The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1844-08-16
TIE MIsINTERPRErATIoN
Of Mr.. JcGtrson's opinions By The Free
Traders erposed and reaied BY Mr.

nAtlAN Aht u tCtf
Of Mr.. Jcgtrson's opinions By The Free
Traders erpOsed and refafed BY Mr..
u Madison.
Notwithstanding the repeated and car.
nest recommendations Of Protective duties
by Mr.. Jefferson, both when he was Sec
rotary of State under Gen. Washington
administration, aud subsequently, when he
was President of the United States, yiolen,
efforts have been made, from time 10 time,
BY the disciples of the modern Free Trade
School to appropriate his name, as an au.
thorily, even against the coRStiiniionaliiy
of protective duties. Mr.. McDullie, in
his last speech on the Tariff during the
late session Of Congress, sought 10 explain
away all these solemn, elaborate aud off.
cial testimonies of Mr.. Jefierson's opinions
on this subject by single sentence in a
private and unstu5ei letter Of his to Mr..
Giles in 1925, thereby placing him in the
last year Of his life, virtually in coniradic.
ton TO the whole tenor Of his public rnd
responsible action, and his repeatedly de-
ciared opinions from 1871 down to that pc.
Rod. Mr.. MoDufiie thus exultingly intro
duces his reference to Mr.. JefIersons let.
ter 10 MIR. Giles.
But in 1925, in letter 10 Mr.. Giles,
he did speak unequivocally on that point,
aud | shall quote single sentence, which
isa conclusive answer to the Senator from
Virginia :-(Mr. Rives.)
Under the power to regulate com.
merce, they assume indefinitely that also
over agriculture and manufactures and
call IT regulation 10 take the earnings of
one Of these branches Of industry, and that
too, the most depressed, and put them into
the pockets ofthc other, the most flourish
ing OF all"
The same use having been attempted to
he made Of this letter of Mr.. Jefferson in
the heated discussions Of 1888, it was
then rebuked and triumphanily repealed, in
a noble vlndIcation ofthe consistency Of his
deceased friend, BY Mr. Madison, in let.
ter addressed by him to Mr. Rives, which
we have recently had the pleasure Of read.
ing, and of which we are now enabled TO
lay literal and exact cory before cur read.
ers.
60 Copy Of letter from Mr.. Madison
to Mr.. Rires
MONTPELIER, Jan. 23d, 1929.
Dear Sir: have received under your
cover, the newspaper containing the explain.
aiory remarks on the two letters relating
to the power of Congress 10 encourage do.
nestle manufactures. The writer Of the
letters is laid under great obligation BY the
oPporiune and opposite inierposiion in
their behalf The strange misconstruc.
tons which continue to be put on The occn.
SION and object Of them, would produce
surprise if such effects Of party or other
feelings were less famliarized 10 us.
am truly sorry 10 observe tho perse.
vcring and exuliing appeals to the letter
OF Mr.. Jefferson to Mr.. Giles. The 10.
consistency is monstrous. between the pro.
iessed yeneration for his name, and the
anxiety TO make him ayow opinions in the
most pointed opposition 10 those MAINTAIN.
ed by him in his more deliberate CORES. I
prudence with others, and acted 90 through
ms whole official life.
" cannot particularly refer 10 his let. .
tiers to Austin and others; bat have con.
suited his elaborate report in 1893, when /.
Secretary Of State, AMI all his Messages,
when President, and fad in them the
most explici, and reiterated sanctions civ.
en- to the power to regulate frode or com.
mercc, In favor OF Manufactures, by recon-.
The expedlency Of exercissag the
power for that purpose, as well as fpr 9th.
RS, distinct or dcrogating from the object
" revenue.
Having noted the pages in the State ;
apers published by Wait, as examined {
hem With an eye to Mr.. Jei!erson's opin. I
onS, refer to them in the margin,s as ,
bridging a research, If your curiosity {
hould at any time prompt one. il
To set up against such evidence of Mr.. II
eiierson's direct and settled opinion, the
nsludled ami unguarded language inciden,
o hasly and confidential correspondence, &,
5 surely as unreasonable, as it must be
IIsrespeciful and uufrlendlg, to make a let
er written under such circumstances. the
ASS Of a charge that he had through 30
many years, and on so mauv occasions. I
maintained and acted on the power in ques.
ION, without discovering that it vas not /
warranted by the great charter which he :
ad bound himself by oath no, TO violate. d
very rule of fair construction, as well as
very motive Of friendly respect, ought to :
hyor as much as possible meaning il The c
'tter that would reconcile it with the over.
'he'mlng evidence Of opinions elsewhere
vowed, instead of displaying, scIfcon. /
radlciIon, by turning the letter against d
hose opinions. 5
Nor would a candid critic be at any i
'ss TO avoid the sef.contradiclion. The O
erm " indefinitely" on which the ones. C
on of consiiiutionality turns, would seem n
imply that defnfc or limited use Of c
ne power, might not be unconstitutional |
nd 1t IS far presumption that the idea in "
ne mind OF the writer, was that an unlim. p
ed or excessive abuse of power. was G.
niValent to usnrpaion Of it. l. il posi-. o
Ie to believe That Mr.. Jefferson could have
tended to admit, that he had been all his II
lie iUhallnU desnntiap, .uI III ~ r