Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-04-12
TwENTY-sEyENTn coNGREss--2d Session.

SPEECH OF Hos. JOHN c. CALHOUN, OF ). G.
On Mr. Ciaps Resolutions in relation 10 The Rert
nues and Eypcndituycs Of The Gorcrnmcnt-Drlrver
ed in the Senate Of the U. S., Wednesday, Marc
/ 10, 1912.
Mr.. CALHOUN said These resolutions are of
very mixed and contradictory character. They con
tain much that approve, and mach that condemn
approve OF them IN the first place, because they re
cognise the Compromise act and profess respect 1t
provisions still more heartily approve of them be
they assert that duty ought be laid but 70
revenue, and no revenue raised but what may be ne
cessary for the economical administration of the Go
vcrnment, and, by consequence abandon the protective
policy. very decidedly approve of the preference
which they give to the ad vaorem specific duties
and the effective argument of the Senator Mr.. Clay
IN supporter that preference. And, finally, approve
Of the principle that the Government onsht not rel
loans Treasury nolesas part Of their ways ant
means in time OF peace, except to meet temporary de
| fci
Having approved OF so much, it may be asked FOL
what do | condemn them' ] do it for this; lat they
do not propose 10 carry out practice, what .hey pro
fess in principles that while they profess 10 respect thu
Compromise act, they violate 1t ln every essential par
ticuar but one, the ad vaorem principle, and tina
fear it is intended to set aside by the Jungle OF home
valuation. fthere be any part of that act more sacet
than another il is that which provides that there shall
be 10 duty imposed after the Both of June next cxcep
for revenue, and raised, but what may bt
necessary to the economical administration of the Go
vernmen 1t was for that the act was passed and with
out which, it would not have existed. lfthat was mo-
apparent on the face of the act ITSELF the causes which
led 10 its adoption would clearly prove it, Ii is suf
Gent this connection to remind The Senate that III.
object Of the act to terminate the controversy be
tween the State Of South Carolina and this Govern
ment, growing out of the Tariff of ls2S. The object
the State, far it Individually concerned,
twoiod-to put down the protective policy, and TO pro
ect herself against high duties even for evcnue when
/ he iunII lao due raj n Tf
the former, the provision was inserted that ne
duty should be laid but for revenue; and the latter
that no revenue should be raised but what was neces
sary for the economical administration Of the Govern
ment. Without these provisions, !, as her representa-
tive this floor, would never have given my assent
TO the act; and, if had, the State would have
acquiesced in 1t. speak with perfect confidence; for
even with these important provisions, she reluctantly
ass"nted To the compromise.
Besides these, there another object in which the
whole Union deeply concerned, which Influenced
her in the step she then took and that TO guard
against The dangerous consequences ofan accumulation
of large surplus revenue IN The Treasury alter the
payment Of the public debt While defending herself
and the portion of the Union in which her lot is cast
against an unconstitutional and oppressive measure she
was unmndlul Other Federal duties and obligations
did she permit her fidelity to the Union and the CO.
vernmpnt TO be impaired in her resistance 10 oppres-
sion She had the sagaciiy to see long in advance the
corruptng and consequences OF large and
such calamous evidence; and has the merit of taking
The most intrepid stand against it, while others were
unheeGinG or Indifferent 10 consequences. To guard
against THIS danger, every article imported that dd
not come in conflict with the protective policy, was
made by the Compromise act duty free To the 30h Of
June next, which, in the aggregate equaled in value
those which the duties were retained; that is, one
half the duties forthwith repealed; but to proven,
the possibility Of abuse and 10 guard, IN The most ctec-
tua manner, the two leading provisions Of the act, il
was expressly provided that alter that time, all ar
ticles of imports except small list contained in
the 9TH section, should be subject 10 duty, and
that no duty should thereafter exceed 20 per cent.
ad vaorem The intention of the former provision
was TO prevent the enlargement Of the free lis and
thereby raising the duties proportonaIy higher on
the dued articles; and of the latter, that under no
prctext whatever, for protection or revenue, should
duties be raised above 20 per cent which was regarded
as the extreme limits which they ought ever to be
carried for revenue. These were the guards on winch
relied to preventa return TO the protective policy or
the raising of the beyond what the necessary
and economical wants Of the Government might require,
and which, if they SHOULD be respected, will prove all
sufficient for the purpose Intended
HAVING secured these essential points, far the
State and the Union al large were concerned the next
object was go reduce the duties on the protected ar
tice. as 10 prevent any shock to the in
terests The State waged no war against them. Her
opposition TO the unconstitutional and oppressive
means by which il sought to promote them at the
expense of the other great interests OF The community
She wished the manufacturers WE'LL and III proposing
TO bring down The duties gradually, through slow pro-
cess of many years TO the revenue pont, but iaih-
fully represented her feelings My first proposition
va, to allow years and to take one-sevenlh an
nually off, but, finally, acquiesced IN extending lhe
time Two years more and to reduce the duties as pro-
vded for BY the act So far from beng an opponent 10
manufacturing industry, there is not one within the
reach of my voice, who puts higher estimate on those
oI,o al ht,,, t,ch &c h
iectrd 10 the dominion Of mird. regard them as the
very basis of civilization and the principal means de-
signed by Providence for the future progress and i'm
proyement of our They will be found in progress
10 react on the moral and political world and thereby
producing greater and more sauary changes IN bot,
than all other causes combined
Such are the leading objects of the Compromise act.
II is admitted all hands, that the provisions IN favor
Of the manufacturing interest have been faithfully o.
served on our part. We have patiently waited the
nine years of slow reduction, ana resisted every
attenlpt To make changes against the manufacturing
interest even when they have operated in our favor,
an for which we have received The thanks oil those
who represented it on this floor And now, when tue
time has arrived when it is our turn 10 ENJOY lis bene-
fits they who called US To adhere 10 The act ~hcn the
interest Of the manufacturers was al stake and com
m.pded us for our fidelity to the Compromise, turn
round when il suits their interest, and cooy and open
" violate every provision in favor, with the single
exception already noticed, as shall next proceed 10
slow.
For that purpose it will be necessary to go back TO
The extraordinary session. for then the violation com
rncncrd Going then back, and passing over minor
points, charge upon the Senator and his friends IN
The first place pable nrac,lon OF the compromise
in raising the duties without making The least effort
to reduce the expenditures Of the Government, 10 what
was necessary to lis economical administration Inc
act is uosi,ive that revenue should be raised
than what such administration might require, prov'-
sion lust as essential that which requires that no du
ly should be imposed bnt for revenue Act'ng men
in the spirit of the act the first stop towards REVISION
of The duties should have been TO ascertain what
of revenue would be required for the economical! ADM
nstration of the Government Was that done: NO
thing ike il; but The very reverse Not effort was
made To ascertain what the wants of the Treasury re-
CURED not one to reduce the expenditures, although
the Senator and his party had come in on solemn
pledoe to make a great reduction. Instead of that
every effort was made increase the expenditures
and add TO the loans, forgetful alike Of The com
time to reduce the revenue BY giving away the I'M
come from The lands with the intention oil increasing