The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1843-09-05
From the Nashville Bonner.
LETTER FROM Mr.. CLAY.

we thhnh OUT nciSuootso VI Nhe As'"et
turia for having called forth the following
valuable letter. l,expresses, IN condens'
ed form, the views Of public policy in re-
gstd TO the great interests OF The country
10 The maintenance and diffusion Of which
80 macy Of The lllus,rious orators greatest
speeches have beeu devoted. IL breathes
also the spirit Of enlightened beneyolence,
aud comprehensive patriotism which disiin-
su,sh bis private aud public character:
ASHLAND. August, ls43.
TO Tie Publishers Of The Team. State AgrieE!-
tHriSt
GENTLEMEN--I duly received sour let
ter, requesting my presen, views as TO the
station that the Mechanical portion OF our
population should occupy in the U. States,
and also az to the subject Of Home ludaslry
and Manufactures. Although | have often
had occasion publicly to express my opln-
ions GU these matters, ! take pleasure in
communicating tLem TO YOU.
II has always appeared to ne, Gentle
men, that the task Of administering our
common government would not 10 very
difficult. If honesty, liberailIy and reasona-
bic information were carried into the pub
lie councils. Il wns instituted to promote
the general prosperity, By q faithful exer-
cIse Of the powers granted by the Constr
tuition. All parts OF the Union, and all the
great interests Of the country should there
fore receive the pareutal care and attention
6lsthe Government. No one section, and
hosone interest should desire or expect 10
spgross rs exclusive regard.
The main pillars OF society are Agricul
ture, Commerce. including Navigation, and
Manufactures, Including The Mechanic Arts.
Owing to the peculiar position Of the Cni
ted States, Agriculture requires bu, htlle
proteciiuG, aud that confined 10 iew
branches Of It. IL IS otherwise slih the
other tao interests. They require some
protection agains, the selfish Legislation and
the rivalry Of FoteIgn powers, which to
make II bene6clal and eftcciual should poo
sess two qualities, moderation and stability,
intimately connected with each other
Wnhou, moderation. other interests would
feel that they had been unjusily dealt by,
dissatisfaction would ensue, and that sta.
blli,y ia legislation, so desirable in all bus,
ness and pursuits, would not be served.
Protection TO Manufactures and com
merce is in fact, whatever II may be- 10
form, encouragement to AsrcUliure The
culllyator Of the soil is conscious Of the
great advantage Of having along side u him
The Blacksmith. the " heelwrlghi, The
Saddler and llarnessmaaer, the Shoemsk
sr, the Cablnetmaker, and Masons and
HIS comforts and there's are
both Increased by such proximity, and they
are enabled TO augment their respective
productions. Bus Of what avail would II
be to multiply them, without Commerce.
foreign and domestic, whose Office ~ TO d,s-
tribute the surpius produce OF Agriculture
and Of the fabrics OF the Mechanic aud Ma
nufacturer
am so far friend TO free trade ns to
,hlnk that, within the limits of the Union,
II should be entirely unie,ierrd, md perfect.
iy equal between all interests aud all parts
Of our country. But 10 that free trade.
which would throw vide open OR ports to
Foreign predictions, witbou, duties, theirs
remaining closed 10 Us or our sdmlssion al.
lowed only upon the condition OF high do
ties and severe restriction which would
compel resort to direct taxation, instead Of
a Custom House, 10 supply the wants Of The
Federal Treasury and which would leave
our domestic industry unprotected, aed ex
posed n an unequal contest with the rival
productions Of Foreign povc,s, am utter.
" end irrecnneilably opposed. | had hoped.
and supposed, that all would have cheerful.
ly rallied around Tariff whlch, seeking 70
supply tho Treasury Silh 40 adequate rcye-
nuc, for an homes, and economical admins
iralIon Of the Government, should nj the
same time, Incidentally, by proper dtscrim
nation, extend reasona ble protection 10 such
branches Of our domestic industry as need
I'd tt. That is all wh,chl IS now asked a. 10
sisted upon. But even that moderate and
equitable basis, for tile 6nal settlement OF
this great aud yexcd question, cocoun'en
strong and decided opposition.
The Mechanic Arts, from the commence
meut o. the operation of our presen, Con
sI'lutIon, have constantly enpyed s1iue do
gree Of protection from Government, ~ the
form OF duties imposed on fabrics Of foreign
Mechanics und ihIuk II ought 10 be co.,
timed.
With respect 10 the STATEN ahich that
portion Of cur population engaged IN Me
cbanlcal pursuits ought to occupy IN the l..
States, think that sIl Chlzeus, native and
naiufallzed, without any regard TO their
respective vocatious, should ENJOY such con
sidsfatlon IN Society, as IL due to their VIZ
tue and intelligence, their industry, sobrie.
~, aud general department.
With cordial acknowledgment, Gentle.
men, for the sentiments &c esteem and con.
fidence, which you have done the the hon
or 10 express towards me,
] am your friend and obedieu; servant,
III. CLAY.
NEssRs. CAMERON g. FAIL.