The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-01-30
WHOLE NO. 434.

force bill party. II closed the conflict between
the North and the South, which if not revived by
the acts of those who passed the tariff of 1928,
will trust, and believe, remain closed forever.
Such is the train of events which led TO the act
OF 1898, and the circumstances under which il
passed, and we are now called upon TO decide
whether we shall adhere to lis provisions or not.
The Senator from New York invites us 10 sur
render our interest in il, and TO open anew the
tarifi controversy, and with view to test our de-
termination, has inserted in this bill the repeal of
'ne duty on salt. He signifies his dissent. ] am
glad oil 1t. IL proves that he breads direct issue
on the subject, which is not surprising after the
statement made, but must tell him that il is inn
material whether il was so intended or not
Salt is one OF the items comprehended in the
act, and II we touch one item, we NAV touch all
10 vote Tor the repeal Of a single item, unless
win common consent, as efectualy surrenders
the compromise as TO vote for the repeal of all
1.-The Senator from New York must excuse
me- feel il my duty to speak plainly where the
interest OF my constituents and the whole coun-
try IS so deeply concerned. | must tell him
lack confidence in him. see in this bill de-
sign under the show Of reduction to revive the
tariff controversy, by which he and his friends
have so much pro6ted at the expense of the
country. II is an artful and bold stroke of DO
hey, calculated to distract and divide the opposi-
lion, and place almost unlimited control over the
capital and labor of the country, in the hands of
those IN power. II affords the means of appeal
ing to the hopes and fears of every section and
interest, while the distraction and division that
must follow, would prevent the possibility of
united efforts 10 arrest the abuses and encroach-
mens of power. Experience has thaught US
10 understand the game and be on our guard
against those who are playing il. We cannot
close our eyes TO the fact, that the party which
IS now, so intent 10 disturb the compromise, is
the very party that was the author OF the tariff
Of 1928, and which, after using every effort to
render itpermanent, was ready TO shed our blood
rather than surrender the act Their devotion
to measure Of which they are the authors and
to which they owe their present elevation, pre-
pared us TO expect that deep hostility to the
act which gave their favorite mortal blow, and
opened the way for an united and we trust, ere
long, successful resistance to power acquired
by deception and maintained by deusion and
corruption. The entire South may well apply
TO the Senator, as the author of the tario 1928,
the reply which distinguished Senator gave,
after its passage TO one who now occupies a
higher station than he did then, and who under
took to explain TO him his vote on this occasion
"Slr, you have deceived me once; that was your
fault but if you deceive me again, the fault will
be mineo
Alas, for Virginia that once proud and pa
triotc State. She has dismissed her honest and
enlightened son, who served her with so much
fidelity, and has elevated to the highest Office,
him who betrayed her, and trampled her interest
in the dust.
81 know full well that attempts will be made to
mlsrepresent my position on this OCCASION and
TO weaken me in the confidence of the public
fear them not know well those whom re-
present They have too clear a conception Of
their true interest, and place too high an esti-
mate on truth and honor, TO withhold their con-
fdence from him who fearlessly follows their
dictates They will scorn the miserable boon
protfered by the Senator from New York, and
the hand that offers it. and will cling to the act
which they SO proudly wrung from this govern
ment. Were to listen to the voice Of the Sc
nator from New York, they would hold me blind
to their interest and Indifferent TO their honor |
shall not assent to disturb the act of 1888, in the
slightest degree, SO long as the manufacturing
interests shall adhere to its provisions, be the
conduct of politicians what it may Thus far
they have firmly adhered. Not murmur has
been heard, or petition been offered from that
quarter, against it, from its passage TO the pre-
sent day, while the memorial Of the Legisa
lures of the two great Tariff States-Massachu-
sets and Pennsylvania-whch pledged them
selves to abide by the provisions of the act, give
strong additional assurance, that if we do not
disturb II, on our part, they IN no' on 'nehs.''
Truth, sir, every word truth. regard now,
as he did then, those who would disturb the Com
promise; and warn those now who would do
it, as he did then, that ifthey do, "they will have
ample time TO reflect upon the evil they have
done" Let them well reflect before they again
break up that deep and turbid fountain OF bitter
waters whoever makes the attempt, will find
that our people, prompt as they ever are to peril
every thing in defence of great principle of the
Constitution, and Of public liberty, will look
well about them and fully examine for them
selves all the reasons before, on any authority,
thew will revive that dangerous conflict. And, |
sir, if we do break up this Compromise, what
hope have we sin permanent minority" as
we are, that we shall obtain any better terms.
In a debate in The Senate, in 1888, between
Mr.. Clay and Mr.. Calhoun the two great actors
in this Compromise, Mr.. Clay, in giving history
of that measure, uses the following language,
which was not contradcted-"ln the consulta-
tons between that Senator, Mr.. Calhoun, and
myself in respect to the Compromise. on every |
point upon which insisted, he gave way. lie
was for shorter term than nine years, and more |
rapid reduction. insisted and he yielivo, tie
insisted upon fifteen per cent. as N. e'"It-
mum duty, bit yielded. He was against any
within the limited range Of duties
for the benefit Of the manufacturers, but con
sented To the last he protested against home
but finally gave way" Now, II this
act was regarded as deiinitive settlement OF the
whole matter, can very well see reasons Tor
this pertinacious adherence but if il was not so,
but mere act of ordinary legislation, am at a
loss for reason for it, especially for contending
that the duties were TO come down IN lS42 to ID
instead of 20 per cent. This was a matter OF vast
if this adjustment was TO be per-
but of none earthly if its provisions ex-
PRED in 1912. The good or evil could not have
lasted more than few months. But, sir, the
whole act is full Of provisions TO regulate duties
after 1912. Why was this, If the act was intend
ed to cease then TO operate That it was re-
rarded by our Convention, as permanent
adjustment, the report of that body acceding
10 the Compromise fully shows. 1t is full
of evidence TO that point. Listen TO the fol
lowing brief extract, after reviewing the pro-