Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1840-02-06

pass, before we shall go deeply into sha,
subject. The countryis now at q point at
l.&hieb'it has become Of far more interest
than ever.
SIR, | differ in toto from the Senator
from Kentucky az to the causes of distress;
and, if am not mistaken, they are the
very opposite of what have been suggest
ed. To revive the old, the tried ind con
demned American system. would be- ruin
Gus in every branch of industry, and espe-
call ly the manufacturing, agricultural. and
commercial Interests. The distress which
he rscribes to the importation of silk,
comes from other causes He looked up
on any measure that wGuld, at this time,
increase The credit Of the States so as TO
enable them 10 sell more bonds in foreign
mrarkets, as positively injurious. We
ship our credit, and bring in goods. lhohl
The very reverse of what the Senator has
indicated at true policy, and hope for an
early opportunity Of pointing out that poll
cy. and that al an early day we shall look
deep into the subject.
Mr.. Clay. This is a little unusual. to
engage IN a discussion on This subje rhus
before the time. Sir. have proposed OF
suggested a revival Of the tariff further
than the compromise allows! Not in the
slis shtesl degree. merely proposed q
duty on silk,as an article Of luxury, en-
rirely consistent with the compromise.-
Sir, what was it that | proposed? II
was simply that the maximum duty of
The compromise-,hat is, twenty per cent.
should be imposed on silk, which is in
no way, Incompatible with the com
promise.
And how can this injure the manufac-
lures of cotton, ship-buldine. or any thing
else, which are now nearly prostraIrd!-
The woollen manufacturer al the North is
almost entirely stopped, and that of iron
itself is among the most languishing. How
can the duty on this luxury affect either
The manufacturers or agriculture Of the
country? II will benefit them; for it will
directly aid the manufacture of silk, and,
if raw silk is produced with surcess, it be-
comes n fit object for importation. and il
may aid greatly in removing the ruinuus
excess in the balance Of trade, which will
crush US all, unless the people can rise to
| their own relief.
And the Stale debts? Sir, shoul like
IT, know by what right the subjecI Of State
debts is so frequently dragged into This
Senate, aud the States are here chded
and censured as if under our supervision.
who gives us jurisdiction over them? BY
what authority have We the right 10 say 10
Pennsylvania, or Illinois, or amy other
State. you are extravagant; you have got
into debt; aud we will leave you to GET
nu, as you can. Whence is this righI!-
Who made il the duty Of the Federal Gov
rrnment to give lectures 10 the States m
getting into this dobt! But those debts
have been contracted, and, as the Senator
from South Carolina SAYS, one effect Of il
has bcen 10 nlurge our imports, because
the means arising from the State bordS
has been thrown iuto The channel of com
mcrce. But il will be no longer SO, fpr
that very means will now become an oh
structiOn to commerce. But those tebts
exist, and as men of honor and honesty,
those who owe them, must pay them; aud
trust no man here y III be ~ destitute OF
honor and prubily. MS TO say they oushI
nor to be paid. They have been con
rracted, aud our States have received the
i.ene6., and ! trust and believe thar MOI
srar. iu ,Ii, Uui,u VIII ne 50 lt)si 10 honor
md good faith as moi 10 pay surh ,Iebls-
he debts exist, aud iu the worst forms.
because the foreigner is agains, us. moi as
whole, but divided into paris. az separate
members Of The Confrdpracy, on whom
there is foreign debt; aud consequently
foreign influence.
Aud what is to be done? The States
have here proposed nothing in either branch !
of Congress. Bnt we know that the ex-
isicnce Of these debts. and the distress
which prevails in these different commune
lies; and we know TIA, taxation will be |
necessary. Some Of The States, right or
wrong, nave contracted debrs 10 an exlen,
which the people canno, hear. and if we
are moi destitute Of AL rhnse feelings which
ought TO belong to pnrent Government.
and which, as such, We should che ,'ish, We
ons hi deeply 10 sympaIhize with all these
suferings.
Well, and what suggestion did make
Was it to assume these debrs? No, sir,
nn, sir. But we are in possession of an
importan, fund, which, of righl, belongs
10 The States. The States have no power
Of imposing duties on imports to relieve
themselves. And what was my sugges-
lion! The dents exist, and must be paid,
principal and interest; and my suggestion
WIS, that we should give up what belongs
tn the States, or, at least, dn what we can
for them, hy imposing duties on articles
purely ofluxury, aud give the States their
own property, the proceeds of The public
lands, which would Of itself be sulficientro
pay 'he interest on a debt Of 100000, 900
and believe the whole amount of the
Stale debts is not much wore than $780,.
BOO, 600. BnI have heen drawn into an
exhibition Of these views on an occasion
" hich had no: intended IT, merely mcanI