ask under the comPro-
mise: bu, we shall expect that whilst i'm
posing duties for revenue, such Incidental
discrimination may he made in favour OF
our most important and necessary manu-
factures, as will assis, American industry
in strus Cling against foreign competition.
This principle of incidental protection
within these limits. Is as old as the Gov
ernment; and | hnve never understood
that it was objected TO by gentlemen of
The South. Ill should live until that ,lav
and be then a member Of the Senate, |
shall then enter upon the task of adjusting
the tariff with every disposition, not exclu-
sively to regard the interest of any partic-
ular portion of the Union, but to act with
liberality, and do justice to all the great
interests involved. know that at that
time, many considerations may be urged
| in favour of repeal of all the duties on
foreign salt. Such measure would ope-
rate bene6cially upon the grea, aericutu.
raj interest which | have ever regarded
with peculiar favour. But, at the pres
ent moment, this duty rests upon the
compromise, act, and representing as do,
considerable salt manufacturing interest.
am not disposed now TO disturb it. Al
the time Of the general revision Of the
tariff, The duty OIL this article can be con-
sidered in connexion with all the rest;
and then wiser and better disposition
may be made of it, than if we were now
ence to its bearings upon the whole subject.
Mr.. B. said that the question Of courte-
sy being as it was OUT of view, he did
moi understand how Senators, who had Of
lered able arguments against This bill, could
notwithstanding, conclode by declaring
that they would vote for its introduction.
Mr.. Benton having made some remarks
which will he given hereafter
Mr.. B. said, in reply t" Mr.. Benou) as
to the compromise ACT shall say but lit
tie. Its reputcd authors are here present
and are very able to defend themselves
As to myself, | was in far distant land
al the Time OF its passage, and shall never
forget my own feelings when | first re-
ceived information Of this event.
The enemies Of liberty in every coun.
try of the old world were rejoicing in the
prospect thar this glorious Union-the
last hope Of Republican institutious-was
about to expire. The advocates Of des-
potism were every where gloaing over the
prospect. II was impossible for any per-
son placed in my situation not to see. and
to feel. and to know, that this was the
cherished hope of the enemies of libe, al
institutions throughout Europe. 1t was
subject of conversation in every society
which frequented in the great Northern
Capital, where thee resided. Although
| did moi myself personally indulge in
gloomy forebodings, yet hailed the news
of The passage of the compromise act as
The harbinger Of peace and tranquility at
home, with more JOY than have ever
felt upon the announcement Of any po
litical event. Ii was then sufficient for
me to know that the question WHICH had
threatened the peace Of my native land
| ,lad. onI thnr kxyt the q
of bill which had received the apprnha-
ton of General Jackson. His sanction Of
it, Yves. TO me al least, tho strongest evil
dence that it was not "a mere humbug."
| felt the fullest confidence that his sigma
ture could never have been affixed to any
bill which would sacrifice, or seriously in
jure. any OF the interests Of the coun-
try.
Whether, under all the circumstances.
| should have voted for this bill or mol,
had then been Senator. or whether it
settled our difficulties wisely or unwisely,
is not now the question. Be this as il
may, ii has stood the test Of time during
period of six years, and it has not yet
been changed by Congress in single par
ticular. The people Of the State which
in part represent, have, at least acquiesc-
ed in its provisions; and they are looking
forward to the year lo4l or 40 for gen.
eral settlement Of the whole question.
Now, sir, what is my position? | am
called upon 10 except from this conpro-
mise single article of domestic manufac-
ture. in which several counties of Penn
sylvania are deeply interested. Would [
not be faithIess TO my trust, If should
agree that this article, protected as it now
is BY the existing tariff, should be made
the solitary exception; and that, too at a
moment when the manufacturers of it are
reposing with perfecr security on the faith
OF law adhered to, as it has been by
Congress, ever since its passage! 1t is