Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-09-17
POLITICAL.


IF,om liz .Nur YarL Sober Secoad IHoasat.l
THE WILD GOOSE CHASE, OR a HUNT
AFTER MR. CLAYS POSITION ON
THE TARIFF
Mr. CLAY was the author Of the Compromise
Act. In 1899 he projected introduced and advoca-
led tia, famous measure in the Senate, under
circumstances and in manner which his friends
and probably himself deem 10 have added very
much 10 his renown. Mr. Clay then pledged
himself To the whole countrv-to the North,
portion of which wanted higher duiies--,o the
South. generally unwilling 10 yield TO the rates
imposed by that law,-that so lar as his conduct
and influence extended the excess Of duties be-
yond twenty per cent. should, BY gradual pro-
cess commencing on the 3lSt December, 1893 be
reduced, 50 that by the Both June 1912, they
should bc brought down 10 twenty per cent; and
that ilthc country should remain al peace, and
that measure (thc Compromise Act) 90 into fall
operation. the duties should he gradually lowered
down TO the revenue standard, and the protective
principle rclinquishcd Such was Mr.. Claws
Tariff policy in 1922 and such his pledges for
the future until 10, and thereafter. That We
have candidly and faithfully represented him,
may he seen hy referring 10 his speeches made
Al that time, (GfeelyS clition)
The great object of the Compromise Act was
10 secure nine years uf efficient protection 10 ma
nufaciuring enterprise. The pledge given 10
other Interests, the farming, planting. la5oring
and commercial ncrcSts-wa>. that after 1872,
the taxes on imports shoali be laid equally ON
al articles, with reference 10 re:enue and no; 10
protection. Lei us give the principle conicndcd
for by Mr. Clay in his own language
"Afler the accumulation Of capital and skill,
the manufacturers will stand alone, unaided By
The Government in competition with the inn
ported articles from any quarter. Now give us
ali ,.,l t,r
nine years, and the Manufacturers in every branch
will sustain themselves against foreign compcti-
ton II we can see our way clearly Tor nine
wears 10 come we can safely leave 10 poslerity 10
provide for the rest. Ii the Tariff be over;hrown,
4, NAV be lis fate next Session, the country will
b. plunged into extreme distress and agitation.
want harmony. wish 10 see The restoration OF
those lies which have carried Us triumphanily
through two wars. delight not in this perpetual
turmoil lie, us have peace. and become once
:nore united as q band OF brothers = Clqy'S Lie
art SpecchcS GrctigS c3A
Such were the arguments anl inducements held
nui by Mr.. Clay in 1892 TO procure the passage
a.. Il moderate Tariff one which by lis provi-
SONS, became every year more and more mode
rate, uniform and cq'lalzed upon all classes OF
labor and business.
Again, that We NAV not incur even the suspi-
cion of unfairly renresen;ing Mr. CLAWS position,
We Quole from pages Ill.,, ms statement ol the
al, ectS and principles OF his bill.
II am anxious to find out some principle OF
mutual accommodation, 10 satisfy, rs far as practi-
cable both parties-to increase the stability of
orr legsla,ion and al some distant day-but not
TOO distant, when we take into view the masni-
luie OF the Interests which are involved-to bring
down the rate of duties 10 that revenue standard
FOR which our opponents have so long conended
The basis on which wish to found this modica-
tiun is one OF time; and the several parts of the
bill - which | am about to call the attention OF
The Senate, are founded on this basis. | propose
Ia give protection 10 our manufactured articles
adequate protection. for Z length of time, which,
compared with the length of human life is very
long, BIZ, which is short, in proportion 10 the le-
eitimate discretion OF every wise and parcnt,
system OF misunderstanding the stability OF
legislation, and allowing time for 4 gradual re-
ducion, ON one side; and on the other proposing
10 reduce the duties 10 that revenue standard for
which the opponent, of the system have so long
commended will now proceed 10 lay the provi-
SioaS OF The bill before tie Senate with a view TO
draw their attention TO The true character of the
bill
MIR. Clay then proceededto read the first Sec
lion of The bin.
According TO this section, it will be perceived.
that il is proposed 10 come down 10 the revenue
standard al the end of little more than nine wears
ana hall, (lSi2) giving a protection 10 our
own manufactures, which | hope will be adc-
uua,e, the Intermediate time.
1t is an adjustment 10 which both the Srca;
Interests in this country may accedc without eli
Their being dishonored. The triumph of neither
is complete. Each, for the sake OF peace haImo-
nv and union, makes some concessions. The
South has commended that every veStigc OF prulec-
zion should be eradicatcd from the statute-booh,
and the revenue standard forthwith adopted. In
asserting 10 this bill, il valves that pretcnson-
Yields 10 reasonable protection for nine years
ant c0Rs-R;S, IN consideration NJ trcRy PR cent,
10 be subsequently applied, 10 determinations be-
low it; cash duties, home valuations and long
list of free articles. The North and West have
commended for The practical application of the
principle of protection, regulated by no other IL
lnts than the necessary wants of The country. II
they accede to this adjustment, they agree in con-
sideya,ion of the stability and certainty which
nine years duration of iarorite system of po-
lcv affords, and of the other advantages which
have been enumerated, 10 come down in 1912 TO a
limit not exceeding twenty per cent. Both par
ties animated by desire TO avert the evils which
might flow from carrying out into all their conSc-
quences the cherished system Of either, have met
upon common ground, made mutual and friendly
concessions, and | trust, and sincerely believe,
that neither will have hereafter occasion 10 regret,
neither can justly rcproach the other with what
may be done
And to show the solemn manner in which this
bin was urged upon the Senate and upon all par
ties, BY Mr.. Clay, We quote pant OF his concu-
ding appeal:
'.Passih bill, exclaimed he, ''tranqulize the
country restore confidence and affection &c the
Union, and am willing TO 90 home 10 Ashland,
and renounce public service forever"
The bill was passed, but Mr.. CLAY did not 'go
home 10 Ashland" except 10 secure reelection
to the Senate, and, as every body knows, did not
relnquish the principle OF protection after i2, nor
help bring the Tariff down 10 the revenue stand
ard
We have now given Mr.. CLAWS Tariff policy
from 1882 till 1912 Did it undergo any conside-
rablc change then? We answer no, il we are go
yerned by authority derived directly from himself
On the ih of March, 1912 Mr.. Clay made 4
speech on series of resolutions introduced by
himself, indicative of the line of policy, upon
which in his Judgment, The federal government
should be conducted. Mr.. Clay was then abont
retiring from public life, and accordingly resigned
his seat on the 3ISt Of the same month. Wehave
n, =, .,,,no.a tbat th.aS, resolutions contain