Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-04-09
SPEECH OF sR. CLAY,
UPON Ills RESOLUTIONS CONCERNING THE IA
RIFF AND OTHER GREAT OBJECTS OF
PUBLIC POLICY.
In SENATE, March 81.

| The Resolutions having been read
Mr.. CLAY rose and addressed the Sen
ate nearly as follows: Mr.. Presldcnt-The
resolutions which have just been read, and
which are to form the present discussion,
are Of the greatest importance, involving
interests Of the highest character, and a
system of policy which, in my opinion, lies
at the bottom Of any restoration Of the
prosperity of the country. In discussing
them, ! would address myself TO you in the
language of plainness, of sobcrness, and
truth. did not come here as if were
entering garden full of flowers and the
richest shrubbery, to Gull the tea roses the
japonicas, the jasmnes and woodbincs,
and weave them into garland of the gay
est coIors, that by the beauty of their as
sortment and by their fragrance may graf
ify fair ladies. Nor is it my wish.-it is far.
far from my wish--ip revive any subjects
OF party character, or which might be
calculated to renew the anmosties which
unhappiy have hitherto prevailed between
the .wo great political parties in the Coun-
| try. My course is far different from this
! it is to speak to you Of the sad condition of
our country-to point out, not the remote
and original but the prozimate, the immc-
date causes which have produced and are
likely to continue our ds,resses, and to sug-
gest remedy. If any one, in or out of
the Senate. has imagined it TO be my inen-
ton, on this occasion, TO indulge in any
ambitious display of language, TO attempt
any rhetoric,fights. or to deal in any other
figures than figures Of arithmetic. he will
find himself greatly disappointed. The
farmer, if he is a ludcious man, does moi
begin to plough till be has laid off his land.
and marked it off at proper distances by
planting stakes by which his pIoughmen are
to be guided in their movements; and the
ploughman accordingly fixes his eye upon
the stake opposite to the end Of the dcs-
tined furrow. These resolutions are nv
stakes.
But, before ] proceed to examine them,
let me first meet and obviatc certain obiac-
tons. which, as understand, have been or
may be urged against them generally. |
learn that it is said of these resolutions hat
they present only general propositions, and
that, instead Of this, should at once have
introduced separate bills, and entered jaio
detail and shown in what manner propose
| to accomplish the OBJ o IS which the resoiil-
tions propose. Let me here say, in reply.
that the ancient principles and mode OF
legislation which have ever prevailed from
the foundation of this Government. has
been to fix first upon the general principles
which are 10 guide us, and then tu carry
out these principles by detailed legislation
Such has ever been the course pursued, not
only in the country from which we derive
our legislative institutions, but in our own.
The memorable resolution offered in the
British House of Commons by the celebra-
ted Mr.. Dunning, is no doubt familiar to
the mind of every onc--that 1.-THE pow
er Of the Crown land it is equally true of
our own Chief Magistrate) had increased,
was increasing, and ought to be dimn-
ishcd.' When was member of another
legislative body, which meets in the oppo-
site extremity Of this Capitol. it was the
course, in reference to the great questions
of internal improvement, and other leading
measures of public policy, to propose spe-
Cific resolutions going to mark out the prin-
ciples of action which ought to be adopted,
and then to carry out these principles by
subsequent enactments. Another objection
is urged, as | understand, against one of
these resolutions. which is this: that by the
Constitution no bill! for raising revenue can
originate anywhere but in the House of
Representatives. 1t is true that we cannot
originate such bill; but, undoubtedly, in
contemplating the condition of the public
affairs. and in the right consideration of all
questions touching the amount of revenue
and in the mode in which it shall be raised,
and involving the great questions Of expcn-
diturc and retrenchment, and how far the
expenses Of the Government may safely
and properly be diminished, it is perfectly
legitimate for us to deliberate and to act as
duty may demand. There can be no ques-
ton but that, during the present session Of
Congress, bill of revenue will be sent to
us from the other House; and if. when il
comes, we shall first have gone through with
Il consideration Of the general subject, fix
ing the principles of policy proper to be
pursued in relation to it, it will greatly econ
omise the time of the Senate and proper
tlonabIy 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 | pre-
scented them 10 the Senate, after much de-
| liberate consideration.
The first resolution declares
81. Resolred, That i, is the duty of thr General
Government, in conducting its administration, to
provide all adequate revenue within the year to
meet the current expenses Of the year. and that
any eXPedient either by loan or by Treasury
notes, to supply, in time of peace, deficiency OF
revenue, especially during successive years is un.
wise, and must lead 70 pslnieious consequeEces.