Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-02-29

the faithful discharge of their duties; not
long retained or largely accumulated. so
as TO be temptation 10 the officer 10
use AMI to the representative to misap-
ply them, but promptly employed for the
purposes they were collected.and thence
returned into the ordinary channels of
trace. We hold that in country Of
narrow limits and homogeneous interests
system Of direct taxation, by which
the money is drawn dollar for dollar from
the pockets of the people. might be the
most elfectuaI means of checking extray-
agsnt and wasteiul legislation; but in a
confederation Of States. with widely ex-
tendsd territories, infinitely varied pro
duotlons and diversified interests, expe-
renee has shown. the best and only safe
mode OF collecting revenue. adequate
Tor the purpose, will be tariff Of duties
imposed on articles imported from abroad
and so imposed as to ensure the greatest
amount of revenue without regard to
other DEMONSTRATING trade and com
merce as nee and as dnshackled as the
wants of Government will Justify.
While monopoIies, and partial lesisla-
ton in the old world. are yielding to the
enlightened and liberal spirit OF the age,
our own country, of liberty and equality.
should not be the last to surrender that
odlous system of protection and bounty
so partial IN its operation, so preiudicial
to our peace and general prosperity; for.
we hold that Protective Tariffs, and
bounties in the shape of Internal I'M
provements. must lead to an oppression
OF the people, and corruption of their
Government.
These are our doctrines-ths the broad
platform or which we staEd. Here is
our confession of faitl-not new. but old
old as the Constitution-od as the
days of our fathers. They loved it
they revered it. and by its guidance,
came triumphant through the peris OF
Of war, and the connections of civil dis
cord. Would it were engraven. not on
perishable tablets of brass, but on the
hearts of the people, stereotsped, and
scattered. thick as autumnal leaves, in
every home and hamlet of the land.-
None but the be-clouded intellect, bin
ded by passion and prejudice. can fail
to perceive the deep. radical, and irrecon-
cilable difference between this political
creed. and that of our opponents. But
we are told, that n wise spirit OF modera-
ton is daily narrowing, in magnitude
and extent, the wide difference. Vain
deiusion. TO attempt it, is to attempt
the impossible! Can Free Trade. low
duties, no debt, no National Bank. no
Assumption, no Distribution. no Adolf
ton. divorce of Bank and State, Econo-
my, no partial Legislation. strict con-
strnctIoo of the Constitution. and faith
in the capacity Of the people for self gov
ernment--can these doctrines and meas
ures ever be made. to coincide. and to
harmonize with burdened and restrict
ed commerce. high duties. National
Debt, National Bank, Assumption.
Distribution, alliance Of Bank and State.
and as necessary consequence, proiuse
expenditures, partial legislation, a loose
construction. of The Constitution, and a
bold appeal to the interest. preiudices,
ignorance, and vices of the people? And
yet. we are told, that's gise and temper
ale spirit has recently come over him.
who, for more than twenty years, has
been the uncompromising advocate and
bold defender of these measures: and
that he is now willing to harmonize the
uarious interests by The golden rule Of
moderation.
Are we children and not men, to be
deceived by such hollow prolessions?--
Can we. forget history? can we forget our
own too recent experience? Can men
suddenly change their whole moral and
intellectual being as the chameleon his
coior?Who is it that utters these ffatter-
ing and consoliDg words? A newly rob-
ed priest, who is himself decking the
brows OF the victim with filetsand gar
lands, and leading him to the altar fo:-
the stayer's hands. Trust not to his
bland words; they are the soft entreaties
of the wolf to the lamb. Unbar the door.
and your fleece, if not your blood, will
be the sacrifice. This humility and re-
pcntance is all too sudden TO be sincere.
1t is like the repentance of BelshaZzar,
whose knees smote each other when he
beheld the mysterious hand. writing on
tie. wall. pronouncing that lie had been
weighed in the balance and found wan
ting .,. ]. s..e,
The principles and Tie doctrines Of
MIR. Clay, as we have shown. stand in
broad contrast with those of the Consti-
tuition Over and over. again have the
nenple repudiated them, as often has he
with botdness and pertinacity urged
them on their reluctant consideration. -
He cannot now hope to gain their more
favorable regard BY sudden professions
of moderation. The cunningest sophis-
try. the subtlest logic, must fail to con
WAGE that there is any sincerity in such
unexpected condescension and humility.
The difference between him and the peo-
pie is too great and of too long standing
for one to pass from him TO them or from
them to him, without surprise or suspi
cion. As well may the patriot change