Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-08-20

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ced by this consideration collect proofs hich reus
that position, and intend when suitable occasion occur
ree TO present them to the House debate BY
the late day OF the session Of Congress such
In" misrepresentation Of Mr. CLAWS position tho pro-
'ecn'e policy is still continued by the Administration pa
pers with view to weaken objections TO the measure
10 eorreetin some degree this peerson OF Mr. CLAY,
principles and opinions request you to publish the sub
stance and effect OF the facts which collected point
and which herewith transmit you. Respectfully. yours
GARRETT DAVIS.
In February, 1888 Mr. CLAY presented Congress his
celebrated compromise bill Al that South Carolina
was an state OF open revolt against the her
ports OF the existing tariff law. Predent jackson bad
his annual message the beginning Of the session
strong aud distinct ground for the overthrow OF the pro-
tecuve system; and before the compromise bill had
thought Of Mr. Nerpanck the chairman OF the Committee
OF Ways and Means had, with the OF Mr. Polk
who was member OF it, reported a bill reduce the
sung rates o duties TO OF less than per
cent by Mr. NERrLANcK's project. the protection
aruees only was as high live per cent; and but
single one WIS allowed higher rate.
South Carolina had gone TO reeede without re-
sstsnee or disgrace She resolved, and Gen Jack
was thirsng for the blood OF her nobesI sons Civil
war; or such modification Of the tariff would enable
| her TO tcueat with honor, inevitable. The former
might have resulted IN crushing her. might have light
ed up torch to be eSnsuished only years OF blood
she had many sympathNng spirits all the Southern
Sa;es but could the fate that the pro-
teeuNe sysem GenJ aekson had declared against H.
At that It might have fallen, but his renes.
sprt and al-conquerng popularity would have DESTROYED
It at the next unless IN the interim rescued BY ju-
dieous compromise. MIR. Clay undertook the generous
and difficult task OF preventing both these great caamtes
civil war and the subyers1n OF the protective system
In his apprehension OF the urgency OF the the
utility ard efficiency OF the measure which he devised he
sustained by OF the patriotic and Intelligent
manuiaeu OF the United States | am informed nv
Hon. Mr.. Simmons of the Senate that Mr. Cl,y at one
abandoned his design because he could not conceive
mods which would give adequate protection when the
process OF declining duties was e1nsumma ed and which
could get the OF Southern gentlemen whose support
necessary TO pass H. In this difficulty, the idea OF an
ad valoem duty upon the home valuation was suggested
to him by the Hon. Samuel d. Hubbard. most udcious
and estimabe gentleman who now representative from,
the State OF Connecticut Mr.. Clay seized upon n and
incorporated into his compton, BILL which was passed
through both Houses OF Congress against strenuous op
position OF Gen Jackson Mr. Polk has said that Mr. Clay
by this measure rescued the protective system from de-
| suucuon,"
On introducing this Mr.. CLAY said ANY first
object looks to the tariff compelled express the
opinion, formed alter the deliberate reflection and
fuI survey OF the whole country, that whether right
fully, or wrongully the Iarf stands IN imminent danger
Il 1t should even be preserved during this
fall the session" In a subsequent speech Mr.
CLAY declared "lrepeat what said the introduction
OF that they (hs nouyes) are fret, preserve the
manufacturing and, secondly 10 quiet the coun
Try believe the American system be In great dam
ger and can be placed better and safer foundation
this session than at the neN'" Put until the next
session. and the alternative may and probably would be-
speedy and runous reduction OF the tariff, civil
with the entire South Mr. CLAY said that until Is
~, the compromise bill would give adequate protection as
reduction rates of duties until that time woud
be Uncomfortable That S42 could take care OF itself
the law might then be repealed necessary and he trust
ed to the burdens OF the chapter OF accidents to
returning OF justice his countrymen 10 procure
an increase OF the rates OF duty they should prove
low.
This law framed upon these general principles
ls That until 1912 there should be small biennial re-
duciou OF existing duties the minimum specific and
the ad yauiem duties all TO continue for the whole period
subject the established reduction on each with
any change Of Us character.
2 Thatu si2 all duties should be al yaloem on the
home valuation; and, preserve uniformity duties that
valuation To he established by Congress IN the law
81. The perPe'usuon OF the protective principle by
charging the whole amount Of necessary for The
administration OF the Government, in time of peace upon
impOsts foreign commerce, and establishing large list
Tree articles.
4th The dRinution Of the list Of free ar.
ces the pleasure Of Congress- the exclusion of
all srtcles not coming into competition with home
Try from all duties with % render necessary higher
Oi duty the protected pro.
lection producers.
5th To vary the above below twenty per cent
upon such articles as Congress might declare be dua
be- the state VI the public the eGgenc OF
home industry might require.
9th To collect greater amount Of duties than the
need OF the Government demanded but in leVying Them
entire liberty 10 discriminate among all imported articles
for the protection Of American industry.
Such the principles and the consid, Of the
compromise act; and they ell distinctly stated and
strongly enforced by Mr. CLAY when 1t passed.
Mr.. Clay had had larger and ireer communication with
Southern gentlemen upon the subject Of the tariff than any
0 Its friends IN the United States and he better understood
their opinions feelings, and peudces upon this great sub
With the moderate their objections might be
cassed into three principal ls That existing rates
we're laid primarily with view, not 10 the amount oi
venue they would produce, but 10 the protection they
would afford. %. To the mnmums, that all colions
costing between sx snd twenty per yard should be
held TO have cost twenty cents per yard 3d. That both
these mIulmums and many specific duties imposed
without regard and greatly dIspOpOronae to the value
OF the goods From the tendency TO abandon the proec
i've system IN parts Of the Union where II had formerly
received support Nh CLAWS clear and ar-reaehnR saga
city perceived that it could only be by conciliang
the friendship Of Southern gentlemen. They almost
universally opposed to IT, the considerations before
named, and others aud 10 any portion Of them 1t
was hdspeusabiy sslry compromise. Manuiac-
hsd acquired strength, by great accumulation
Of capital and skill The public debt had been paid of and
lett large excess OF accfuing revenue, and II could
longer be sad that all tho money collected by high rates
would be absorbed by IT, Justice sound policy and pub
lie opinion oil demanded that for the future reve
should be evied than would meet the ordinary eG
Penses Of the Government Mr.. CLkY noted upon a full
and clear comprehension OF these cOnsderaOns and upon
an enlarged survey Of the interest and sentiments Of oil
paris Of the Union, under the peculiar aud controlling cir
cunsances Of that day. in the construction Of his compro
nice bill
At the session Of IsII-'42. Mr. Clay was still mem.
Der Of the Senate, aud the was rapidly approaching
when the compromise project was, ever to be put
permanent form, by establishing the home valuation upon
foreign imports and making other necessary regulations
The same able and faithful adviser, than whom
America better Informed the general subject Of
nfT, Mr. Simmons, also a member Of the Senate. lie
mad been original and unwaverng friend Of pfnci-
pie Of an I'D yaorem duty upon the home valuation. After
full consultation with him and other gentlemen and with
Their hearty appobauon Mr. Clay early that session in
rOduccd series Oi resolutions setting forth general prn-
cplCs preliminary 20 the PREPARATION Of q proper bill. Al
tersatng to be the duty Of Congress 10y aud collect
adequate for the support Of the Government by
poets foreign commerce, hg followed It up by these sd-
diuonsl resolutions:
"Resoved, That such adequate revenue cannot be
obtained by duties upon imports, without adopting higher
than twenty per cent, provided for by the eompo
act, which, the time Of ts passage, supposed
and assumed rate that would supply sufficient
for economical administration Of the Government"
Resolved, therefore. That the Of duties foreign
imports ought 70 be augmented beyond the Of twenty
per cent, 20 produce nett revenue Of twsutyst
millions Of d0lars twenty-five for tho ordinary expenses
of tho Government, for the payment Of existing
debt and millions fund for contingencies
"ResoIyed. That in adjustment Of tariff raise an
amount Of tFony-EK millions u revenue the principles Of
the compounds act generally should be adhered to; and
that especially rate Of ad Ual0Tsn dafiss
sioBld Be sSabshsd from which there ought be little
departure possible"
mr. CLAY explained and enforced tae,o resolutions in