Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-09-07
LETTER FROM MIR. CLAY.

hGl L CiN EROM MIN. VIAL
The following brief letter from MIR. Clay en-
bodies succinc,ly aud clearly, his views on one
IF the great questions before the 'country--we
mean the Tariff system. "Aoderdiion and stdJiI-
ity," are the terms which explain his creed
moderation in the rates of duties; stability IN the
system once adopted. a certain amount of rev.
enuc mustb be raised for the ''hcnest and economical
Of the government. This reve-
nue. must be raised by y duty on foreign imports,
or by direct tax upon the property of our own
ci,zeuo. FIR. Clay is in favor of the former
plan, and in that opinion ,hree-iourths of the
people, if poiled, we doubt not, would concur
Van Buren,, Cass, Buchanan and Johnson, take
precisely the same ground. Why, then, is he
condemned as IA heretical federalist by men who
are pledged to vote for either of tue above named
gentlemen! His letter speaks for itself.
ASHLAND, ApGUsr, 1913.
10 the Publishers Of TIE Itnn., State .9gricihurist
Gentlemen: duly received your letter request
ing my present views as TO the station that the
Mechanical portion of our population should oc-
cupy in the United States, and also to the sub
ject of Home Industry and Manufactures. AL
though 1 have often had occasion publicly 10 eX-
press my opinions ON these matters, take pleasure
III communicating them TO you.
I IL has always appeared to me, gentlemen, that
the task OF administering our common Govern
ment would net be very difficult, II honesty, hbe-
raliiy and reasonable information carried iT-
20 the public councils. 1t was instituted to pro-
mote the general prosperity, by faithful exercise
| OF the powers granted by the Constitution. All
parts OF the Union and all great Interests of ,he
country should, therefore, receive the parental care
and attention of the Government. No one sec.
ton and no interest should desire or expect 10
cngross lis exclusive regard.
The main pillars OF Society are Agriculture,
/ Commerce, including Navigation, and Mauuiac-
lures, including the Mechanic Arts. Owing 10
the peculiar position of the United States, agri
culture requires but little projections and that con.
fined to few branches Of it. 1t is otherwise
with the other tUo'nterests. They require some
protection against the selfish legislation and the
rivalry OF Foreign Powers, which, TO make theme
hciai and eilectual should possess two qualities
moderation and stability, intimately connected
with each other. Without moderation, other in
,erests would feel that they had been uniustl,
dealt by, dissatisfaction would ensus, and tina
stability In Legislation, so desirable in all bust
ness pursuits, would not be secured.
Protection TO Manufactures and Commerce i:
IN fact, whatever it may be in form, encourages
mcnt TO Agriculture. The cullivator of the sol
is conscious of the great advantage of having a
longside Of him the black smith, the wheewright
the saddler and harnessmaker, the tailor, the hat
, ter, the shoemaker, the cabnetmaker, and mason
and carpenters. His comforts and theirs are botI
increased by such proximity, and they are ena
bled to augment their respective productions
But Of what avail would il be to multiply them
without Commerce, foreign and domestic, who's
office is to distribute the surplus produce of Agri
culture, and OF the fabrics of the Mechanic ant
Manufacturer!
am so far a friend TO free trade as to thinl
that, within the limits of. the Union, ii should b.
. entirely untettered, and perfectly equal between
all interests and all parts of our country. But t.
that Tree trade which would throw wide open on
ports to foreign productions without duties, their:
remaining closed TO us, or our admission allowed
only upon the condition of high duties and sever
, restrictions; which would compel resort 10 drec
taxation, instead of the custom house, supply tn
wants OF the Federal Treasury; and which woul,
leave our domestic industry unprotected and ex
posed in an unequal contest with the rival produc
ciIIa6Iy opposed. had hoped and supposed tina
an would have cheeriully rallied around TART
winch, seeking to supply the Treasury with a.
adequate revenue for an honest and economical
administration Of the Government should at the
same lime incidentally, by proper discrimination
extend reasonable protection to such branches o
our domestic industry as needed it. That is al
which Is now asked or insisted upon. But epe,
that moderate and equitable basis for the final set
tIement OF this great and veXed question, encoun.
tefS strong and decided opposition.
he Mechanic Arts from tho commencement
OF The operation of our present Constitution, have
constantly enjoyed some degree of protection
from Government in the form of duties imposed
on the fabrics Of foreign mechanics; and ihn,
1t ought to be continued.
with respect TO the station which that portion
OF our population engaged in mechanical pursuits
ought 10 occupy in the United States, ! think thai
all citizens, native and naturalized, without any
regard to their respective vocaiions should enjoy
such consideration in society as is due to iheil
virtue and intelligence, their industry, sobrety,
+ and general department.
With cordial acknowledgements, gentlemen, fol
| the sentiments of esteem and confidence which
you have done me the honor to express towards
me, am
Your friend and ob't serv't.,
| II. CLAY.
/ Messrs. Cameron & Fall
THE TRUE POSITION
] Mr.. Clay In his admirahle lelier 10 1hn I,onnos-