Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-06-27
From Kendail's ESposi,or.l
ruE TARiFF-MR. WEBSTER


Wrong views, we think, IRE entertained relative tc
certain recent OF Mr. Webster and his friends
looking towards abandonment o! The protective pc
licy and the promotion OF Free Trade among ma
tions. In humble opinion, they have no such IN
tention.
Who has forgotten the Compromise Act, Of which
Mr. CLAY was the god father: The protective system
was giving way, basilon after has,iom under the judi
cous but vigorous attacks OF General Jackson, and the
garrison was on the point OF surrenderug al discretion
To save them, ne openly avo"ed, Mr.. Clay stepped
forward and offered a compromise, stlprlating, under
preence saving euson of blood, that their
parts should be eveed by Gsgfess, and that they
should after wears be content TO live with Their
felloy-ctzens under system OF equal laws. The
rendered compromise accepted, and the anti tariff
host laid down their arms. But the COMPROMISE was
not intended 10 be regarded by the protechonsls ano
suddenly ralyng their forces, soon as the ten years
had expired they rebuilt their fallen towers and sci
the Democracy at defiance To make their new work:
impregnable, they away the land money, ex.
tended the expenditures, and plunged the country in
debt
Reused by the base treochery, the Democracy have
resumed their arms, and have already embodied u'ce
which makes the proiectioniss rembe their strong.
hold. Thy 1ccnt cnothsr compromise They
would be glad 10 themselves IN the power 20
levy contributions upon people for ten years
under Mr. rebs,ers lead. Then they will play the
game again, they can, by any sort OF man.
agement, muster a sufficient force
We cannot think there is ans thing serious in the pro-
ect of regulating our general tariff by treaties. The
Constitution vests in Congress, not In the President and
Senate the power 'to regulate commerce with foreign
natonu. No treaty, purportng 10 effect that object,
can take effect uatI act be passed by Congress,
bringing It's provisions within the pale of the Constl.
tuition. A treaty, however ior,aa is but project
without validity binding effect, until sanctioned
legallzed by act of tie Legislative power.
MIR Webs,ers plan, therefore, like Mr. Clays, looks
TO Congress for It's sanction In that body there must
be compromise, It, we believe, the real motive
he prOiOag the system OF taxing US TO enrich the
manufacturers. Bot can such project succeed? We
think not The circumstances, both to and
things are far different from wha, they when Mr.
CLAY held out his heartiess band Deceived once, the
Democracy is not likely TO be deceived again. They
have as little put faith in Webster as IN Clay
when representing an interest which lives by decep
ton. and hourishcs by fraud. That is not ALL The
Clay compromise was made palatable the people OF
all parties by rescung the country from the nt,ng
DANCER of CONFUSION and clvi! war. State had
armed, and the General Government was asmlng-
Domestic peace seemed 20 depend on the action OF Con
greSs, and any legislation winch would certainty pre-
serve it, wac calculated 10 meet the indulgence OF The
people But there such danger now. There II
no Convento against Congress, 10 Proclamation
against Proclamation, no arming OF Brother agoins
Brother Any proposed compromise now, VIII be con
sidered in reference 10 IT'S merits altogether, and or
that ground ii will find support out OF the ranks o
the protec,ions,s. Why should IT. The Democracy
have no occasion to compromise. lie Po'eer IS al
their ocn They ought, and we trust will, readJust
the Tariff on sritt Terenue principles Whatever Incl
dental protection any interest may derive from Snch
Tariff, let them have il; but, say, compromise no
thing.
Ii may be- as we have seen il suggested that Mr.
Webster supposes there politicians in the Soutt
"soft enough to join their strength with him on tbs
basis of new compromise Such notion is worth,
of The "common sense which has distinguished Mr.
Websters political life. II might be SAID by Southern
politicians, in the case of the Clay compromise, thai
their object was TO get rid Of the system in the mos
peaceful and qniet way now compromise can only
be means Of contiauiR9 the system. II is ALREADY
PROSTATE in public opinion, and needs hut the ex
preston of that opinion through the proper organ
to PROSTATE it in fact No Southern politician has AM
thing to gain or to save by compromise now but eve
ryihing to lose. The reasons which reconced anti
Tariff to the Clay compromise, do not exist ant
they will not tolerate which they the
excused from the emergencies Of the case. To make
hem would be universally considered bootess sacri
fee OF prime ple and would lie fatal TO any Democra
who should sustain it, Ii Southern or Northern poll
tcians were dishonest enough 10 compromise the tn
riff question merely TO gain preserve polItica
standing they are not "soit enough do when ht
inevitable result must be political degradation and per
sonal infamy.
inn ali for the benef, Of few, cannot succeed The
Democracy is coming up in its might TO place all on
ispsl. On this point, It's all unlted-North, South
E,st and Wes,-and no man has the power 10 divide
4, if onv one has the will. At the next session o.
Congress fer the first time twenty seven years. We
will have Rerenus Tariff; and the protective policy