New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-10-17
Ell. Clay and the Tariff.
As the chief ground of Loco-Foco ASA

Mr. Clay and the Tariff.
AS the chief ground of Loco-Foco assault on
our present moderate, wisely adjusted and Ell
cient Wing Tarif-efficiens equally for Revenue
md Projections the vociferous assertion that
it is high Tariff, a prohibitory and erclusiuels
Protective Tariff, the Wings OF the South have
been especially compelled to bear the odium OF
sustaining such Tariff or to dissipate the mis-
representation ndustriously disseminated BY its
enemies. The latter they have done by showing
repeatedly that the present Tariff is not nearly So
high as that of 1928, which was concocted b.
Silas Wright, voted for by Martin Van Buren, &
Co., and claimed as Jackson Tariff But the
Loco-Focos of the Planting States, as here, insist
that the Wings are in favor Of much higher even
Prohibitory, duties. Thereupon, the Editor of the
Herald, a Wing paper just established at La
Grange, Ga, appealed to Mr.. Clay for his views Oh
the subject, to which he responded as below, show
ing that he is in faror Of sustaining the PRESENT
Tariff; and that, so far from contemplating
higher and higher Duties, he believes the con
tinual and rapid progress of our Manufactures
tends ever to diminish instead of increasing the
necessity for decided Protective Duties Such Is
doubtless the fact. We trust those who declaim
against Mr.. Clay's high Tariff policy, because
he insists on the principle of Discrimination II
behalf Of our Home Labor, will read the follow
ing, and calmly answer to themselves why and
wherein his views are exceptonable.
l. GRANGE, Ga. August -, 1913
DEAR SIR: Permit me, though stranger, 10 PROFOUND
irw important questions to you relative your present
views independent of what they may have been heretofore
request your attention. particularly because have con-
;rac;ed fer and about establish press &c and con
template publishing newspapr here 10 be sly led Ihe Ia
Grange Herald" Likewise Clay Club has been organized
consisting of large number Of citizens Besides the
aiuous duties Of the Editorial Department will devove up
on and desire 10 know precisely
IN what meet the Democracy in Their nune
aus modes OF attack
Please state if your views OF the Protective policy of 1882
have undergone any modification and 10 what extent And
would you vou had it Your power go Tor bill as pro-
tective in its Principles, the arlif Act OF So
Please stats your present convlcon With respect 70
Tariff What the exea OF your Tariff measures are &C
With most profound respect am, dear sir your obeden
Hon Henry CLAY, Ashland, KY
ASHLAND 18th Sept, 1913.
DEAR SIR | received your favor, addressing
some inquiries to me, IN respect to the polcy oil
protecting American interests. On that subject
have very frequently publicly expressed my SEN
tments, within the last two years. In the Sen
ate of the United States, early last year, fully
expressed nv views, and what SAID was pub
lished About the same time, communicated
them in the answer which tran smitted to let
ter addressed to me- by Committee OF the Legls-
laturc of New York, which was also published
again expressed my opinion, in reply to letter
! ,,b; oh, 7 PllIl-
delphia, requesting me to state the principles of
the Wing party. A statement Of them, as under
stood by me, was accordingly made, and 1t is
now conspcuously published at the head Of many
newspapers The last expression of my opinion
is contained in letter which recently addressed
to Nashville, and of which | now transmit you a
copy. If you had seen these various expressions
of the opinions which | hold on the subject Of
your letter, presume you would not have deemed
it necessary to address me.
The sum and substance of what / conceive to
be the true policy Of the United States, in respect
10 Tariff, may be briefly stated. In conformity
with the principle announced in the compromise
act, think that whatever revenue is necessary
to an economical and honest administration Of
the General Government ought to be derived
from duties, imposed on Foreign imports. And
duties such discrimination ought to be made,
as will incidentally afford reasonable protection to
our national interests.
think there is no danger of a high tariff being
ever established; that Of 1923 was eminenty de-
serving that denomination was not IN Con-
press when it passed, and did not vote for it but
with its history and with the circumstances which
gave birth to it I am well acquainted. They
/ attn
and hope, for its honor, will never be again
repeated.
After my return to Congress in 1881, my eff
forts were directed to the modification and reduc-
ton of the rates OF duty contained in the act OF
! 1923. The act of 1882 greatly reduced and
modified them; and the act of 1888, commonly
called the Compromise Act, still farther reduced
and modified them. The act which passed at the
Extra Session of 1871, which | supported, was
confined to the free articles. | had resigned my
seat in the Senate when the act of 1912 passed
Generally, the duties which it imposes are lower
than those in the act of 1882 And, without IN
tending to express any opinion upon every item
of this last Tariff, | would say that | think the
provisions, in the main, are wise and proper. Ii
there be anv excuses or defects in it, (of which
have not the means here of judging,) they ought
to be corrected.
Nv opinion, that there is no danger hereafter
of high Tariff, is founded the gratifying fact
that our manufactures have now taken deep
root In their infancy, they needed greater
measure of protection; bat, as they grow and adj
vance, they acquire strength and stability, and,
consequently, will require less protection. Even
now, some branches OF them are able to maintain,
IN distant markets, successful competition with
rival foreign manufactures.
Hoping that this letter may be satisfactory TO
YOU. and afford all the information you desire,
and rendering my grateful acknowledgements for
the friendly feelings and sentiments entertained
by you towards me,