Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-06-21
Mr.. clay nna The Compromisc Act.


he would bring in bill on the subject.
Fob H. 1885, in accordance with notice, Mr. Clay brought in
the bill commonly called the Compromise Act-Seaate Journal
Pdgel7l.
On this occasion Mr.. Clay said
In presenting the modification of the tariff laws, which am
now about to submit have two great objects in view Myf
o formed after the p most deliberate eScOo, and on full u
of the whole country that whether rghuy wronghy
during this session, fall at the session. By what
circumstances, and through cause has arisen the
tend now to oWcatc Others there are who may differ from the
Impressions which my mind has received upon ms point, oT
now exists in imminent DANGER and the system can be pre-
within the reach of human sagacy. The fall of that poll
c sir would be productive consequences caamatous indeed
When look at the variety of interests which are involved to
the number of individuals Interested the amount of capital in
vested, the value of tho buildings erected, and tho whole
branches of tho manufacturing which sprung up under
evil equal 10 the sudden overthrow Of ali interests His
tory podce parallel to the extent of the mischief which
would be produced by such Disaster The repeal the cdc
of Nantes itself nothing in comparison with it, That
domned to exile and brought to ruin great number Of persons
condemned to exile and ruin by that measure But in opn-
ION s the sudden repeal of the tariff policy would bring ruin
and destruction the whole people of this county There Is
result from such catasophc C7ays Speech Fe6 ~ 1888
II adoutu without passing this bill, having entrusted the
executive with vast powers to maintain the laws, should nc DC
he not consequence of have power
than ever to rat down the tariff asol Has he not said that the
south oppressed and its burdens ought to be roieyedi And
will he not feel himself hound after he shall have umphed if
BY Ta a 1G % eoumy with its WsS
os and demands No no, sir; let Us save the country from
tho most dreadful Of all cuames, and let its industry,
too from threatened destruction Statesmen should regulate
then conduct and adapt their to the exgcnces of the
limits of the constitutional rule but with respect those sys
tens of policy which fall within its they should arrange
them according to the interests the wants, and tho prcudccs
Of the people Two great dangers threaten the public safety
The true patriot will not stop inquire how they have been
brought about but will fly the dcliveanoe of his county,
The difference between the friends and foes of the compromise
send forth alone flaming sword that also,
b9t along with the olive bGnch messenger Of peace
power We too the law and bow to the supremacy
%e gnd Of Dps we %9 m 81 S sy
think would hazard civil commoton beginning IN South Car,
viqdcaO the federal government, peace possible,
union and liberty We want no war above all no civil war no
smoking ruins of American blood shed by American
arms!-hr. Ctay's Speech Feb 25, 1885,
Feb. 10, 1885, Mr. Clay reported from the committee.
journal, page 1876.
Feb o. ordered to be ougrossed without dyision
Same, page 2l0
Thus the compromise went on in the Senate
We will turn to the House, and see how it Jared
with the bill of Mr.. Folks Committee of Ways and
Means.
Feb 49, 1885, another motion to lay the bill the table
ION the day succeeding this vote Mr.. Clay report.
ed his compromise bill to the Senate, as above
shown]
Feb 81, motion postpone lost 3d. noes w
Polk voting NO-Sams, page 1856.
Motions strike the duty coffee and carried
Mr.. Polk voting NO on botb.-SamG, pages 800, 392
Feb. 25, he having ordered Mr. Clay's Compromise
be engrossed) Mr. Lecher of KY moved recommit the
bill with instructions to report M Gays DM as sTSstuci
Feb &C. tho bill las amended by substituting Mr. Cay's billy
PASSED I9, noes IS, Mr. Polk voting AYEsame,
page 42s.
Now, on turning to the Senate we find the facts
as follows:
Feb &c. 1885, the Compromise bill received from the
House, and Mr. Cays Sonute hill for the object laid
n the tube.-senats Journal pages al2 2l3.
March 1893, passing the Compo-
mise bill from tho House, ayes 20, noes l6
In conclusion, we can do no less than repeat our
thanks to the Patriot for stirring us up to give the
facts in this matter. The results are these: it is in
proof that the nsinuatons of the Patriot are utter
ly false; that JAMES X. POLK united with the
Locofoco Committee Of Ways and Means in re-
porting bill to sweep away the protective system,
and with it to cover the land with bankruptcy, on
barely two years notices. that he supported the bill
in speech, in which he said that WOOL SHOULD
BE ADMITTED DUTY FREE; that he voted
AGAINST the amendment to improve the provis.
ion on wool that while he was talking and voting
against protecting the wool growers and laborers
he voted to TAX them for every drop of tea or
coffee they drank that he sustained this abomina-
BILE bill until the Senate showed by its vote on Mr..
Clays proposition) that it could never pass that
body, and then, an alternative between the then
existing Tariff and the Compromise, he voted for
the latter AS to Mr.. CLAY, it is in proof that he
was drren 10 the compromise by the of POLK
AND THE LOCOFOCO PARTY; and that he
took not single step, until it was rendered abso.
utely necessary to save the Tariff from utter des-
truction, and the country from civil war. Clay was
then the friend of Protection-Polk was its enemy;
Clay then proposed, as a compromise, moderate
reduction of duties, to end in nine years with 20
per cent-and to this he proposed to add, in 1912,
the home valuation and cash duties, which is equal
to 10 per cent, and the amount of protection after
1912 would thus have been 80 per cent; Polk urg-
ed a reduction to Is per cent in t,oo yearsH and
insisted upon it until Mr.. Clays success in the Sem
ate compelled him to succumb. Their relative po-
sitions are still the same as in 1888.
MR.. POLK's VIEWS NOW.
Mr. Polk insists that the present Tariff is vio-
lation of the Compromise, and must be REDUCED
TO go PER CENT, or MORE THAN ONE.
HALF! For proof
He took other yiow briefly presented, of the subject and
proceeded the discussion Of the protective Tariff Act passed
by the last Congress- He showed that highly protective
Tariff and for He showed that by the
promise Tariff Act of 1885, the imported article
exceed 20 cent its value aer the Both Of june lS2
No higher tax than 70 per cent 9ss imposed on any article ge
latter day the present Tariff Law passed by tho Wing Con-
The Wing Congress laid violent hands the compromise
act Of 1888, and broke 1t up.
He opposed direct and to pTohbtory and pro-
ective duties voT Of such moderate duties would
cut of mportatons: IN OTHER WORDS, !E WAS N FA
VOR OF REDUCING THE DUTIES TO THE RATES OF
THE COMPROMISE ACT, WHERE THE WING CON-
GREss FOUND THEM ON THE Both OF JUNE, lsi2.-Poh's
Speech at Jackson, Tenn april 3, le43.
Mr.. CLAY'S VIEWS NOW.
Mr. ,~'sY insists now, as he did in 1888, that the
a,1A not limit Congress to 20 per cent
rate after 1912; declares that any other rate Of d''-
ty may be made, consistent Nth an economical rev.
enue; that discrimination in favor Of domestic IN
dustry may be made; that he is in favor oil the
present tariff and of remedymg all defects by SIP