Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1843-09-02
LETTER FROM MIR. CLAY.

We thaGk our neighbors Of the AgrIculturis'
for having called forth the following valuable let
ter. 1t expresses in a condensed form, the views
Of public policy IN regard TO the great interests
Of the country to the maintenance and diffusion
of which SO many Of the illustrious orators grea
test speeches have been devoted. 1t brealhes
also The spirit of en,ig hened benevolence, and
compre hensive patriotism which distinguish nis
private and public character.-N Ban.
ASHLAND, August, 1918.
10 he publishers Of the Tenn. State .4sriculturia
GExrLuMEN:-I daily received your letter re.
guessing my present views as to the station that
the mechanical portion Of our population should
occupy in the United States, and also 10 the sub
ice, of Home Industry ard Manufactures. Al.
though have often had occasion publicly TO ex-
press my opinions these matters, | take plea
sure IN communicating them TO you
II has always appeared 10 me. gentlemen, that
the task Of administering our common govern.
ment would be very difficult, if honesty, IIbe-
raIty, and reasonable Information were carried
into the public councils. 1t was instituted to
promote the general prosperity, by a faithful ex-
crcise Of the powers granted Inv tn" C"ne'ttu'ior'
All parts Of the Union, and all the great int.
rests Of the country should therefore. receive the
parental and ot,co'ion Of the Government.
No one section, and ono interest should desire
or expect to engross it's exclusive regard
The main pillars Of Society are Agriculture,
Commerce. including Avigation, and Manufac-
lures incuting The Mechanic Arts. Owing to
the peculiar position of the United States. Agrl-
culture requires bu, little protection, and that
confued TO a few branches OF 1t. 1t is otherwise
with the other two interests. They require
some protection against the selfish legislation aud
the rivalry of Foreign powers, which, 10 make II
beneficial and etlectual, should possess two quail
i
ted with each other. Without moderation, othe,
interests would feel tina, they had been IN Justly
dealt BY, dissatisfaction would ensue, aud that
stability in legislation, desirable IN all business
and pursuits would not be served.
Protection to Manufactures md Commerce IS
in fact. whatever it may be IN form, encourage
ment to Agriculture. The cllsivator OF The soil
is conscious Of the great advantage Of having
alongside Of him the Blacksmith, the Wheelrght.
The Saddler and Harness maker, the Shoemaker,
the Cabinet maker, and Masons and Carpenters
His comforts and theirs are both increased by
such proximity, anG they are enabled TO augment
their respective productions But OF wha, avail
would it be to multiply them, without Commerce,
foreign and domestic. whose office is to distribute
the surplus produce of Agriculture aud of the
fabrics Of the Mechanic and Manufacturer!
| am 40 far friend to free trade TO think
that within the limits Of the Union, II should be
entirely unfettered, aud perfectly equal between
all interests and all parts OF our country But
TO that free trade. which would throw wide open
our ports to foreign productions, without duties,
theirs remaining closed TO u.s. or our admission al
lowed oalv upon condition Of high duties and Sc
we're restriction; which would compel resor, to
direct taxation, instead Of the Custom house, to
supply the wants of the Federal Treasury; and
which would leave our domestic Industry unpro~
tecIed. and exposed IN unequa! contest with
the rival productions OF Foreign powers. am
utterly and irreconcileably opposed. ! had ho>
ped and supposed, that nl would have cheerfully
rallied around n tariff which, seeking supply
the Treasury with an adequate revenue. for an
honest and economical administration of the CO.
vernmen.. should, at the same time. incidental
ly, by proper discrimination. extend reasonable
protection to such branches of our domestic in