Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-11-30
lp @MrWI0 A "a .
Fro,u the Georgia Journal.

Frou the Georgia Journal
To The Editors lit will be recollected that a
very few Gays before the last general election i'm
THIS State an extract OF letter from the Hon. II.
Clay TO Messrs. Joel Branham and Robert Bled-
soc, was published by them presenting his views
on the subject OF Tariff in IL very odious light.
The ,chole letter withheld from the public, be-
cause, as alleged, that he had requested part Of
II should be published. immediately applied to
Mr.. Clay for copy of the correspondence; he
Enclosed me letter directed to those gentlemen,
requiring TO give TO nae, or amy other FRIEND
copy OF his letter TO them. applied to the gen
tlemen accordingly, and met with every favorable
disposition from Gen. Bledsce, to comply with
the demand. DIR. Branham pertnaciously per-
sisted in his refusal to do MIR. Clay the justice he
demanded-and it was alone by the perseverance
Of Gen. Bledsoe, who permitted no honorable en-
ertion to pass without making it, that he obtained
"a copy Of the letter from DIR. Branham, in whose
possession the original was, and which he has fur
nished to me. From hin, have obtained copy
of their letter to MIR. Clay and his letter in reply
both of which send you for publication. 1
likewise send you extracts from Mr.. Clay's letter
TO me, from all OF which his sentiments and views
on the Tariff question will be fully seen. No
man who read the garbled extracts which were
Published would ever have supposed that they
came from the letter which is sent you.
The positions taken by Mr. Clay, distinct
and totally uneXceptionabe, and compare well
with the sentiments Of all parties in Georgia, i'm
the expenses of the Federal Government should
be economical, that the revenue to support such
expenses should be raised by duties from imports.
That under revenue tariff he would discrmi-
nate so as TO afford reasonable encouragement
to our domestic manufactures.
That he is opposed to any duty which amounts
10 prohibition Of the article which it is levied
believing that competition would advance all in
terests.
That he is opposed to that iniqui,ous and unjust
j taxes. i'm inn
Of peace.
f That he is opposed TO the doctrine Of free trade,
e as it is called, with foreign powers, call of
whom subject our commerce with them TO re-
strictions great and burthensome-which restric-
tons deprive our farmers of part of their labor,
u Tor the benefit of their own people-'rhat Tariff
: should be stable, and TO secure that, the duties
S should be moderate, reasonable and certain.
II That the Tariff OF 1928 - fraudulent pro-
e duction;" in many instances the duties were
"extravagantly high" and in others not called for
. by any interests.
These are the sentiments of Mr.. Clay, which
were SO grossly perverted and misrepresented' be-
y fore the election, and TO the prejudice of the
! Wing party. They are now before the country
II let that impartial country say whether they are
worthy of condemnation! The friends of ne
Their OF the Democratic aspirants to the Presiden-
cy can condemn them, since they ad yocate in the
= person oil their lavouTlteS more obnoxious pTinc
d pies. Those who opposed to duties being
reasonable moderate and ceriain, have ample cause
OF complaint TO the views of MIR. Clay-nons
II others Will find an occasion for censure.
Suffer me 10 add, in conclusion. that through
Gen. Bledsoe alone am enabled to present the
correspondence which Mr.. Clay has never feared
n should meet the public eye.
o Your obedient servant,
e JAS. A. MERIWE1HER.
Extract of Letter from Mr. Clay to Mr. M ,riwcthcr
ASHLAND, I'd October, 1S43.
" on are right, so far as the record is concern
ed, in your statement that did not uote for the
= Tariff of 1916 1924; but l supported their
0 principles, and have always admitted that was
in favor of them.
did not vote for the Tariff of 1928, for which,
a however, Mr.. Van Buren,, Col. Benton Col.
= Johnson, Mr.. Wright, and others of our present
u opponents, did voe.-And it is remarkable that
II from that period, my eXerons in Congress have
II been directed to the reduction and moderation OF
h Tariffs. Thus, in 1882, supported that Tariff,
: which greatly modified and reduced the Tariff OF
1928, lnsomuch that it was supposed by reason
- able men, that it would, or ought to satisfy the
=. Nuliiers Of South Carolina. The next year,
1888, | brought forward the COMPROMISED In
!, 1871, supported the Tariff Of that year, which
y was limited 10 free articles.
= i never was in favor OF what regarded as Il
a high Tariff. And my present opinion is in per-
p feet coincidence with that of the whole Whig
party OF the United States, including Georgia, as
understand it. We all believe that the Revenue
from the General Government should be derived
iioi lie forcISn imports 10 the exclusion oil di-
rect taxes, and the proceeds of the sales of the
g public lands; and that no more revenue should
be levied than is necessary 10 an economical adj
minlstration of the government; but that in levy
ing 1t such Determinations ought TO be made as
viii afford moderate and reasonable protection to
American interests against the rival and prohibit
tory policy of Foreign powers.
2 should have preferred that the Compromise
+, in all its parts (Includng the Home vaiua,on)
; could have been adhered to. But you will know
from what quarter the opposition came TO the
home valuation, without the incorporation of
which in the Compromise act, chat never could
have passed.
think the present Tariff, i'm the main, is right
and working much good There may be excess
es or defects in it, oil which have not here the
means to Judge; and if there be they ought 10 be
corrected by supplemental legislation.
L am your friend,
and ob't servant,
III. CLAY.
, The Hon. j. A. MERlwETHER.
h EAToNToN, GEO, July 18th, 1913
| Dear STRENGTHENING opinions of the princi-
I, pies you now entertain in relation TO the protec-