Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1842-03-26

IN THE u. 5. l..
The resolutions having been read
Mr.. CLAY roso and addressed the Senate neal
" as follows: Mr.. President: The resolution
which have Just been read, and Which ARE 10 forr
the subject OF The present discussion, are OF tn
greatest Importance, involving interests OF tn
highest character, and a system OF policy which
IN my opinion, lies at the bottom Of any restora
ton of the prosperity Of the country. In discus
sing them, l would address myself 20 you IN tn
language Of plainness, OF soberness, and truth.
did not come here as If | were entering gardel
full Of flowers aud of the riches, shrubaefy, I
Gull the tea roses. the japonicas, tho JasamInes !
vOodbines, and weave them INTO n garland OF III
gayest colors, that bv tho beauty Of their assert
ment and by their fragrance may crafty fair la
dies. Nor IS IL my wish-it 10 far, far from IN
wish-to revive any subjects OF "A party characi
err or which might be calculated to renew the an
imosities which unhnppIly have hitherto prevail
ed between the two great political parties IN TIT
country. My co1rso is far different from this; i
is TO speak to you Of the sad condition Of our coun
ny-lo poin, out not the remote and original, bu
the proxinaie, tho Immediate causes which have
produced and are likely to continue our distress
es. md to snggcs, IA remedy. Ii any one, IN OF
out OF the Senate, has imagined II TO be my IN
iention, on this occasion, To indulge ia any am
bilious display Of language, 10 tempt any rhet
oricaI flights, or 10 deal IN any other figures thar
figures of arithmetic, he will find himself greatly
disappointed. The farmer, If he 10 a lldcious
mar, does not begin To plough TIL he has tlfst lac
of his land, and marked 1t off at proper dis
tances by planting stakes BY which his plough
men are to be guided in their movements; und
the ploughtnan accordingly fixes his e. c upon the
stake opposite to the end Of the destined furrow,
and then endenvors to reach it by Il straight and
direct fnrrow. These resolutions are nv stakes
But, before ! proceed to examine them, let me
first meet md obvIate certain objections, which
as understand, have been or may be urged a
gains, them generally. learn that IL IS SAID OF
these resolutions hat they pressut only general
proposiIous, and that, instead of this, | should al
once hnve introduced separate bills, aud entered
lutu detail md shown IN what manner | propose
to accomplish the objects which tho resolutions
propose. Let uee here say, in reply, that The an
cIent principles and mode Of Legislation which has
ever prevailed from the foundation Of this Gov
eminent. has becn to fix first upon the genera
principles which are "a guide TIA, and then TO car
~ out these principles by detailed Legislation.
Surh has ever been the course pursued, not only
IN the country from which we derive our lcGIsla>
tive institutions. but IN our own. The niempra
bic resolution offered in the British llpuse OF Com
mons 10y the celebrated NJ. Dnpning is no doubt
familiar TO the mind of every one-that" the pow
or Of the Crown (and IT is equally true Of our own
Chief Maglstrate) had increased, was increasing.
and ought to be diminished" When | was Il
member OF another legislative body. which meets
III the opposite extremity of this Capitol. 1t was
the course, IN reference TO the great questions Of
internal Improvement and other leading measures
OF public policy. 10 propose SPECIFIC resolutions 90
ing TO mark out the principles OF action which
ought 10 be adopted, and then 10 carry out these
principles by subsequent enactmcnts. Another
objection IS urged, as | understand, against one
OF these resolutious. which is this: that by the
Constitution no bill for raising revenue can orI.
s,nate anywhere but in the House Of Represen-
ta'ives- Ii IS true that we cannot originate such
ablll; but, undonbtedlv. IN contemplating tho con-
dltion Of the public %atl,irs, and in the right con-
sideraiion Of al! questions touching the amount
OF the revenue and the mode IN which it shall be
raised. and involving the great question of expen-
dIture and retrenchment, and how far the expen-
ses of the Government may safely and properly
be diminished, 1t is perfectly legitimate FOR US to
deliberate and to act rs duty may demand. There
can be TO question bat, that, during the present
session OF Congress, a bill Of revenue will be
sent TO us from the other House; and if, when it
comes, we shall frs, have gone through will, a
consideration of the general subject, fixing the
principles Of policy proper TO be pursued in rela-
ton to II, II will be greatly economist the time of
The Senate and proportIonably save a large a.
mount of the public money.
ferhaPs no better mode can be pursued Of dis
cussIng the resolutions | have had the honor 10
present, than TO take them W in the order Of their
arrangement, as | presented them to the Senate.
alter much deliberate consideration.
The first resolution declares
THAT { Is the duty IF the General Government. for con-
quoting us administrations to provide an adequat tie revenue
within the year 70 NEE, the current expenses OF the wear:
and that any expedieni, either by loan or Treasury notes.
osupply. IN time OF peace, a deficiency OF revenue. espe-
ela'y during successive years, is unwise, and must lead 10
psrnicious conseguences.r
! have heard i, asserted tina, this resolution Is
OUT a ,ruism. If so. | regret TO say that il. is one
rom which Governments too often depart, aud
from which this Government especially has aepar.
'eu during the last five wears. Has an adequate
revenue been provided within each of those wears
meet me necessary expenses OF those same
years! No; far otherwise.
In 1887, at the called session., Instead Of i'm.
posing the requisite amount of taxes on the free
articles, according 10 the provisions Of the COM
promise act. what WAS tho nsa -