The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-04-07
Speech OF Var. Clay,
Upon his resolutions concerning the Tariff
dother great measures Of public polliy.
IL SFxATF MApCU

ate nearly 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 creates; i'm.
portance, involving Interests of lie highest
character, and system Of policy which in
my opinion, lies at the bottom of any res,o.
ration Of the prosperity Of the country. In
discussing them would address myself to
you IN the language Of plaiDness, of So
berness, and truth. did not come here as
If | we're entering garden full of flowers
aud of the richest shrubbery, to Gull the
tea roses, the japonlcas, the jasmines and
woodbines, and weave them into garland
Of the gayesi colors, that by the beauty o!
of their assortment and by thoir fragrance
| may crafty fair ladies'. Nor is il my
wish, is FAR, far from my wish-to re-
vive any subjects of party character, or
which might be calculated 10 renew the
anlmosltles which unhappily have hitherto
prevailed between the two great political
parties Of the country. My course is far
different from this; II is 10 speak to you
OF the sad condition Of our coun.ry--to
point out not III. remote and original, but
the proxima,e, The immediate causes which
bave produced and are likely to continue
our distrosses, and TO suggest q remedy
Ii any one, 10 or out Of the Senate, has INA
glned il TO be my intention, on this occasion,
TO indulge IN any ambitious display Of Ian.
guage, TO attempt any rhetorical flights, or
TO ceal in any other figures than figures OF
arithmetic, he will find himself greatly dis.
appointed. The farmer, if he is judicious
man, does not begin 10 plough I'LL he has
first laid off his land, and marked il off at
proper distances Ky planting stakes by
which his ploughmen are TO be guided in
their movements; and the poughman &C
cordingly fixes his eye Upon the stake oppo.
site to the end Of the destined furrow, and
then endesvors 10 reach it by straight
and direct fuIrow. These resolutions are
my stakes.
But before proceed TO examine them,
lei HE frs, NEE, and obviale certain oblec.
iions. which, as understand, have Deer
or may he urged against them generally.
| learn that il is said Of these resolutions
that they present only general propositions
aud that, instead Of this, should al once
have introduced separate bills, and entered
into detail aud shown in what mannel
proposed to accomplish the objects which
the resolutions propose. Lei me here say
10 reply, that the ancient principles ant
mode of legislation which has ever pre-
4 l.. a..
ment, has been to fix first upon the general
PRINCIPLES which are 10 guide US, and then
10 carry out these principles by detailed
legislation. Such has ever been the course
pursued, not only 10 the country from
which we derive our legislative institutions,
but IN our own. The memorable resolu.
ton offered in the British House Of Com
mons by the celebrated Mr.. Dunnlng is no
doubt familiar to the mind of every one
that " the power Of the Crown land II is
equally true Of our own Chief Maglstrale(
had increased, was increasing, and ought
TO be diminished" When | was mem
Ter Of another legislative body, which meets
in the opposite extremity Of this capital, it
was the course, in reference 10 the great
questions of internal improvement and 9th
err leading measures Of public policy, to pro.
pose specific resolutions going TO mark out
the principles Of action which ought 10 be
adopted, and then 10 carry on, these prln
clples by subsequent enactments. Another
objection, as | understand, against one OF
these resolutions, is this that by the Con-
stltuiion no bill for raising revenue can orig
mate anywhere but in the House of Repre-
senativcs. II is true that we cannot orlgI,
nate such bill but, undoubtedly, in con
lempatiug the condition Of the public atolrs
and in the right consideration OF all questions
touching tho amour; Of the revenue and
the mode in which it shall be raised, and
involving the great questions OF expendi.
ture aud retrenchment, and how tar the
expenses of the Government may safely
and properly be diminished, It is perfectly
legitimate for US to deliberate and act as
duty may demand. There can be no ques
ton but that, during the presen, session of
Congress, bill OF revenue will be sen: to
us from the other House and If, when il
comes, We shall first have gone through
with q consideration Of tho general subject,
liking the policy proper to be pursued IN re
lation to it, it viii greatly economist the
time of the Senate and propor,ionably save
large amount Of the public money.
Perhaps no better mode can be pursued
Of discussing the resolutions have had the
honor to present, than TO take them up in
the order Of their arrangement, as present.
ed them to the Senate, after much delbe.
rate consideration.
The first Resolution declares
THAT II is the duty Of the General Gov
eminent, for conducting lis administration,
to provide an adequate revenue within the
year TO meet the current expenses of the
year; and that any expedlent, either bytoan
or treasury notes, to supply, in time OF peace,
a deficiency of revenue, especially during
successive years, is unwlse, aud must lead
to peruicious consequences"
have heard it asserted that this resolu
ton is but a tTuism. Ii so, regret to say
tina. il is one from which this Government
esnec,aiiv has deDarted curing the last five