Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1843-08-24
Letter from MIR. Clay.


Clay, addressed to the editor of the Ten
nessee Agricullurist. is Justly char
ac,ersed as expressing, in condensed
form, the views Of public policy in re-
gard to the great interests of the country
to the maintainance and diffusion OF,
which so many Of the illustrious orators
greatest speeches have been devoted
II breahes also the spirit Of enlightened
benevolence and comprehensive patriot
ism which distinguished bis private and
public character -
ASHLAND, August, l843.
To The Publishers Of The Tenn. State
.9sriculmisl:
GENTLEMEN 81 duly received your
letter requesting my present views a. Il"
the station that the Mechanical portion
Of our population should occupy in the
United States. and also as to the subject
Of Home Industry aud Manufactures.
Although have often had occasion pub
licly TO express my opinions on these
matters, take pleasure in commnnlca-
ting them To you.
1t has always appeared TO me, Gentle
men, that the task of administering our
common government would not be very
difficult, if honesty, liberality and rea-
sonabIe information were carried into
the public councils. 1t was Instituted to
promote the general prosperity, by a
faithful exercise Of the powers granted
by the Constitution. All parts of The
Union, and all the great interests of the
country should therefore, receive the
parents al care and attention of the Gov
errment. No one section, and no one
interest should desire or expect 10 en-
gross its exclusive regard.
The main pillars Of Society are Agri.
culture, Commerce, including Naviga-
tion and Manufactures, and the Me-
chanic Arts. Owing to the peculiar
position OF the United States, Agriculture
requires but little tection, and that
| confined TO a few branches of it. 1t is
| Otherwise with the other two interests.
| They require some protection against
the selfish Legislation and the rivalry oi
| Foreign powers, which, to make il benc-
| fetal and enec,ua should possess two
I qualities, moderation and stability, init
\ maiey connected with each other
/ Without moderation, other interest.
would feel tha: they had been unlustly
deal. by, dissatisfaction would ensue
and tha. stability in Legislation So desira'
BILE IN all husincss and pursuits, would
not be served.
I Protection to Manufactures and Com.
/ merce is in fact, whatever it may be III
\ form, encouras emcnt to Agriculture
| The culIvator Of the soil is conscious o
the great advantages of having along
side of him the Black smith, the Wheel
! wrig ht, the Saddler and Harness maker
the Tailor, the Halter, the Shoemaker
the Cabinc;makcr, and Masons and
Carpenters His comforts and their,
are both increased by such proximity,
and they are enabled to augment then
respective productions. But of what
avail would it be TO multiply them, with
out Commerce, foreign and domestic
produce OF Agriculture and Of the fab
RIGS of the Mechanic and Manufacturer
/ am So far friend to free trade rs t,
think that, within the limits Of the UnIo'
it should he entire Y unletterrd, and per
(rcily equal between all interests ant
all parts of our country. But TO the Iie,
trade, which would throw VIDE open on
ports 10 Foreign productions, withou
duties, theirs remaining closed TO Us, ("
our admission allowed only upon the
condition of high duties and severe re
siriciion which would compel a resor
To direct taxation, instead olthe Custom
house, to supply the wants Of the FEEDER
al Treasury and which would leave
our domestic industry unprotected, an'
exposed IN an unequal contest with the
rival productions of Foreign powers,
am utterly and irreconcilably opposed
had hoped and supposed, that all woul'
have cheerlully rallied around Tariff
which, seeking to supply the Treasur,
with an adequate revenue, for an homes
and economical administration OF III,
Government, should at the same time
incidentally, by proper discrimination
extend reasonable protection to sucl
branches of our domestic industry a
needcd it. That is oil which is now
asked or insisted upon. But even tha
moderate and equitable basis, for fna
settlement OF this great and vcXeG ques
tlon, encounters strong and decided op
position.
The Mechanic Arts, from the com
mencemcnt OF the operation Of our pres
cnt Constitution, have constantly ENJOY
cd some degree Of protection from Ih'
Government, in the form Of duties i'm
} posed on fabrics of foreign Mechanics
and think it ough to be continued
With respect to the station which iha
portion OF our population engaged II
Mechanical pursuits ought 10 occupy II
the United States, ! think that all Cit
zens, native aud naturalzed, withou
any regard to their respective vocation
should enjoy such consideration in Socie
ty, as is due 10 their virtue and intelli
gence, their industry, sobiieiy and gen