Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1843-11-16
PIllg-0Amo
PoLlcy or CLAWS ADMINISTRATION.

y fOLltt Ot CLAWS ADMINS IA lion.
1 The Richmond Why says:-The lat,
letter from Mr.. Clay to gentleman o
Georgia, giving his views Of the Tart
/ System, has gwen to The adveisarics o
that great man serlous uneasiness. IIu
able to assail with success the impregna
bic position there taken, they seek to e.
vace the the true question, by imputlns
the letter to the Unworthy motive. ON Mir
Clay's part, Of desiring TO effect the elec
/ tons then pending IN Georgia, and seek.
ing to induce the belief that the letter doe,
not contain MIR. Clay's real opinions, OF
llfit Goes, that it fixes an inconsistency
upon him. As to tho imputaiinn, which
the Richmond Enquirer indulges. thai
Henry Clay had falsely represented his
opinion ms to deceive the people Of George
il may DO safely left to the public judy.
ment. Henry Clay has never yet been
guilty OF faisehood; and all who Lave
known him. in public or private, award
to him high sense Of h nor, irankness
and sincerity. Indeed whatever other
faults prejudice or enmay may have i'm
pocrisy we're never among tho number.
These are the blemishes which the public
sentiment Of tho age, with very great
unanjmity, ascribe to another aud very
different politician.
AS 10 the charge, that the opinions
avowed in this letter are neon lsteni with
those heretofore entertained by Mr.. Clay,
there is as little truth in that, as in the
other imputalion. Since 80, Mr.. Clay
has steadfaslly maintained the principles
Of the Compromise Bill; that is, a tariff
for revenue, so discriminating as 10 pro-
tect domestic industry. In his last great
speech on tho Tariff, in the Senate, hv
declared sentiments almost identical with
those of his letter and asked il as par
ticular favor Of the Locos, that they would
not misrepresent his opinious.*
This letter has already been published
in the columns Of The Wing but as it
contains brief and lorcible summary of
Mr.. Clay's Tariff opinions. We re-publish
the impo-tlnt portions OF a.:
"Fhe sum and substance OF what Icon
cieve to be the true policy Of the United
States, in respect to Tariff, may be brief
y stated. In conformity with the pr.n-
ciple announced IN the Compromise act, l
think that whatever revenue is ut cessary
for an economical and honest aIinnistra-
ton OF tho General Government, ought
10 be derived from duties, imposed on
Foreign imports. Aad believe that in
establishing Tariff f those duties, such
a discrminatitn ought to BE- made, as will
afford reason bile protection
to our national interests.
think there is no danger ola high tar
if being ever established; that of 1929
was emlnenl:y deserving that denonina-
ton. 4 was notin Congress when il pass
ed, and did not veie for il; bit with its
history, and with The circumstances which
gave birth TO it, am well acquainted.
They were highly discrediabe TO Amer.
lean Legislation, and | nope for its honor,
will never be again repeated.
After my return to Congress. in 1881,
my efforts were directed to the modifca.
ton and reduction Of the rates Of duty
contained in the act Of 1928. The act OF
1882 greatly reduced and modified them
and the act of 1894, commonly called the
act, still farther reduced aud
them. TIE act which passed at
the Extra Session Of l74l, which ! sup.
ported, was confined to the free ant cles.
| had resigned my seat il the Senate when
the act OF 1912 passed. Generally, the
duties which il imposes are lower than
those nlhe act of 1882. And without
intending to express any opinion upon ev-
cry item Of this last Taft, | would say
that | think the provisions, in the main,
are wise and proper. If there DO any ex-
cesses or defects in it, (of which have
not the means of judging) they ought to
be corrected.
My ovinion, that there is no danger
hereafter ola High Tariff, is founded on
the gratifying fact that our manufactures
have now taken deep root. In iheir an
fancy they nee1el greater measure Of
protection; bat as they grow and adyaace,
they acquire strength and stability, and
consequently, will require less protection.
Even now, some branches Of them are
able to maintain ia distant markets, sue.
cessfulI competition with rival foreign
manufactures.
The principles here advanced, are un.
OCCASIONALLY those entertained by large
majority Of the American people. Ii is
this fact, aud the lone Of moderation and
wisdom, which pervades the letter, which
so much distress Locofocos. Free Trade
and Direct Taxation, to the oppression
of domestic industry, and the support oil
foreign paupers, cannot compare with
this truly American System: essential TO
the preservation of our na,ioRal indepen-
dence and prosperity.
The reader will remark in this letter,
as one Of its Distinguishing traits and great
est beauties, spirit Of moderation. AL
ways the wisest and most dislnterested
public man u his day ;-if an unequalled
facility in adap,iag himselito public emer-
gences, and an utter disregard Of self,
constitute such a one MIR. Clay, as he
has grown older, has mingled with the
fire Of his genius, the calmness and the
moderation Of the sage. This has been
The following is the passage 10 Mr. Clsy's
speech, 10 which refers
Let me not be misRnders TODD and let me entreai
that may not be misrepresented. am not adj
socating The reyiUal Of high Yrotectioe tarlF