Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-06-04

'mmovnble sectional interest ruled the question,
and cur votes and voices in this hall
as powerless to protect constituents, if they
were gwen to the mountan-ops. This must be
The case, not only as TO this question: bu; to all
others where the Constitution is violated There was
but one way by which people inhabi ing a country
so vast and various in its productions could practically
rule themselves by their representatives in the councils
OF common confederacy; and that was, by entrustny
TO general Congress only those powers which were
common 10 all whilst all interests which were local
or sectional left 10 the States. By this theory,
IN tho exercise of the powers granted To this Govern
ment, the interest Of section being 'dentnsd with
that OF all others, the representation from each pvt
OF the coniederacy would protect the whole; and no
part could be oppressed without depressing all The
principle of rcpresenation, exercised BY the Federal
head, would thus self government and just CO.
veranent, in its operation, TO the people in s portions of
the Union, all those matters which of general
concern. Whilst the States, having all local and
tlona interests under their care, weuii carry down
their legislation TO the regulation and promotion, If
they deemed it expedlent, of all local and sectional IN
terests This is the whole theory of the Constitution;
and 1t can only be, by careful and just exercise,
the part OF the General Government, Of the general
powers possesses, that liberty result poo
pie. Whenever it is proposed TO legisate for local
sectional objects, and we here sectional divisions
in councils be assured that the legislation proposed
| IS unconstitutional. sectional beneft only be
conferred by this Government by sectional oppression
Believing therefore, not only that The protective po.
Icy is Just and oppressive 10 the South but utterly
unconstitutional! and in direct conflict with all those
great principles of liberty which have sanctfied our
Revolution, heard with surprise and regret the ar
nation of the gentleman from North Carolina that il
| was not Abandoned and never should be abandoned
The Tariff Of 1888, had been accustomed To hear, es
pccally from the adherens of its distinguished author
had brought healing in its wings 10 broken Consu.
lion and an outraged aud oppressed people. But it
seems, now, we have made a nine years mistake. "It
would have been cowardy, says the gentleman, i" If
the principle had been conceded, because, presume
minority (South Carolina, if you please) resisted it,
This exactly the argument Of Lord North in the
British Parliament to the remonsirances and resistance
Of our ancestors and will be the argument of
proud tyrannies in all ages. Do the oppressed SUBJ
mt:-they are taxed of course. Do they resist'-it
will be cowardy then 10 yield "Sic roio sic ju.
bc0,' is far better method of putting the gentle
mans argument. The principle, too, all Lord
North ultimately contended for. He laid gem
tie taxa tax few Misunderstanding full
we'll that if the principle Of taxation yielded,
there could never thereafter, be serious upon
j mere question of the degree of imposition. And
thus Sir, did the people of South Carolina contend
only against the principle involved in Protective Ia
riff II was, with them, not question of money, but
of right-of constitutional liberty. II wrong
then concession, modification of the Tariff
ought to have been made; but if were right ii was
not only proper that the principle should be yielded,
but, according to my apprehension 1t would have been
cowardly as it would have been criminal to have
abandoned it, The basest cowardce 10 moral cowardce
fear Of the ccnsure contempt of others. And Sir
despite alirmaons to the contrary, venture 10 affirm
that the principle of Protective Tariff abandoned
by the Of the act Of 1888 and If aemptedto be re-
established after lSi2, it will be addag peridy To op
preston. 1t is true, the gentleman says, that Mr.
Clay did say in 1888, that protection 10 manufactures
reserved by the power discriminate under 90 per
cent by this act; but he did not cay in 1898. Them
when the act under consideration in answer 10 the
charge that the principle of the protective policy
abandoned he said it not; and he enumerated the
features in the bill which supported his assertion
cash duties-the home valuation, and the list of free
articles Mr. the benefit Of manufacturers. These
ectve principle renaed .fY I'D la yrngygS The qEo
ing of dollars tax for the benefit OF manufacturers?
II The principle is retained, IL is retained only in the
free list, which is exemption, not imposition of
taxes So far, none will dispute with him. The idea
of the principle of protection being retained in conse
uence of the ability TO discriminate under 90 per cent
is, at least here, notion modern 1888. The act
says that after 1872 the duties shall BE- laid for such
revenue (not protec;on) shall be needed for
nomca administration of the Government, exceed
ing % per cent. am, Sir no party 10 the compromise
effected by this act. ! have ever doubted It's policy
and at time, as have before frankly achnow-
lodged, niscons,rued lts meaning. But 10 those who
are parties it, it ought 10 be considered sacred as
public faith and individual honor can make it,
MIR. Chairman, the gentleman has asserted that
North Carolina is dcspised by Virginia and South Ca
rono, and therefore, suppose he has deemed himself
justifable in assailing these States.
Despise North Carolina. Who that has the aspra-
tons of freeman, can Jespise Republic, which for
more than half century, has maintained, and still
maintains, liberty within her borders' Is freedom
rife in the world that those who possess and preserve
il, can be lightly esteemed: What wrong, what
patton has she parpetrated upon other States,
which, in States with individuals, constitute the
only just for reproach and shame that she need
hang her head amongst the bright sovsreigntes which
compose the confederacy? Which Of her sister Sietes
before her in the great contest for redemption
and independence from British tlra!dom' Sir, NJ PEG.
Pile ancient MODERN exhibited more highly, the
noble qualities Of lofty daring and srliaaandonng devo
to the Of justice and liberty, than this State
in our Revolution. Not with encouragement of mnl.
ti,udes-no with the cheering voice of reclamation
and approval by her sister Sates-but alone with heS
borders filled with traitors, and around the errors Of
the British name her people assembled together
Meckenburg, and first broke the yoke of dependency
which made them the subjects OF King; and well, at
the council board and in The tented field, did they
maintain the position they had thus proudly assumed
How should such people be despised' We're il bu,
for this deed, in all time shall she be remembered
and honored No, Sir! North Carolina is neither de-
spised by Virginia South Carolina. She respect
ed by every free State, and every free in this
tended Union. But will tell the gentleman from ~
Carolina that nothing well calculated TO bring
upon his State the contempt he snpposes to exist,
the sefabasng attitude he has graiultousy assumed
Tor h2r. Sele5ttem Is nan tue esfen oI otDtIs,-
and nothing great or glorious achieved by
people taught TO suspect or acknowledge lnfefiory--
Instead of imagining contempt for his State in Others
lei him represent her principles and her interests truly
and serve her as she deserves From South Carolina,
at least, no retort will be made sister Slate for
the imputations of any Of her To assaIl
muuities on account Of individuals. is always wrong.
The innocent are struck for the guilty, and thousand
wounds unjusty inflicted, instead Of one deserved
No. Sir; let rather here, responding 10 The kind and
elevated feelings Of The people we represent, do JUS
tce even amidst wrong and lmputatIon; and 10 North
Carolina our neighbor and sister, extend the
hand of friendship and respect. Can the name or
fame of any of the old thirteen, be touched by the
breath which taints this hall? Who supPoses it,
Not one.
And virgins-good Old Virgina-she, too, with S.
Carolina is arraigned for her imputed arrogance and
nsolence, and her senseless policy. Sir, how can q
Southern man find it in his heart to speak dispaaging
ly of this great and glorious conmonwe alih2-,he
standard-bearer of our Revouion-the mighty mother
of States and satesmen-the mnni6cent donor of five
Presidents TO the confederacy-the deiverer of tho
Constitution in 1901, when at its last gasp from the
murde hands of Federaljsm-and she Ia hs tw,ed