Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1844-04-26

in reference to the Tariff Compromise of 1888,
there were others largely entitled to share IN
whatever credit it conferred on its authors but
this he would say that on both occasions he was
actuatcd only by the desire to harmonlZe and per-
petuato our political union, without which our lib
critics, our prosperity, and greatness would be
inevitably DESTROYED. Mr.. Clay then alluded to
the occasion and the motives of his present tour
He knew that he accused by the selfish and
ungenerous, Of making an cectioncering tour
but he at once denied and despised the imputation
He had visited the city of New Orleans purely
on n matter Of business and his return home
furnished hun, he thought, favorable oppor
tuntv, to visit tho four Southern States OF the
confodcracy, Alabama. Georgia, South Carolina,
and North Carolina in neither of which with
the exception Of visit to Mobile. last year had
he ever been before and which in the ordinary
course of nature and affairs. he was likely
to see again. On his progress hitherto, in every
city, town, village, hamlet and road on his
route he had been generously and Hospitality wei
comcd without distinction of party. Under
such circumstances, he thought he might venture
without harm to visit the land of Marion, Of Sum
ter, of Pickens-that he might without blame
come to the home Of the Rutedgcs, the Pinck-
neys, and the Middctons-and survey recon
notre, as far as his opportunities would allow hum
the ground and tho scenes whore the venerable
and gallant Chairman of the committee and his
compatrlots had fought the battles of tho revolu-
sdoncv. He could not deny that from the St.
Johns to the banks of the Sabine, spontaneous
demonstrations, unsought and unprompted by
him, had been made in his favor; but he had new
CIR vet consented declared to any one that no
candidate for the Prcsidency-at present
he plain farmer, earning his broad by the
sweat of his brow, or rather by the Joint sweat
of himself and those who laborcd with him-and
however near the period of final decision might
be, he had reserved the right of such decision for
the proper moment and the proper occasion.
Mr.. Clay then cntcrod into frank and fear
less exposition Of his views on the great questions
of tho tariff and tho currency. IIc said he
came here to flattcr set of men-that
what he would dare say the banks OF tho Elk
horn he would dare say in the Palmetto State
He had ever boon in favor of tho protective policy
to certain extent. To preserve at once the
peace and the great interests of tho country, he
had been active in etfecting the compromise of
1888, and although he was far from maintaining
the doctrine that any Congress could bind its
of the country wlli,l. led tho posse 80
compromise made him feel it obligation OF
honor to adhere to it in good faith and he chal-
lenged the diIigent search of the record to shew
that he had ever countcna need its violation the
slightest particular-nay more, he was bold to
say that during his entire service IN Congress
since. there never had been effort to violate 1t
which had not met with his prompt and earnest
resistance. III was important TO understand tlc
true character of that compromise. 1t provided
for a gradual reduction of duties down to 20 per
cont at given time. and after that for tho rals-
ing of such revenue, by duties on imports OK
cusivcly, was necessary tor an economical
administration of the government. But the prln-
cipo of tho home valuation was an essential and
indispensable feature of the mpromse-wlth-
out that feature it could not have passed. nine
Senatorial votes having depended on that conces
son--and although distinguished Senator from
South Carolina. at first strongly opposed 1t, he al
forwards publicly and pointedly in the Senate
surrendered the point. and the passage OF the
measure was secured. Mr.. c. denied that the
principle of the compromise required the maxi
mum of duty to be fixed at 20 per cent-its
true principle was that no moro revenue should
be raised than necessary for an honest and
economical administration of the government.
and within that limit there might be discriini na
ton in favor of domestic industry. He was far
from conccding that the tariff of 1912 was IN
violation of this principle of the compromise
but if it were it equally violated the principle of
the home valuation. and Mother interest affected
by it had moro right to complain than the other.
\ brief vindication of moderate protective po-
cv next followed. as necessary to secure the IN
dependence of the country and its ability for de-
ftnco In timo of war; and as furnishing to the
agricultural producer a home market in addition
to the foreign markct-in other words two mar
lcts of sale and two markets of purchase. Mr..
CLAY concluded this branch of his subject by de-
caring himself in favor of system of protection,
moderate, reasonable. certain and durable-viel-
ding no moro revenue than is necessary for an
honest and economical administration of the gov
crnment. and within that limit. discriminating in
the imposition of duties. between those articles
which do and those which do not enter into COM
petition with domestic MISUNDERSTANDING the
heavier duty on the former and the lighter duty
on tho latter.-IIe said that on this basis this
! ttf,l
LIVE TOGETHER we cannot do otherwise--and
there must be some common ground on which we
should meet. That the advocates of free trade
and the advocates of prohibtory or high duties.
occupied the two extremes; and safety and peace
could only be found by taking the middle path.
/ That neither interest or section could expect &c
have it all their way-the matter must be
adjusted by concession. compromise. Cancellation