Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-03-10

The resolutions having Teen read
.,- MIR CLAY rose and addressed the Senate nearly
a. follows:
Me President: The resolutions which have Just
been read and which to form the subject Of the
present discussion are of the greatest importance,
involving interests OF the highest character, and
system of policy which, in my opinion, lies at the
bottom of any restoration of the prosperity OF the
county. In discussing them, would address, my
self to you in the language OF plainness, OF sober
ness, and truth. did not come here as II were
entering garden full of flowers and of the richest
shrubbery TO Gull the tea-roses, the Japonieas, the
iasruincs and woodoines, and weave them into
garland OF the gayest colors, that by the beauty OF
their assortment and by their fragrance may graz
tify fair ladies'. Nor is il my wish-it is far, lar
from nv wish-to revive any subjects of party
character, or which might be calculated to renew
the animosites which unhappily have hitherto pre-
vailed between tho two great political parties IN
the country. My courSeis far different from this
It is 10 speak TO you Of the sad condition OF our
coun,ry-to point out not the remote and original,
but the proximatc, the immediate causes which have
produced and ore likely TO continue our disresses,
and 10 suggest q remedy. II any one, IN or out OF
the Senate, has imagined it TO be my intention, on
this occasion, to indulge in any ambitious display
of language, to attempt any rhetorical flights or 10
deal in any other figures than figures of arithmetic,
he will find himself greatly disappointed. The
farmer, ii he is judicious man, docs not begin TO
plough It'll he has first laid of his land, and marke
Il off nj proper distances by planting stakes by
which his plouehmen are to be guided in their
movements; and the ploushman accordingly fixes
his eye upon the stake opposite to the end OF the
destined furrow, and then endcavors to reach il by
straight and direct furrow. These resolutions
are my stakes.
But, before proceed TO examine them, let me
FIRST meet and obviate certain objections, which, as
1 understand. have been or may he urged against
them generally. learn that 1t is said OF these re-
solutions that they present only general PROPOSE
tiors, md that, instead of this, l should at once
have introduced separate hills, and entered into
detail and shown in what manner propose 10 ac-
compiish the objects which the resolutions propose
Let me here say, in reply, that the ancient pinci-
plos and mode OF legislation which has ever pre-
vaEed from the foundation of this Government. has
beca 10 FIX first upon the general principles which
are To guide us, aud then 10 carry these princi
pies by detailed legislation. Such has ever been
the course pursued, not only in the country from
which we derive our lesis alive institutions but in
oar own Tho memorable resolution offered in the
Brush House OF Commons by the celebrated Mo
DunnIng IS no doubt familiar TO the mind of every
one-ihat "thc power Of the Crown tand II is
equally true of our own Chief Mnsistrate) had in
creased, was increasing, and ought to oe diminish
ed" When was n member Of another legislative
body, which meets in the opposite extremity Of this
Capitol, il was the course, in reference to the great
questions OF internal Improvement and other leading
measures OF public policy, TO propose specific reso-
Iu;ions gong to mark out the principles OF action
which ought TO he adopted, and then to carry out
these principles by subsequent ennctmcnts. Ano-
OF tese resolutions which is this: that by the Con-
stuton no bill for raising revenue can originate
nay where but in the House Of Representatives. Il
IS true that we cannot originate snch o bill; but,
undoubtedly, in contemplating the condition Of the
public affairs, and IN the right consideration Of all
questions touching the amount of the revenue and
the mode 10 which 1t shall be raised and involving
the great questions Of expenditure and retrench.
meni, and how far the expenses of the Government,
inay safely and properly he diminished IL is per
or IN doll nd
duty may demand. There can be no question but
that, during the present session of Congress a bill
oI revenue will he sent 10 us from the other House
and 1t, when 1t c1mes, we shall first have gone
through with consideration OF the general subject
ix'ng The principles of policy proper he pursued
~ relation 10 IT, it will greatly economist the time Of
Tue Senate and proportionably save large amount
oi the public money.
Perhaps no better mode can be pursued Of discus.
sing the resolutions have had the honor 10 present
than IN take them up in the order of their arrange
ent, rs presented them to the Senate after m uch
deliberate consideration.
The FIRST resolution declares
Ihatis the duty Of the General Government for con
within the year meet the current eTpefSe oft yesr.
and HAT eNpeienf either by or Treasury noes
10 IeTnirious consequence"
have heard it asserted that this resolution is but
fuiSn. IL so, regret To say that IL is one from
winch Governments too often depart, and from
which this Government especially has departed
during the last five years. Has an ADEQUATE revenue
been provided within each of those years to meet
The necessary expenses OF those same years. No; |
far otherwise.
ia 1887, at the called session. instead OF imposne
the requisite amount Of taxes on the free articles
according 10 the provisions Of the compromise act
what was the resort Of the Administration To |
istlsury notes. And the same expedient Of |
Treasury notes was ever since adopted, from year |
TO year. TO supply the deficit nocruing. And. Of |
necessity, this policy cast upon the Administration
rncceedng an unaseeriained nnliquida.ed debt, in
duo'ng temporary necessity that Adminis,ra- I
lion 70 have resort TO the same means Of supply.
do not advert to these facts with any purpose of
elimination or recrlmnaiion. Far from it, For we |
have Te1ched that state OF tie public affairs when
the country lies bleeding at every pore, and when.
rs earnestly hope and trust, we shall, by common
consent, dispense with our party prejujices, and
agree TO look at any measure proposed for the
public relief as patriots and statesmen | saw then
hat during tue four years of the Administration OF
MIR Van Buren,, there was an excess Of expenditure
over the income OF the Government to the amount
NJ between seven and eight millions Of do ars ard
! say that u was the duty Of that Administration
the moment they found this deficit TO exist in the |
revenue, TO have resored 10 the adequate remedy
ny laying the requisite amount Of taxes the free
articles 10 meet and 10 supply the deficiency.
| shall say nothing more on the first resolution.
because do hope that, whatever the previous prac
lice of this Government may have BEEN there is no |
Senator here WHO will hesitate TO concur in the
truth Of the general propositions i: contains.
The next three resolutions all relate 10 the same |
general subJecis-s.becis which consider much |
'hc most important Of any here set forth; and ! |
shall, for that reason, conider them together.
The second resolution asserts
THAT such an aleq-a,e revenue cannot be ottanedbv
iIuos on loI % imports without adopting higher rate
uln twenty per cent, as provided FOR the compfonIsc
act Which, az The time u its passage " az .rJ
sumo M rae liN would supply sufficient revenue
Ior an economical administration 90 the Government"
The third resolution concludes
That the Of duties on foreign imports oigt, IN t
afmcn'b beyond the rate Of ~ per cent ~ 10 pfo
dncc nett revenue oi weniy SIX millions Of dolIais-
ufyfNo fuT tic ordinary expenses 0vcrqnonf too
fr me pymcnioi me existing debt, aud twO millions A.
for contingencies"
The fourth resolution asserts
Iha' Boo te a. usiment Of tsr raise an amount Of
fr"n.se act generally should adhered TO- and fiat eq
pccay maximum rate Of adj valorem Iues should be
tfrc a. possible" 'F
The first question which these resolutions surses.
D 'hH; What should be the amount Of the annual
expenditures Of this Government Now. on tb,s
poinii shall not attempt, what is impossible 10 be
exact and precise In stating what that NAV he. W.
can only make an approximation. No man In his
puVato ahaTs con say or prstends 20 say. AZ the
beginning OF the year, precisely what 8 ali be the
amount OF ms expenses during the year. that must
depend on many Unforeseen contingencies. which
cannot with any precision be calculated beforehand.
oil that can be done Is 20 make On appfoximatton
10 what ought 10 be or what NAV b. Tho nrnount
Before consider that question gllow me IN en-,
rect, here, an assertion made FIRST by the Senate,
from South Carolina, lMr CihounJ and subse
quoniy Ivy tho Senator from Missouri near mr..