The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-03-29
SPEECH OFF NaEs. CLAY
UPON HIS RESOLUTIONS CONCERNING THE TARIFF
! AND OTHER GREAT OBJECTS PUBLIC PoLITY.
March ! =.
In SENATE


Mr.. CLAY rose and addressed the Senate near
ly as follows: Mr. President-The resolutions
which have just been read, and which are to form
the subject of the present discussion, are of the
greatest Importance involving interests of The high
est character. and system of policy which, in my
opinion, lies Mt tho bottom Of any restoration Of the
County. In discussing them, would address my>
self TO you in the language Of planness, Of sober.
ness and truth. did not come here as IT were
entering garden full Of flowers and of the richest
shrubbery. 10 Gull the tearoses, the japonlcas the
jasmnes and woodbnes, and weave them into
garland of the gayes, colors, that by the beauty Of
their assortment and by their fragrance may graf
ify fair ladies. Nor is it my wish--it IS far, far
from my wish-to revive any subjects OF q party
character, which might be calculated renew
the animosities, which unhappIy have hitherto
prevailed between the two great political pai ties
in the Country. My course is far different from
this ii is to speak 10 you Of the sad condition Of
our country-to point out, not the remote and orig
nal but the proximate ,the immediate causes which
have produced and are likely to continue our dis
tresses, and TO suggest remedy. any one, in or
out OF the Senate, has imag ned il 10 be my inten
ton, on tins occasion, TO indulge in any ambitious
display oflanguage,to attempt any rhetorical flights
or TO deal in any other figures than figures of arih
metic, he will find himself greatly disappointed
The farmer, if he is n juaicous man, does not be-
gin TO plough till he has first laid off his land, and
marked it off at proper distances by planting stakes
by which his ploughmen are to be guided in their
NOV emens; and the ploughman accordingly fixes
his eye on the stake opposite to the end Of the des-
tined furrow, and then endeavors to reach il by a
straight and diiect iurrow. These resolutions are
my stakes.
But, before l proceed to examine them, let me
first and obviate certain objections which, as
understand, have been may be urged against
them generally. learn that is said of these
ouiiGns that they present Only general PROPOSE.
tons, and that, instead Of this, should at once
have Introduced separate bills, aud red into do
tail aud shown in what manner propose to accom-
psh the objects which the resolutions PROPOSE
Let me here say in reply, that the ancient princi
piles aud mode of leg islaiion which have ever pre-
vailed from the foundation OF this Government has
been TO fix first upon the general pr nciples which
guide US, and then to carry out these princi-
pies by detailed legislation. Such has ever been
the course pursued, not only in the country from
which derive our legislative institutions, but in
our own. The memorable resolution offered in The
British House of Commons by the celebrated Mr..
Dunning, is no doubt familiar TO the mind of every
one-that 'the power of the Crown (and il is equal
y true of our own Chief magistrate )had increased,
was increasing, and ought to be diminished
When was member Of Their legislative body
which meets In the opposite extremity of this cap
itol, 1t was the course, in reference To tho great
questions of internal Improvement and other lead
ing measures of public policy, to propose specific
resolutions going to mark out the principles OF
ton which ought to be adopted, and then 10 carry
out these principles by subsequent enactmenis -
Another objection is urged las understand against
one of these resolutions which is this: that by the
Constitution no bill for raising revenue can origin
ate anywhere but ia the House OF Representatives
1t IS true that we cannot originate such bilI but
undoubtedly, in contemplating the condition of the
public affairs, and IN the right consideration OF all
questions touching the amount of revenue and the
mode in which it shall be raised and involving the
great questions of expenditure aud retrenchment
and how far the expenses of the Government may
safely and properly be diminished, il perfectly
Legitimate for US TO deliberate and TO duty
may demand There be no question but
that during the present session of Congress, bill
of revenue will be sent to from the other House;
and it, when it comes, shall first have gone
oEt ia Oana al c1hi
fixing the principle of policy proper to be pursued
in relation 10 it, II will greatly economist the time
of the Senate and proportionabIy save large "a
mount of The public money.
Perhaps no better mode can be pursued OF dis
cussing The resolutions have had the honor to
present. than to take them up in the order of their
arrangement as presented them to the Senate ,af-
ter much deliberate consideration.
The first resolution declares
"'rhat il is the duty ofthe General Government,
for conducting its administration, 10 provide an adj
equate revenue within the year 10 meet the cur
rent expenses of the year; and that any expedient
either by loan or Treasury notes, to supply,in time
of peace, deficiency OF revenue especially during
successive years, is unwse, and must lead to per-
nicious consequences.
have heard it asserted that this resolution is
but trusm. II so, regret to say that it is
from which Governments too often depart, and
from which this Government especially has depar-
ted 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.
In 1887, at the called session, instead Of imPos'
ing the requisite amount of taxes on the Tree arti-
Giles according the provisions Of the compromise
act, what was the resort of the Administration
To Treasury notes. And the same expedient OF
Treasury notes was since adopted, from year
to year, to supply the deficit accrulng. And ofne
cessity this policy cast upon the Admin tfation
succeeding an unascertained unIiqudated debt, in
ducing temporary necessity on that Adminisra
ton to have resort to the same means OF supply.
IL Al faRtG
of elimination or recriminatIon. Far from 1t For
we have reached that State of The public affairs
when the country lies bleeding al every pore, and
when, as earnestly hope and trust we shall, by
common consent, dispense with our party prejnd
ces, and agree to look any measure proposed for
public relief as patriots and statesmen say then
that during the four years of the administration OF
Mr.. Van Buren,. there was an excess of expend
ture over the income Of the Government to the a.
mount of between seven and eight millions of dol-
lars and say that it was the duty OF that Admin