The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1842-03-02
: Correspondence Of the Charleston Mercury.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IL, 1872
SENATE -.

of Bedford county, Pa, attrbuting the distress
which SO generally prevails to the operation of
the Compromise Act, the operation of which
they ask may be arrested, and the tariff so re-.
, vised as to afford encouragement to domestic
manufactures. He said he differed entirely
with the petitioners as to the cause of the pre-.
sent embarrassment of the country. They at
tributed it to the Compromise Act, and in his
opinion they were utterly mietaken. Up to the
3lst of December last, more protection was af
forded to our domestic manufactures by the pro-
visions of that Act, than any man would now
propose in an original measure. He thought
that complaints against that. Act came with an
i'll grace from Pennsylvania, as it was passed
with view to preserve the protective policy
from the utter annihilation with which it was
threatened By Pennsylvania favorite. He
would say that It was passed for two reasons
First, to prevent the civil war which was threa-
tened by the action of South Carolina, and
which would probably have extended to other
portions of the Uuion: and, Secondly, to pre-
: serve the protective system, which atthe ensu-
inc session must have fallen under the over
towering influence of the distinguished and IL
fustrous man then at the head of the Govern
nept. The present disasters were to be attrI-
buted to the embarrassed condition: of finances,
and 10 the policy which prompted the States to
plunge into schemes OF internal improvement
and to run in debt to foreign nations. While
bonds could be sold, and debts contracted, there
was delusive appearance of prosperity, which
vanished as soon as credit tailed abroad, and the
interests as we'll as the principal. as it became
due, fell upon that upon which is based the i'm
portssof the country. 1t was his purpose, so
long as he renamed in the councils of the ma
ton. which would not be long, to adhere, faith
fully and honestly adhere, to the principles of the
Compromise Il incidental protection was af-
,forded sufficient for our manufactures, well;
bat if the interests OF Pennsylvania, or any
other State, demanded that the revenue point
should be exceeded, and that they should 60 for
protection, he hoped their Senators and Repre-
sen.atives would take it up, and push 1t to the
extent they deemed desirable They must take
the lead in the matter; and if they made out
sufficient case, he would follow.
Mr.. Calhoun said he had no doubt the Sena-
) tor from Kentucky was correct IN the motives
which he had assigned to those with whom he
generally acted for their support of the Com
promise Act; but the South was actuated by
totally different motives. She considered the
policy indicated by the Tariff Acts of 1928 and
1882, as palpable violation of the Coustitu-
ton, as destructive Of her interests, and that
iment :tself In co senting TO the Compromise
Act, they conside.edi; i; an Act which surrendered,
III toto, the protective principle, and thattle du
tieszwere to be reduced gradually 10 2O per
cent, which thereafter was to be the maximum
In that view alone was it assented to, and ne
considered any increase above 70 per cent
Fiolation of the Compromise, if it could be
avoided by reclaiming the land revenue, and
the strctest economy in expenditures, In his
opinion the consequences would have been We
" different from those supposed by the Sena-
tor from Kentucky, had the Compromise not,
been adopted. Gen. Jackson, with all his power,
and he admitted it was as great as tha: OF any
of the crowned heads of Europe, could no,
break down or reduce to any extent the Tariff OF
1928. It was attempted in 1882, and it was
only reduced about three millions, when It
ought to have been reduced fifteen, and 1t
was then declared by the Sena or from Kentucky,
and the then head OF the Treasury De- rartmen,
Mr. McLane, that that arrangement was final
The next Session, in the House, the attempt
at further reduction utterly tailed: In this state
OF things there was no other remedy than the
one which was applied, and successfully aappli-
ed It had been most beneficial in its results
Our commerce had nearly doubled; our tonnage
had fully doubled and yet gentlemen, with all
these facts before them, seem determined to re-
commence policy which has proved to be so
detrimental to the true interests Of the country.
In his opinion, if any thng saved our counry.it
was the Compromise act: it had preserved not
only the manufacturers, butour institutions.
Mr.. Clay replied at considerable length. he
hoped when the tariff was, brought up ;or rev-
sion, it would be approached in spirit Of ami
" He would not now discuss the point whe-
,her if the duties should exceed 20 and 20 up to
%, .2S or even 30 per cent. when necessary for
revenue, it would be violation OF the Compro-
mise, but he would endeavor when the subject
wasztaken up to show that it was not. While
heswouid 20 TO tue EXTREMIST verge in econo-
ms!ng and entrenching expenditure he would
show that even if the land fund was recalled,
which would only make a difference OF about
two rer cent. it would be impossible TO keep
Within the 20 perceat
Mr. Calhoun said if the revenues from the
lands were returned to the Treasury, and the
expenditures were brought down to the esti-
mates of last year, with retrenchment in minor
matters, they could keep with n 20 per cent
and have something over for a sinking fund to
iieuidate our public debt.
Mr.. Preston also spoke at some length as to
the motives of South Carolina, in acquiescing
in the Compromise act, which were in effect,
the same az assigned by Mr.. Calhoun, He
concluded with expressing his determination to