The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-28
opinion Of the people Of the Uni,sd States win ake

place as 10 give majority against the bill why post
pone seuom Is II al all likely that such change will
take place. And even suppose II did take place,
when does this bill 20 into operation On the first OF
December next and Congress meets on the first Mon
day OF December next II such change takes place
IN NE interval, whlit not then be just easy 10
peal THIS law as 10 prevent Its PASSAGE What,
then, Is to be gained by pOstponemenI Nothing
but TO lead the country into a state of security
which may and likely would, prove to be altogether
deceptye-to lead them to look for a result al
together illusory- Better LET the bill go before the
people, then Let each consult his neghbor as 10
It's merits. Let them hold public meetings, and
give expression 10 public opinion. Let the people
instruct their representatives, who will come fresh
from the body Of the people, and give expression
to their WILL as TO whether this is TO continue the law
or not Would not uncertainty as TO the pas.
sage OF this ball be productive Of evil results As
Tor myself, l cannot get an expression of opinion
from my legislature ill October come a year
cannot travel throughout the State TO get individual
opinion. Nothing is to be gained by delay, and in
my deliberate opinion, delay would be preudcial TO
The great interests OF the country, This is not ALL
am bound TO be frank and explicit. This measure
has assumed party character-in other words il Ia
democratic measure; and recent occurrences have
thrown upon me responsibility which does not
appropriately belong to me. On the question Of en-
crossing this bill, do not mean to occupy posi-.
lion which will enable men TO say that this measure
was forced upon the country by wing vote. I
represent but one State. You, Mr.. Presidsnt in
your representative character represent the whole
people Of the United States IL this be democratic
measure, and II IT be desirable for the democratic
party 10 carry II out, shall, when the question
comes on the engrossment Of the bill transfer the
whole responsibility far as | am concerned 10 the
keeping OF the representative Of the whole people
and then We will know whether il be a democratic
measure or not. Now repeat, will not allow il TO
DC SAID that this was forced upon the people OF
the United States by wing vote. | shall, when
the time comes, obey my instructions; but wish to
stand Tseiias "a eIta do not wish TO take the re-
sponsibllity that belongs TO another; and will not
take the responsibility of party measure when
that party has majority in thus chamber 10 express
It's opinion and will | might vote against the bill.
do not approve Of this bill. But the leading fen
lures OF the bill am instructed TO maintain and by
voting against the bill | would vote against the
principles which am instructed to support | shall
obey these instructions. And now, Mr. President,
let me say, under the determination have now ex-
pressed, am aware that my course does not meet
the appreciation Of my political associates IL is
now, and at all times, Palnful-extremely panful-to
be compelled from any necessity whatever TO be
separated IN my action from my political friends and
associates. But thai necessity presents itself al
desired that-lthe reporter omts the quotation here
made from the New TESTAMENT shall discharge
my duty, Mr.. President, with all the regret which
It Is possible for a human being TO feel who is
obliged TO be the occasion Of modification to his
friends. No doubt in the excitement Of the moment
my humble head is devoted. But if such should he
the case still possess the consciousness Of having
discharged my duty, and ] will retire TO the walks
OF private life and there battle in my humble way for
correct principles and against this bill Whatever
denunclatlons may be poured out against me shall
not complain. | know that my friende are right
| believe that the result Of the experiment about to
be tired will be to make their principles most trium-
plant, and bring back the whole American people
TO the system we now abandon. | shall rejoice as
much as any Of my political associates in that hap
Ply and suspicious result. hope it may come. But
TO conclude, have only to say that shall vote for
discharging the committee, and then though for
saken by all my friends, leave the result to God and
Mr.. J. NJ, CLAYTON then rose and said 1t is
true that the vote on this motion is substantially
decisive vote upon the great question before us it.
self. IL the committee Is not discharged the bill
fails II the committee is discharged why then from
indications around u.s. there is every reason 10 an
prehend that this bill will finally become a law.
do not rise for the purpose Of replying to the re-
marks Of my friend from Tennessee and have on
~ to say, with reference to the declaration which he
has made, announcing TO US his determination TO
discharge the duty imposed upon him, and to obey
the instructions Of the Legislature Of the State Of
Tennessee, that have heard his declaration with
heartfelt sorrow. But for gentlemen on the other
side OF the house, have some remarks TO offer in
reply to them. The honorable senator from Ala
bama, the chairman Of the Committee OF Finance
was pleased to say, when he made this report re-
questing the Senate Of the United States to dis
charge the committee from further consideration Of
this subject that |, who moved these instructions
had avowed that my object was to defeat the bill,
and that the committee did feel themselves bound
TO be the executoners Of such a measure Sir it is
true that frankly acknowledged at the time that
sought, oy this and every other honorable means,
to defeat this measure, because | believed it TO be
fraught with lncaculabe mischief to my country.
did not desire to defeat the passage of any tariff bill
that could be offered. am not so welded TO the
existing law that could not possibly vote for any
other. 1t the honorable gentleman should point
out defects in the present legislative enactments
on this subject, | should be quite disposed
now, as | hope at all times, to remove the
defect. But did seek to obtain for mechanics
and manufacturers ample protection for their indus.
Try, ana sought also, by an amendment which the
senate chose TO adopt, to obtain adequate revenue
for the counry-'a revenue adequate to the exigen-
ees OF the country"as the resolution expresses it,
The honorable senator from Mississippi, Mr..
SPEIcHT, inquired of me- well as of the senator
from Maryland, what was the meaning of that clause
OF the resolution He wished to know how much
revenue would be sufficient The honorable gentle
man diated at length on the alleged impossbity of
so amending the bill during the present session of
Congress- as to comply with the Instructions. Sir
4 III
certainly was quite in their power to comply with
the resolution My opinion is that they could have
so complied with the order of the Senate Well
then, seeing that they did not comply, what is the
result to which we driven by the acknowledge
ment of gentlemen themselves Why the Senate of
the United States have decided that this bill ought
to be amended in particular manner, and the hon.
oraoe gentlemen on the other side Of the House tell
US It 10 impossible to comply with the demand, and
preserve the identity Of the bill. Here them is an
that they are about to pass bill
which it is impossible to perfect or amend
even, according to the express instructions of the
Senate, Sir, 1t seems to me that here is an
admission on their part that a bill is to be
passed-must be passed--which the Senate of the
United States, after mature reflection and conside-
ration, have solemnly decided ought not to pass,
but ought to receive totally different conformation
Gentlemen ask me-and return to that--what ia |
the meaning of the resolution requiring that n
nue. should be raised adapted to "the exigencies of
the country" l answer, sir, that revenue bill, |
which, while ittakes off the odious discrimination
against merican labor provided for in the bill on
your table, at the same time puts the other art-
cles an amount TO bring into the treasury reve-
first tn 81. ar a.,