Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-03-28
SPEECH OF MIR. CLAY,
UPON HIS RESOLUTIONS CONCERNING
THE TARIFF AND OTHER GREAT OBJ
JEC rs OF PUBLIC POLICY.

/
! JEC rs OF PUBLIC POLICY
In SENATE, March J.
The resolutions having been read
Mr.. CLAY rose and addressed the Senate near
| ly as follows: Mr. Presdent-The resolutions
which have just been read and which are to form
the subject of the present discussion, nre of the
greatest importance, involving interests of the
highest character, and system OF policy which,
! in my opinion, lies at the bottom OF any resora-
ton of the prosperity of the Country. In discus
sing them, would address myself to you in the
/ language of painness, OF soberness, and TRUTH |
did not come here ms il were entering q garden
full of flowers and Of the richest shrnbbery, to Gull
the ea-roses, the jnponicas the iasmines and wood
bines, and weave them into garland of the gay
est coors, that by the benuty OF their assortment
and by their fragrance may crafty fair ladies'
! Nor is my wish it is far, far from my wish-to
revive any subjects Of party character or which
might he calculated to the animosilirs which
unhnppiIy have hitherto prevailed between the
two great political parties in the Country. 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 proximate,
the immediate causes which have produced and
likely TO continue dstresses, and to suggest
n remedy If any one, in or out of the SeIiatc, has
imagined it to be my intention, OH this OCCASION to
indulge in any ambitious display Of language, to
attempt any rhetorical flights or TO deal in any
other figures than figures of arithmetic, he will
| find himself greatly disappointed. The farmer
If he is judcious nian, does not begin to plough
ill he has first laid off his land, and marked it off
at proper distances by planting stakes by which
his pIOughnen are TO I've guided in their move
mens and the poughman accordingly fixes his
eye upon the stake opposite to the eud of the des-
tined lurrow, and then endeavors to reach it by a
straight and direct iurrow. These resolutions ure
my stakes.
But, before proceed to examine them, let me
first meet aud obviate certain objections, which, rs
| understand, have been or may be urged against
them generally. learn that it is said of these
resolutions that they present only general PROPOSE
lions, aud that, instead Of this | should at once
have introduced separate bills, and entered into
detail and shown in what manner propose to ac-
complsh the objects which the resolutions propose.
Let ne here say, in reply that the ancient princi-
pies aud mode oflegisation which have ever pre-
vailed from the foundation of this Government,
has been TO fix first upon the general principles
which are 10 guide us, and then 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 offer
ed in the British House OF Commons by the cele-
braed MIR. Dunnng, is no doubt familiar TO the
mind OF every one-that &C The power ofthe Grown
land il is equally true of our own Chief Mags-
trate) had increased, was increasing, and ought TO
he diminished" When was member of an
other legislative body, which meets in the extrem-
my of this Capitol, it was the course in reference
to the great questions ofinternal improvement and
other leading measures OF public policy, to pro-
pose SPECIFIC resolutions going to mark out the
prlnci pies of action which ought to he adopted
and then to carry out these principles by suisse
quent enactments Another objection is urged, a:
| understand, against one of these resolutions
which is this that by he Constitution no bill for
raising revenue can originate anywhere but in the
House o. Representatives. 1t is true that we can.
not originate such bill but undoubtedly in con-
templating the condition of the public affairs, and
III The right consideration of all questions touch
ing the amount ofrevenue and the mode in which
it shall be raised, aud involving the great ques
tons of expenditure and retrenchment and how
far thu expenses of the Government may safe N
and properly be diminished, it is perfectly egit
mate for us to deliberate aud TO act us duty may
demand. There can he no question but that, dur
ing the present session Of Congress, bin of rev.
enue will be sent TO us from the other House
and it, when it comes, we shall first have gone
through with a consideration of the general sub
iect, fixing the principles OF policy proper to he
pursued in relation to it, it will greatly economist
the time Of the Senate and proportlonaby save
large amount of The public money
Perhaps no better mode can be pursued OF dis
cussing the resolutions have had the honor tc
present, than to take them in the order OF theil
arrangement, as | presented them TO the Senate
after much deliberate consideration.
The first resolution declares
"That it is the duty of tho General Govern.
nent, for conducting its administration, TO provide
an adequate revenue within the year 10 meet the
current expenses of the year and that any expe-
dent, either by loan or Treasury notes, to supply
in time of peace, deficiency OF revenue, espe.
cally during successive years is unwise, and mus
lend TO perniciOus consequences"
have heard it asserted that this resolution is
but a rruisn. lIso, regret TO say that it is one
rni (rpVprnpppIs
from which this Government especially has de-
parted 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 OIL the free art
ces according to the provisions OF the comproui.
Use net, what was the resort Of the Administra
non? To Treasury notes And the same eXpe.
dient of notes was ever since adopted, from yeai
10 year, TO supply the deficit accruing And
of necessity, this policy cast upon the Admins
Iratlon succeeding an unascerained, unqudatet
debit inducing temporary necessity on that Ad
mlnlsratiOn 10 have resort To the same means O
supply.
do not advert TO these facts with any purpos,
of elimination or recrmDatiun. Far from it,
For we have reached that state of the public at
fairs when the country lies bleeding at every pore
aud when as ! earnestly hope and trust we shall
by common consent, dispense with on: party pre-
JUDGES, and agree to look at any measure propos
ed for the public relief as patriots and statesmen
! say, then that during the four years of the adj
miuisralion of Mr.. Van Buren,, there was ex
cess OF expenditure over the income of the Gov
eminent to the amount of between seven AM
eight millions Of dollars; and say that it was th
duty of that Administration, the moment they
found this deficit to exist in the revenue, to have
resorted TO the adequate remedy by laying the re-
quiste amount oltaxes on The free articles to NEE
aud to supply the deficiency.
shall say nothing more on the first resolution
because | do hope that, whatever the previous
practice of this Government may have been, ther,
is no Senator here who will hesitate TO concur il
the truth of the general propositions il contains.
The next three resolutions all relate TO the saInt
general subjects subjects which consider muci
the most important of any here SET forth and
shall, for that reason, consider them together.
Il