The daily union., 1846-08-29
CONG ssIONAL.
SPEECH OF MIR. THOMPSON,

the tariff question.
The House being in Committee of the Whole on the
state Of the Union, on the bill reducing the duty
on imports, and for other purposes
Mr.. THOMPSON addressed the committee as
follows:
Mr.. CHAIRMAS: never in my life experienced so
great reluctance, well difhdenee, in attempt
Ing TO speak, do at this time; but feel Il TO be
NV duty TO make the effort. How cordially do l
wsh that the necessity did not exist for doing soi
but SIR, Of the Representatives from State
greatly and nuAlly interested in this question: and
may say here, what is well known, presume, that
am tariff man. And Notwithstanding what the
gentleman from Alabama Mr. YlscEYl has said,
I do not hesitate to say | am tariff man and dem
ocrai too. That gentleman has said that "the south
has heretofore met the gentlemen from ONO ana
Pennsy IN common council, believing thai they
in common with US, entertained kindred principles
But we wrongj we entertained no principles ~
common SIR, perhaps we do not: and perhaps,
also, we have as much ground to felieltate our
selves that il is so, those who claim 10 have
made the discovery. But the gentleman says they
will no longer hold political communion with US
Hold political communion with us! Sur, VINO asks
him TO do sol II he desires to go, let him go, and
10y 20 with him. Ii he, or those who think with
him, desire 10 Withdraw from the democratic
parry, the separation will be fully as agreeable as
the meeting. We shall acquesce in all their de-
sres this subject. | may feel very sorry, but
|
authority that gentleman reads out Of the party,
for il struck me this was the attempt. | would
like 10 the broad seal of his commission. IL u
is sufficiently authoritative, il shall be obeyedi n
not be assured il shall receive more respect than
it deserves. Many things have been said about
Pennsylvania, her people, and interests; many un.
Just reflections have been uttered but it has been re-
served TO this day TO mpeach her political integrity
Since the adoption OF the constitution, she has
never faltered but once; and that time, too, be
il remembered, was under the workings of a system
such the gentleman now advocates. She has
ever been foremost and steadfast in her support OF
democratic men and measures. The charge or I'M
peachment is unjust But the gentleman is the more
unjust to himself when he is unjust to Pennsylvania.
! cannot reflect, however, on the effort TO read US
out Of the democratic ranks, but contemplate with
surprise the object to be achieved, and the means
employed TO effect the objeetl 1t certainly put me
in mind Of the Irishman who captured the Hesslans:
. The prisoners would neither go along with him,
nor LET Paddy return himself Such seemed to me
was about the position OF the gentleman in his un-
Gertlklng.
The gentleman contends that the Baltimore con-
yenuon, at which Mr. Polk was nominated for the
presidency, declared that the tariff should be modi-
fed. Sir, that convention did so; and so far that
Is concerned, have no objection to a modification;
the bill before us is not notifications II Is an en-
tire change of the tariff in principle and detail. But
am bound to vote for this bill because of the Bal
convention had any right to determine on subjects
for future legislation, disconnected with the prlnci-
pies Of freedom that believe the democratic cause
best serves to perpeuate. deny that they had any
night to pass on local interests Where did the con-
vention procure the right They were elected to
nominate candidate for the presidency and the
vice presidency-nothing more. Did they assemble
prepared TO digest and decide on the question OF
tariffs, revenues, imposts, or duties! Sir, the
delegates from my State did not so go; nor did any
from the north, | presume Let me tell you how
understand that resolution, amongst others, came
into existence. They were read by the drawer at
ter large portion Of the delegates had left, perhaps
a majority. They were voted without discus
sion, examination, deliberation, by the members
present. And now, sir, we are to be bound hand
and foot by them. 1t is claimed for these resolu.
tons force far beyond legislative obligation
something equal to constitutional sanctions, by
elevang them into articles of political faith, This
object to. To anything that convention met TO
do, yielded my cheerful assent | shall ever do
80, but whatever is extra Judicial discard without
hesltancy. 1t astonshed me to hear the gentleman
invoke the sanction of the Baltimore convention F.;
and 1t astonlshed me more to hear him rather oml-
nously declare, that |" when we meet again it must
be- not to pass resolutions clothed in words which
hide ana do not convey meaning, and which can be
used screen for any political vagary but to de
| fine principles of action which shall feel an ar
dent desire to promote" This is all very well; but
the gentleman forgotte the resolution of the Bat-
convention in regard to Oregon; that declared
title good to the whole OF it; and had he forgot
ten that he voted, but few months since, against
i the only means by which the country could enjoy
the fruits Of that ute-aganst the notice II was
the first measure, excepting that in relation to Tex
as, that we're called to act upon, enumerated in
these proceedings, and, on the very first trial, the
Il gentleman banked. He marchedup to the sticking
point and--backed out, Sir, as we say Of a false
horse, he bolted That gentleman should not read
| us lecture until his own consistency entities him
to do it; and, in my opinion, that time has not yet
arrived. ....
Mr. Chairman, it has been said that this is a most
important session of Congress, on account Of the
l magnitude of the many measures already acted
l upon IL may be so, sir; but here take leave to
say that not one of all those measures, in my judg
| ment bear any comparison in point of vital in
i terest with that now under consideration. Vital
because it will affect the industry and prosperity
] Of the country--will change it radically and en-
tlrey. And, sir, let me ask, how many gentlemen,
upon their own knowledge or that derived iron,
authentic sources, competent TO determine the
full effect OF all the changes proposed in this bill
l the effect on trade, mechanics, on manuiac-
! lures the consequences of adding too much duty
on species of fabric, too little on another p
how it will affect us at home, and what will bo the
consequences abroad 1t will not be considered dis
respectful to express my belief that not one gentle
man amongst US is thus prepared-not one, III
l idea that we necessarily understand all these things
because we hold here, that we do so by In
tuition, is very great mistake. How Is It possible
to leglsate understandingly about all the diversified
interests of this country, when they are not all, nor
any considerable portion of them, common to any
particular geographical division, much less to any
one congressional district, or to any one Slater Yet
we are all required to act If thoroughly acquaint
ed with the whole subiect--entire masters of every
result to be produced. There are but two ways to
Judge Of the effects likely to cnsuei the one is, by
the experience Of the pas the other, Ivy special in
vestigalIon. We have the former. We know that
the system intended to be changed by this bill has
resulted well for the whole country, Now, how
shall we proceed to make another that shall be equal
ly successful Upon eoniecturei--upon untried theo
ry' Surely this will be attempted with great hesi
fancy, and Just conviction Of the responsibility
Are gentlemen prepared to venture it hope not
But what can be done to obviate the difficulty
Why, sir, do as all other governments have done
n appoint committee to investigate tho subject TAX,
testimony in relation to every interest to be affected
call upon practical engaged in every species o