The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-08-30
LETTER FROM MR.. CLAY.

We find in tho Nashville Banner of the
9th instant the following letter from Mr..
Clay, addressed to the editor of the Tennes.
see Agricultural. 1t is justly characterize.
ed as expressing, in a condensed form, the
views of public policy in regard to the grea,
interests Of the country, to the maintenance
and diffusion Of which so many of the illus,
trious orators greatest speeches have been
devoted. 1t breathes also the apir,t of elgh.
tened benevolence and comprehensive pat.
riotism which distinguish his private and
public characier.-Bah. Amer.
ASHLAND, AUGUST, ls43.
To the Publishers of the Tennessee Slate
Agricultural.
GENTLEMEN l duly received your let
Ter requesting my present views as to the sta.
tion that the Mechanical portion of our pop
ulation should occupy in the United States,
and also as TO the subject Of Home Industry
and Manufactures. Although have often
had occasion publicly to express nv opin.
ions on these matters, ] take pleasure in
communicating them 10 you.
1t has always appeared to me, gentlemen,
hat the task of administering our common
Government would not be very difficult, if
honesty. and liberality, and reasonable in.
formation were carried into The public coun.
ellis. 1t was instituted 10 promote the gen.
eral prosperity. by 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
parental care and attention of the Govern.
ment. No one section and no one interest
should desire or expect to engross its exclu-
sive regard.
The main pillars Of Society are Agricul.
ture, Commerce, including Navigation, and
Manufactures, including the Mechanic Arts.
Owing TO the peculiar position Of the United
States, agriculture requires but little prolec.
ton, and that confined 10 few branches of
it. 1t is otherwise with the other two inter-
ests. They require some protection against
The selfish legislation and rivalry of foreign
Powers, which, 10 make it beneficial and
effectusl, should possess two qualities, mod
Grafton and stability. intimately connected
with each other. Without moderation, 9th.
er interests would feel that they had been
unJustly dealt by dissatisfaction would ensue,
and that stability in Legislation SO desirable
IN all business pursuits, would not be secur.
ed.
Protection to Manufactures and Com.
merce is in fact. whatevt it may be in form,
encouragement to Agriculture. The cult.
vator Of the soil is conscious of the great
advantage Of having alongside of him the
blacksmith, the wheelwright. the saddler
and harnessmaker, The tailor, the halter, the
shoemaker, the cabinetmaker, and masons
and carpenters. His comforts and theirs
are both increased by such proximity, and
they are enabled TO augment their respect
i've productions. But of what avail would
it be to multiply them, without Commerce.
foreign and domestic, whose Office is TO dis.
tribute the surplus produce of Agriculture
and Of the fabrics of tbs Mechanic and Man.
ufactuier
am SO far friend to free trade as to
think that, within the limits Of the Union, il
should be entirely unfetlered, and perfectly
equal between all interests and ali parts of
our country. But 10 that free trade which
would throw wide open our ports TO foreign
productions without duties, theirs remaining
closed to US, or our admission allowed ooly
upon the condition Of high duties and Sc
we're restriction which would compel re.
sort to taxation, instead of the cus,omhouse,
TO supply the wants of the Federal Treasury;
and which would leave our domestic indus.
try unprotected and exposed in an UNEQUAL
contest with the rival productions of foreign
Powers, am utterly and ifreconcilably op.
posed. | had hoped and supposed that all
would have cheerfuly rallied around Ta>
riff which, seeking to supply the Treasury
with an adequate revenue for an honest and
economical administration Of the Govern.
ment, should at the same time incidentally,
BY proper discrimination, extend reasonable
protection TO such branches of our domestic
industry a. needed it. That is all which is
now asked or insisted upon. But even that
moderate and equitable basis for Inc final
settlement ofthis great and vexed question,
encounters strong and decided opposition.
The Mechanic Arts, from the commence.
ment of the operation of our present Consti-
tuition, have constantly enjoyed some de.
gree of protection from Government in the |