Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-05-12
DIR. CLAY'S ANSWER.

cation which you did me the honor to trans
NIT to him for me on the 3lst ultmo, and /
have perused it with lively and grateful sensi-
bility. Such testimony, proceeding from a
source highly distinguished aud respected, pre-
scented at the close of my public life. will be
cherished by me in my retirement with the
highest satisfaction, and will add great strength
to the consciousness feel that, III all the pub
lie stations to which ! have been called, /
have honestly labored faithfully to perform
my whole duty to the public
In the briefbut nat,ering review which you
have taken OF my public career you have just
ly conceived the motives of my conduct
With respect to the measures themselves. 10
the adoption of which may have contributed,
VIII not undertake TO pronounce any decis-
i've Judgment OF their influence upon the in
terests, the honor, and the character of the ma
ton, the present generation, and posicritv, if
recollection OF my agency i'll maturing them
shall survive me, are and will be the most
competent and impartial Judges of them and of
me- But you have truly attributed to me a
genuine American spirit in whatever concern |
have had IN public affairs, and especially in re-
terence TO great system of National policy.
Divided as mankind are, ever have been,
and will continue TO be, into distinct nations.
tits the solemn duty of each, whilst it deals
justly and literally towards others, cons tanilv
and sedulously to advance, protect. and MAIN
tam, Its own separate interests. To at,empt
to legislate for them, or TO expect or permit,
them to lesislate for us, would be alike vain
and improper.
IL was view OF this condition of the world
ana instructed by lessons of experience drawn
from lis history, and the practice of other ma
t'ins, that early led me to conclusion in ia
Vor OF The protection OF the don este il dustry
Oh our own country. My convictions have
acquired additional strength from every rcacc-
tlon could give the subject, and from both
Pastahu PfesenteXperience in the United States
Free trade is beautiful vision, existing only
IN the imagination of philosophers and iheor-
lists, and practically repud;ated by all nations.
An indispensable condition TO the adoption of
II by any one nation is its adoption hv all.
Out, instead OF regulating their trade according
10 lhat theory, we everywhere behold restric-
lions, burdens, and prohibitions; and those
nations which make the nearest approximation
10 IL are IN the least prosperous State During
me last hine years, about one-half of our i'm
ports have been admitted free of duty and.
us 10 the other moieiy, descending scale of
dunes mas been III progress, which is now rn-
pidiy bringing them down II there were auv
reality iii the boastlui promises of the par,sans
OF Tree trace, our country ought at this mo-
menl to be in the enjoyment of an enviable
! prosperity. But directly the reverse is lis me-
lancholy condition. Never were the products
oil agriculture selling at more Giscourarino
prices and the great Southern s;anie of cot
Ton, which was to have been so highly benefit
ed by reduction Of duties, is now sold at a
prlce less than it has commanded at any time
since the last war with Great Britain.
Nothing can bemore erroneous than 10 suD-
pose the existence Of any real incompatibilitv
! between the interests ofagrcuture, commerce.
ana manufactures. A conflict between them
would be Just as unnatural and absurd as be-
tween the members of the human body. Each
prospers most when all of them flourish A.
griculture requires but Interpretation. because
lis position secures it against much foreign
competition or, rather, protection TO com
inerce and manufactures is the best form of Of
ierlng protection TO agriculture.
Nlthouta diversity in the occupations OF
society, II all are engaged i'll one common
pursuit, there can be no subjects produced for
mutual domestic exchanges, and consequently
no home market, by far the best, most steady
In war and peace, and most valuable of all
markets
We shall not, ] fear, rise from our embar-
rassed condition until we produce, within GU,
own country, more of the supplies necessary
to consumption, and depend less upon foreign
, countries. Until that object is accomplished
we shall be constantly exposed to an exhaust
ing drain OF the precious metals, and TO suddcr
5 alterations of delusvc prosperity and rea
adversely. One of the obvious modes of ac
comPlishing that object is the regulation o
our foreign trade by means Of properly ad
jused tariff, stimulating production at hom
and diminishing imporiations from abroad
! And all experience has shown that, OH what
ever object our manufacturing industry ba
been successfully employed, lis price to In
consumer has been almost invariably reduced
ms Is the necessary effect of the law of com
petition.
: Inc question is sometimes asked, how tn
manufacturer can be benefited by an increas
OF duties IT the effec; be to reduce prices
The answer is, that he is benefited bv obtain
ing possession of greater extent of HON
market, and by the greater steadineSs whic
prevails in it, whilst the foreign producer. +
order to share any part of that market, is oh
iiged first 10 submit TO reduction in the uric
"i his commodity cquvalen, to the duty. an