Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-12-01
From the Boston Atlas Nov. %.
MIR. CLAY'S OPINIONS ON THE SUBJECT
OLE WIFE TARIEE

HoCuHitHt OH SUBJECT OF Mr. CIay'S course
and opinions upon the tariff. We regard the
opinions VIII CHI MIR. Clay expresses in this CORES
pOndence, in relation 70 Revenue and Protection
ms the opinions that are entertained by the great
body OF the Wings of these United States. The
principle is, that the proceeds of the public lands
belonging as that fund does, to the people Of the
States, shall he distributed to the States that all
the expenses oi the government, adjusted upon
scale of strict economy, shall he betrayed from
the revenue derived from duties imposed upon
foreign mports--und that those duties shall be SO
arranged as to give protection to our domestic
products and industry, against the restrictive poli-
cy and pauper labor of foreign countries. This is
our dOcriue-and it is what we understand to be
the true Wing doctrine. This is the policy thar
we have been striving to establish in this country
and it is the policy for the permanency of which
we mean assiduously 10 contend.
The present tariff is essentially based upon the
principle which we have here advanced. Expe-
rience of its operations may have suggested a.
mendments in some of it's details. The founda-
ton, however, is sound In its operation the ex-
lstng tariff has performed wonders for the coun-
try Ii has far exceeded, in its benefits, the most
exalted expectations of the most sangune of its
supporters. 1t has won, for the protective system
generally, the favor of great number OF the
Southern and Western Wings, who came reluct-
anlly 10 the support of system which has here
oiorc been considered adverse to the leading inter-
ests OF their sections of the country. This tariff
VIII have done, jus. what we understand MIR. Clay
10 think tariff ought to do. 1t will have pro-
duced revenue sufficient to defray the expenses of
carrying on the government on n system of Judi
cous economy, not inconsistent with an adequate
support OF its various departments 1t will have
excluded from our country q vast amount of sur
plus foreign manufactured goods, which were not
necessary for consumption, and the payment for
which would have tended to impoverish tho
country 1t will have corrected the defects with
v in thp hosia Of fore 4,
has furnished adequate protection to most Of the
branches OF our domestic products, a3d our home
industry. 1t has infused new lite into our BUSH
ness, and caused the heart of the laborer to leap
for Joy.
This tariff, with all its benign influences, was a
Wing measure. 1t strenuously opposed in
Congress, by the leading of the ocofoco
party. While the cry Of repeal is heard from the
ranks of the other party, the Wings still abide by
the taritf-and they intend, if any effort of theirs
will do it, to save this great conservative measure
from the merciless attacks OF its opponents, the
loco loco destructves.
Among the States which have heretofore been
considered as entertaining settled hostility to
the system Of protective tariff, and which hive
since exhibited strong symptoms of change of
opinion on that subject, none stands more promi-
nent than the State Of Georgia. The Wings of
Georgia have done themselves high honor A
great revolution of opinion has taken place in that
Stale. Georgia is now a Wing State. Georgia
is now n Tariff State-in favor of protecting The
products and the labor of our country. Georgia
is for Henry CLAY Her vote will assuredly be-
given for him in 1874, as president Of the United
| States.
We find the following documents in the Geor-
giu Journal, and we transfer them TO our columns
Tor the information of our readers
From the Georgia Journal.
To The Editors 1T will be recolleced that a
ia thal ar.! ala in,
this State, extract of n letter from The Hon.
Henry Clay to Messrs. Joel Branham and Robert
Bledsoe, was published by them, presenting his
views on the subject of tariff in a very odious
light. The tchole letter was Withheld from the
public, because as aledged, he had requested that
no part of it should be published | Immediately
applied to Mr.. Clay for a copy of the correspon-
dence; he enclosed Inc letter directed to those
gentlemen, requiring them to give TO ne, or 'any
other friend u copy Of his letters to them. | APP
piled TO the gentlemen accordingly and met with
every favorable disposition from Gen. BledDs. to
comply with the demand. DIR. Branham pertina-
cously persisted in his refusal to do Mr.. Clay the
justice he demanded-and it was alone by the
perseverance of Gen. Bledsoe, who permitted lao.
honorable exertion TO pass without making it, that
he obtained copy OF the letter from DIR. Bran
ham, in whose possession the original was, and
which he has furnished to me. From him have
obtained Il copy of their letter to Mr. Clay and
his letter in repy-boh of which send you for
publication. l likewise send you extracts from
Mr. Clay's letter 10 the, from all of which, his
I Iimeils and views on The Tariff question, will be
fully seem No man who read the garbled ex-
tracts which were published, would ever have
supposed that they came from the letter which is
sent you.
! The positions taken by Mr.. Clay are distinct
and totally unexceptionahle, and compare well
with the sentiments OF all parties in Georgia, in
days that are gone by. lie declares, as his opn-
ion, that the expenses Of the Federal Government
should be economical that the revenue to sup
| port such expenses should be raised ny dulles
from imports.
| That, under a revenue taritf, he would discrinl-
inate so as 10 afford reasonable encouragement
to our domestic manufactures.
That he Is opposed to any duty which amounts
prohibition OF the articles which Il is levied,
believing that competition would advance all in
teresls.
! That he is opposed 10 the Ubiquitous and unjust
system of direct taxes and internal duties, in tme
| of peace
That he is opposed to the doctrine OF free trade,
MS it is called, with foreign powers, all OF whom
subject our commerce with them TO restrictions
great and burlhensome," which restrictions de-
prye our farmers of part of their labor, for the
benefit OF .heir oloa people, That taritf should
be stable aud TO secure that the duties should he
MODERATE, REASONABLE and GER
TAIN"
Inat the taflU Ol 1850 Wub u lIuuuuieHN
duc,ion !" in many instances The duties were sex
travagan,y high" and in Others not called Tor by
any interests.
These are the sentiments of Mr. Clay which
were SO grossly perverted aud misrepresented be-
fore the election, and to the prejudice of the Wing
party. They are now before the country let
that impartial country say whether they are wor-
thy of condemaation The friends OF neither of
the Democratic asprants to the presidency can
condemn them, since they advocate, IN the per-
sons of their avorIes, more obaoxious principles
Those who are opposed to duties being reasonable,
moderate and cerlain, have ample cause OF COM
Ilaint TO the views of Mr.. Clay-none others will
| find all occasion for censure.