The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-04-26

Mr.. CLAY,
In his great closing speech IN review oil the
arguments opposed to his resolutions, conters@
ded that the compromise act never was under
stood TO be the fixed law and policy OF tho
Government, but that the ad Ualorem duty could
al auy time be reduced or raised as the ext
gencies Of the government might require.
Mr. e.. took occasion to speak ofthe dlslribu-
ton of the public lands. This fund was never
intended as the basis of revenue.
Mr.. Clay then adverted to the assertion OF
Mr.. Calhoun that there was no retTeDchDIeDt
at the extra session Of Congress. He showed
the great debt imposed upon this administra-
ton by the extravagant profligacy and expen-
diture of that TO which Mr.. Calhoun observing
his former friends) had chosed to ally himself.
If such reproaches against this new admins
traiion were appropriate from any quarter,
they came with exceeding bad grace from that
by which they were advanced. Why did not
the Senator from New York, (Mr. Whght)
and the Senator from New Hampshire Mr..
Woodbury. who then sat at the head OF the
Treasury, set Nv an example of this very de-
sirable retrenchmentl The LATER had walked
I'D. toward the close of his term of office, and
had made prodgious efforts to reduce the ex-
penses of the Government for 1910. But look
at the circumstances under which this great
effort was made. An election was approach
ing and the work of retrenchment was thought
then 10 be most timely. The expenses oil the
year were reduced to between % and % mill
ions of dollars and howl By postponemeH
of expenditures in order ~ show thai result,
for effect
GYou will remember Mr.. Evans forcible ex-
position of this plausible retrenchmeni process
of Mr.. Woodbury.. 1t was done with almost
equal clearncss by Mr.. Clay, and TO the appar-
ent convic ion OF the auditors, Notwithstanding
an attempt on the part Of Mr.. Woodbury. 10
explain it away.]
Mr.. C. then insisted the present administra-
lion had cvinced an honest and sincere dispo-
stion to reduce the expenses. pnd compared
the objects for which money had been aPpro-
priaied.
And here Mr.. Clay said that as this was a
mohg the last times when he Ewould address
the senate, he would take the present opportu-
nifty of giving his opinions on our present rel
alive position toward Great Britain. lie con-
demned the unkind and licentious illusions Of
the press to Lord Ashburton, who was coming
with the olive branch in his hand from Eng,
n man whom he well knew, and who he hoped
by all lovers of peace and good order. He re-
viewed what would probably be the powers OF
Lord Ashburton, and what the results Of this
mission. Eminently, perfectly peaceful, and
advantageous to the country, IN his opinion,
whether in connection with the Northeastern
boundary, the Creole, or the right of search
questions, now pending between this Govern
ment and that Of Great Britain. He anticipa-
ted the course negotiations would take under
the powers gwen to Lord Ashburton. and show
ed that amicable arrangements between the
two countries might and would be arrived al.
In the course of this part Of his remarks, Mr..
Clay gave a strong opinion in favor Of a mu-
tual right of search, in the African seas, and
urged that bill to that effect had unce already
passed one branch Of Congress-.
He then urged the Importance of putting
the country in state Of defence. The OK
penscs of the country might be reduced TO %
or % millions He combatted Mr.. Calhoun's
idea of free trade, which was in fact free trade
on one side, and restriction on the other-the
difference between 20 per ct. on one side'and
100 per ct on the other He showed the folly
and fasehood of the doctrine, that ''manulac-
lures flourish best under a low, or unproteetiDg 3
tariff"
As it was, the English policy was ruinous
TO us, and our submission to it was disgraceful.
Free trade Free trade Free trade Such was
the startling cry of gentlemen ). and he could
conceive of no other reason for longer con-
Iinuance in his pretext than that given by DR..
Sangrado in Gil Bias, who, upon being told
that his everlasting nostrum of blood letting
and hot.water was killing every body TO whom
he prescribed it, said he could not change his
system he had written book in its favor -
and sooner than relinquish it, he would see all
the people dead and id A roar Of
laughter occurred at this happy sally.l
Mr.. Clay then declared himself as much in >
favor of the principle Of protection as ever he
was. He should live and die in that faith.-
He believed that policy would yet prevail
But he looked around him, and found the
democratic parity" one and all, in that and
other house of Congress, confessedly opposed
to this principle. Opposed, in this, to the In
dustry, the welfare, the interests Of their own
democracy"
Mr. C. adverted once more to the various
propositions heretofore made to giue alcdy the
public lands. and contended earnestly for the