The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-10-19
Mr.. CLAY's OPINION on THE
TARIFF.

that they are the advocates Of sys.em ofhigl
duties fof the sake Of protection 70 manuiac
lures. We have repeatedly insisted that thi
charge is proved to be false both By he opin
ions expressed By Mr.. Clay IN bic last speech
e. this Senate o. this subiect,in bis Lexing
ington speech and al his more recent speech.
e, and By the course uniformly maintained b
the great body q bic supporters. The subioin
cd letter rom this open and candid statesman
would put this ealumny to rest ifIike thelabu
loua Hydra, i had not an hundred hsada, ans
as fst e. yOu crush one you had to commence
upon another, The letter Is IN reply to one
wriitan 70 bin bJa Mr r. S. Brownson Of
Geoggis, who designing TO establish wing
press, had written to him making enquiries az
to bis opinion on this subject
ASHLAND, 18th Sept. 1s43,
Dear Sir. Il received your favor,
addressing some inquiries to me in re-
spect TO the policy OF protecting Amer
lean interests. On that subject have
very frequently publicly expressed my
sentiments, within the last two years.
In the Senate Of the United States, ear
~ last year, ! fully expressed my
views, and what ! said was published.
About the same time, communicated
them in the answer which transmitted
TO a letter,addressed 10 me.by Com
mitiee ofthe Legislature Of New York,
which was also published. ] again
expressed my opinion in reply to 3
letter which | received from a fellow
citizen Of Philadelphia, requesting me
to state the principles ofthe Wing par
y. A statement Of them, as under
STOOD by me, was accordingly made
and It is now conspicuoUsly published
at the head OF many newspapers. The
last expression Of my opinion is con-
tanned n a letter which | recently adj
dressed to Nashville, and Of which ]
now transmit you copy. fyou had
seen these various expressions Of the
opinions which hold on the subject
Of your letter, ] presume you would
not have deemed il necessary 10 adj
dress me.
The sum and substance Of which /
conceive TO be the true policy Of the
y. States, 10 respect 10 a Tariff, may
be briefly stated. In conformity with
the principle announces in the com
promise act,I think, that whatever rev.
enue is necessary to an economical aud
honest administration ofthe General
Government, ought to be derived from
dulles imposed on Foreign imports
And ] believe that, in establishing a
Tariff Of those duties, such discrimi'
nation ough, to be made, as viii Incl
deutalIy afford reasonable protection TO
our NATIONAL Interests.
think there is no danger Of high
tariff being ever established that Of
1925 was ominenily deserving that de-
nomination. was not in Congress
when ii passed, and did not vote for
IL F.; but, with It's history and with the
circumstances which gave birth to it, !
am We Il acquainted. They we're hi 5Lly
discredilable 10 American legislation,
and home for lis hOEOr will never be
again repeated.
After my return to Congress in 1881
nv efforts we're directed to the modi-
fcaton and redu 'tion Of the rates Of
duty contained in the act Of 1928. The
stofls32 greatly reduced and modi-
heo hem and he act Of 1888 com
monty I'iled the Compromise act still
further reduced and i,odfed them
The act which passed. at the Ex-
ira Session Of 1871, which | sup
ported, was confined to he free ar
iicles. lSad resigned my seat ia the
Senate When the act Of 1Sl" passed
Generally the dCiies which il imposes
are lower than those in the act Of 1882
And, without intending TO express an,
opinion upon every item OF ihis las
tariff, wovld say thai think the pro
Wisconsin, the Disinare wise and prop
err. lfthere be any excuses or de
fects in it, (of which have not IN,
means here Of judging they ought {,
be corrected.
My opinion, that there is no DANCE
hereafter Of a High Tariffs founded o.
the gratifying fact, that ourmanuiacture
have now taken a deep root. Il
their infancy they needed create
t0easure Of protection but, as the,
grow and advance they acquire suengtl
and stability, and, consequently, vii
requite less protection. Even now
some branches Of them are able q
maintain, in distant markets, success
ful competition with rival foreign man
ufactures.
Hoping that this letter may be salts
factory to you, and afford all the infor
nation you desire, and rendering m.
grateful ackno Judgements for III
friendly feelings and sentiments enter