Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-08-01

dom OF government was called upon 10 guard
against the recurrence Of this owl, and Ia
place the security and prosperity OF the coun-
try upon a sure basis. Hence, | concurred
most heartily, IN the policy OF projecting
American manufactures, for limited time,
against foreign competition. Whatever dl-
versliy Of opinion may have existed "a to the
proprety OF that policy originally, ,hlnk tina,
all candid men must now admit that IL has
placed tins country at least halt century IN
advance 0t the position IN which 1t would
have been, without its adoption. The value
OF home as well as of foreign market Is
lncalculable. 1t may be illustrated by sin.
gle example. Suppose the three hundred
thousand bales of cotton now manufactured
~ the United States were thrown into the
gln,led markets Of Europe, who can estimate
tho reduction in price OF that grent staple
which would be the inevitable consequence
| Tho compromise of the tariff was proposed
10 preserve our manufactures from impcnd-
ing ruin menaced by the administration OF
General Jackson, and which would have been
inflicted al the succeeding session, and to
avert from the Union the threatened dan yer
Of a Civil War. lfthe compromise be invlo-
lably maintained, as | think 1t ought to be. |
trust that the rate of duty for which il provides,
III conjunction with the stpulatlons for cash
duties, home valuations, and the long list OF
free articles, inserted for the benefit of the
manufacturing interest, will insure ], rea-
sonable and adequate protection.
Intimately connected with the strcngtb,t the
prosperity, and the union of our country was
that policy of internal improvements Of which
! you have expressed appreciation. The ma
uonal road and the grand canal, proi' cted or
executed by your Clinton, both having the
same object of connecting the eastern nnd
western portions of the Union, have dit1nsed
"a spirit throughout the land which has impel-
led the several States to undertake the ac-
accomplishment Of most of The works which
ought To be performed by the present genera
non. And after the distribution of tho large
surplus recently made from the common
treasury but little now remains for the gener-
al government directly to do, on this great
subject, except those works which arc in
tended to provide, on navigable waters, for
the security of commerce and navigation,and
the completion OF the Cumberland road.
had been very glad, during my voyage
upon this lake, to fud that an erroneous i'm
preston had existed in my mind as to the
improvements of harbors. had feared that
the expenditure of public money had been
often wastelu and unnecessary upon works
on the lake shores. There are. probably, q
few instances in which it might have been
properly avoided, but | am now fully per-
suadcd that, in general, the expenditure has
been necessary, wise and salutary.
In sustaining the great systems Of policy
to which | have just adver,ed, was actuated
by The paramount desire which has influenced
! ma ~ l,,.ln Ia .l
preserving, in all It's integrity and vigor, our
happy Union. In it is comprehended, peace,
safety, free institutions, and all that consli
tu'es the pride aud hope of our country. II
we lift the veil beyond it, we must start back
with horrer at the scenes of disorder, anarchy,
war and dcspo'ism which rise up before us.
But 1t 1t be mos; proper and expedcnt to
leave the case TO the several States, those
internal improvements, within their respective
limits, which the wants of society require.
there is one great and lasting resource to
whick ] think them fairly entitled. The
public domain has accomplished the objects
to which it was deditcned by our rev evolutionary
fathers, in satisfying the land bounties which
were granted to the officers aud soldiers of
the war Of independence, and in contributing
to the extinction of the national debt. II is
IN danger o! being totally lost, by loose and
Improvldent legislation; and, under the plau-
sble prelext of bcnefttng the poor of lay.
ing, IN the hands of spectators, the iounda
tons of prIncipalitics. | have thought that
the nett products of the public domain should
be equltaby divided among all the States
In their hands the fund would assist in the
execution of those great and costly works
which many of them have undertaken and
some find 1t difficult to complete. The with
drawal of the fund from the danger to which
1t Is exposed and the corrupiing influences
which 1t cxerts, fluctuntng as the fund does.
from year TO year, would scarcely be felt by
the general government, IN its Legitimate
operations. aud would serve to impress upon
It the performance of the necessary duty of
economy and strict accountability.
| This is not q suitable occasion, and per-
haps, am not fit person To expntiatc here
on the condition Of our public affairs but
trust that ] shall be excused for saying few
words 10 those who concur in opinion with
me, without intending the slightest offence
to any present, if there be any present. from
whom it is my misfortune to differ. We be
licve that there is a radical NAL .admnistra.
ton Of the government; that great interests
of the country are trodden down; that new
and dangerous principles and practices have
been introduced and continued that fear.
inl conjunction of the purse and the sword in
the same hands, already oarmingly strong,
Is perscveringly attempted; that the consli
tuition has been grossly violated and that by
the vast accumulation of executive power.
actual aud mcdiia,ed, our system is rapidly
tending towards an elective monarchy.-
These are our convictions, honestly and sin.
cerely entertained. They prescribe to us
the duties which we have to perform towards
our country. TO correct past evils and to
avert impending dangers we see no efiec,ual
remedy but in o change Of our rulers. The
opposition constitutes the r,ajorty-unqucs-
tionably the maiority-of the nation. A
great responsibility therefore, attaches to it.
1t defeated it will be defeated by its own d..
Visions, aud not by the merit of the principles
OF its opponents. These divisions are, at the
same time, our weakness and his strength.
Are we not all then called upon, Mr.. Re.
cordcr and fellow citizens, by the highest Of
duties to our country, to lis free institutions,
to posterity and to the world, to rise above
all local prcjudices aud personal par,ialtics,
TO discard all collateral questions, to disre gard
every subordinate point, and, in a genuine
spirit Of compromise and concession, uniting
heart aud hand, TO preserve for ourselves the
blessings Of a free government, wisely, hon.
estIy and faithfully administered, and, as we
have received them from our fathers. to