Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-09-13
THE BEGINNING OF LOCO FOCO OPPO-
SITION TO PROTECTION.

In 1888 Gen. Jackson was President; his friends
were the majority in Congress; Protective Tariff
was in force; and South Carolina had threatened
disunion and civil war, unless that Tariff was re-
pealed. Gen. Jackson, in his Message had said
"That Tariff designed for perpetual protection
had entered into the minds of but few of our states
men, and that the most they had anticipated was
temporary protection :" and that those who took an
enlarged view of the condition of our country,
must be satisfied that the policy Of protection must
be ultimately limited 10 those articles Of domestic
manufacture, ,olich are indispensable 10 our Satety
Ia time of irdr."
Since the PRONUNCIATION of the above sentiment
by President Jackson-a sentiment at war with the
policy of the Republican party and of the Gener-
al Government up to thar time--the Loco Foco
party has uniformly opposed the American System
as it was established by Washington, and main
tanned by Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and every
true patriot in the country.
Verplanck and Folks report and bill for the de-
struction of the Tariff being under consideration
in Congress, Mr. Clay, seeing the fearful crisis and
knowing the resistless power of Jackson's infu-
ence over Congress, majority of both Houses
being his devoted supporters, introduced the Com.
promise Bill, in order to the principle of Pro-
tection from the instant and overwhelming destruc-
ton with which it was menaced That this was
the motive which governed him is made evident by
the following extract from the speech which he
made, in introducing this bill, on the 18th of Feb
uary, 1888:
In presenting the modification of the tariff laws
which | am about to submit, have two great OBJ
ects in view. Ny first object looks to the tariff
| am compelled TO express the opinion formed af-
ter the most deliberate reflection, and on full sur
vey Of the whole country, that, whether rightfully
or wrongfully, THE TARIFF STANDS IN IN
MlNENT DANGER. If it should even be pre-
served during this session. it must fall at the next
session BY what circumstances, and through
ut has 10
change in the policy of our country, will not now
pretend to elucdaIe." sowing TO a variety of
concurrent causes the tariff as 1t now exists is in
IMMINENT DANGER and if the system can
be preserved beyond the next session, it must be
by some means not within the reach of human sa-
gacty. THE FALL OF THAT POLICY, SIR,
WOULD BE PRODUCTIVE OF CONSE-
'QUENCES CALAMITOUS INDEED. When
look to the variety of interests which are invov-
ed TO the number of individuals interested, the u
mount of capital invested, the value of buildings
erected and the whole arrangement of the bust
ness for the prosecution of the various branches Of
the manufacturing arts which have sprung up I'M
der the fostering care of this government cam
not contemplate any evil equal to the sudden over
throw OF all those interests History can produce
no parallel TO the extent of the mischief which
would be produced by such disaster The
peal of the edict Of Nantes itself was nothing in
comparison with it. That condemned to exile and
brought 10 rum great Hulhoei VI PeIsohS. no
most respectable portion ofthe population of France
was condemned to exile and ruin by that measure.
But in my opinion, sir, the sudden repeal of the
tariff policy would bring RUIN AND DESTRUC-
TON ON THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUN-
TRY. There is no evil, in my opinion, equal to
the consequences which would result from such
catastrophe. Miles Register, roll 43, p. All.
In the same speech he afterwards said
"To those who say that the bill abandons the
power of protection, would reply that it does not
touch that power"
The first Wing Congress there was, after Mr.
Clay had thus saved to the country all the benefits
of Protection it was in his power TO save, enacted
the present Tariff law. Over that Congress Mr.. c.
was accused of acting the part of a"Dictator."
Now that the Protective policy is popular, what
infamous fraud for the Locos to pretend that Mr.
Clay is opposed to Protection that the Polk party
are in favor of it!