The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-04-23

meant, whilst on the floor, TO debate il as his
proposition.
Mr.. Husr. of New York, here rose, and Mr. John
son gave way for moment
Mr.. HUNT, said he had desired speaking upon the
bill nov IN Committee, but had hitherto failed in get
ting the floor; and after the order which had been
read this morning, 20 take the bill out Of Commit
tee at this evening he did feel any disposition
10 struggle further for the noorhe could not under
speak by stop watch. lie would therefore now
only say word In reference 20 prominent topic intro
duced in this debate. He alluded 10 the tariff. AMI
his sole object disabuse far in his power.
southern gentlemen, whom he felt confident wished
not TO deceive themselves others on this SUBJECT
MIR H. said he represented Of the largest, veal
tbiest and most hoarishng manufacturing districts IA
the State Of New York and he wished say for that
district and for himself that amongst the intelligent
and patriotic men Of that district engaged in manuac
lures there was no disposition desire to interferein
The slightest degree with the squirt Of the COMPROMISE
act. In the rivison Of our tariff laws which must
soon nj all esens) take place reference the
nues necessary 10 carry the government, his con-
stiiuents would desire nothing which the patriotic
statesmen Of the South would themselves consider
Objectionable.
Mr.. JOHNSON continued. He was very glad TO have
heard the remarks which had just fallen from the ho
norabIe gentleman from New York. although his alIu
sion 10 different gentleman from thai State.
He was especially happy TO bear whai had been said,
il convinced ham the more in what he about 10
say those Of his friends from the South who have
been extremely captous the question of the Ia
riH-that they have done the mover OF the proposition
alluded 10 injustice, and he believed that whole region
of country injustice. But while he had doniaed the
advantage Of Introducing the proposition al this time,
he would say, one south Of Mason and Dixon's
line that he approved OF the measuIe-thoughi wise
and stntesmanlike; and il he thought the csmmiitee
was in temper and mood 10 20 into examination
OF the merits OF the question, he would offer agu-
| meDt In It's support. He differed with some of his
Southern friends who excited on the question
He differed with thelD-f,rst IN principle, and next
| IN policy He differed with them in principle, be-
cause he thought the whole entire question proper
and N 10 be talked about to be discussed reasoned
| examined, and decided upon He thought il fit and
proper the Legislature of the Nation that all quos
lions of political oonsiderationa questions of
national moment, II loiin he scope and Jurisdiction
If Congress- should be calmly met and deliberately dis
cussed He differed with many Of his Southern friends
In the policy Of their course because the weakest
portion of the Union in numbers they should not force
collision with the North, when the North has shown
no disposition TO urge protective tarifi, and are w
ling that the spirit Of the Compromise should be the
basis of adjustment of the revenue laws Are
not the apprehension Of Southern gentlemen APP
peased by the disclaimer made the other day by the
gentleman from Massachusetts, (Mr Gushing ~
and by similar disclaimer just made by the gentle
man from New York Let il be remembered that
these gentlemen represent the strongest and most
opulent manufacturing districts in their respective
States They have both stated that the alarm which
has been sounded is unfounded and that they
willing 10 meet the South on proposition in conol
nifty with the Compromise act and If the people of
the Douth say That they prefer tnat revenue aut-
quate To the wants OF the Government shall lac raised
by tax uxures, not interfering with the Compro
mise act, they willing, and will go hand and
heart with them This has all been said, and yet we
find gentlemen this foor not only endeavoring TO
fan up the fires which have been exhausted in years
gone by but absolutely to fret the cold ashes into heat
and flame.
Mr.. JOHNSON said, he would ask these gentlemen
again, who commend this course of action whether
Southern men, they either wise judcious in
thus trying TO force the people of the North into COLI
sion What pretence had they, when the North
said 10 them adopt your own plan and we will go with
you. Ii there State in the whole South which can
ask more than this1 Is there that is anxious
for strife as to hoist the flag when has no enemy
TO encounter2
| MIR. JOHNSON said, he had not been present when
the debate commenced, having been detained from the
| House by indsposition. The first speech which he
had heard from his friend from South Carolina,
| (Mr. w. Thompson) Il was a speech so repeie
with argnment-yct, SO simple and clear IN itse-so
/ full Of practical wisdom-thai he subscribed mot
cheerfully It's temper and its reasoning. He would
not attempt to repeat the arguments because 1t would
be but to weaken and dilute them; and TO dwell upon
their force would be but turn the prism give
red tints and blended hues the primitive coors
without adding to their number or their beauty. He
heard the gentleman from Georgia, (Mr Nesbit, IN
| reply 10 the gentleman from South Carolina, Mr.
Rhett) and TO his system Of direct taxation. His
gumenis, Also were complete and conclusive; and as
Southern man, he most cordially gave his assent to
them--both to their spirit and their letter They had
been attempted TO be met but not in the spirit in which
they were ohered--nor on their mcrs--but have been
tortured by every gentleman who has attempted to
swer them. First, by assuming that the argument
was in favor of tariff of protection which on the
contrary il repudated; and secondly, by asserting
that the North wished force high protective tariff
upon the South which the Northern members openly,
and again, and again, have disavowed. Failing
cite Others gentlemen have themselves become excited
but he would predict that the excitement would be
fined to that Hall. II would meet with response
from the refluent of nubllc oplnlon Gentlemen
warn the South to be alarmed Why for what
Because, the Northern members say, in adjusting
great national question, they wish 10 consult with the
South. Is this more than they have right TO do 2
Is it more than they ought TO dol Yet, are we APP
pealed to, to stand by our to attack we know
not who-and TO fight for, we know not what He
had himself, in the short of his life, met with
many real dangers, that he could not afford To DE
prodlga Of his courage To expend much of II upon
intangible, If not imaginary difficulties. He could
not return homo among his constituents and awaken
the echoes OF lis native mountain with the bugle note
of alarm, excite the peaceful and industrious in
babtans of the rich wales and green slopes with fore
holdings Of evil Were he to do so, they would regard
him as wild as the goat upon the hills The time
when the South excited on the question OF
the tariff partly by the ITSELF and partly from
political consderations-ihere hostility TO the
and little TO its advocates In that excite
other questions and other interests were merged
for-perhsps he ought not to say sacrificed. The
great grain owing and tobacco growing Interests OF
his region We're lost sight of in discussion for
years about raw cotton and manufactured fabrics. IL
then said il you will but destroy this oncrous and
oppressive measure Of Governmental you will also
quite destroy the odious and frghtiul monster, the
Bank of the Uuted States, who have been crushed
into the dust as my friend from Georgia Mr. Al
ford said the other day. the cotton interest will revive
Southern hopes and Southern prosperity viii then
bloom apain--the cotton interest will up liz
dropping head amidst the deuge Of national opres-
SION and another Eden will present itself bright and
joyous-the whole South will be made rich, wealthy,
and prosperous,