Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-06-06
SPEECH OF Mr.. STEWART,
OF PENNSYLVANIA, rr
In Defence of The Protective Policy deiUered in
the House Of Representatives., May %, 1916.
OF PENNSYLVANIA,

| the House OF representatives, Nay u, lS46.
Mr.. STEWART rose, in reply TO Mr.. payne and said
that ndsposed he make another tariff speech he
however could permit of the remarks of the gentle
from Alabama 10 pass altogether unnotced After the
violent assault made by that gentleman the tariff and the
National Fair he could not the appeals Of his friends
say something in their defence vndcation He thank
ed the gentleman however, for one thing that whilst he de-
nounced the ''Naonal Fair as humbug he had not in
cuded the fair ladies who gaced by their presence or the
beautiful factory girls whose modesty and intelligence he was
sure, could not have failed exort smile of appro-
baton, and aword of commentator too from the
teman from Alabama himself In the remarks il was now
his purpose to make, he would conine himself strictly
ply TO the arguments and observations made by the gentleman
from Alabama (Mr. PATsE.) And he avaled himself of this
opportunity of reply the readily because had been
given out by gentlemen here, who authorized to speak
that subject that the House should have gone
through with the appropriation bills tho bill for the reduction
OF the tariff would be taken up and passed without debate
the previous question, and by the force Of appeals
party Mr. s. did say that such would be the but
anticipating the possibility OF unfair and disce
dable from what had occurred other occasions he should
embrace the present opportunity reply the arguments M
arguments they might be calle which had been employed
by the gentleman from Alabama. That gentleman had
peaed the Southern sereoyped eeade doctrines urged
all occasions against the protective policy by gentlemen from
| that quarter.
The gentleman had opened his speech the usual appeals
to party He had treated this party question in proof
of which he had quoted the Baltimore Convention and
mndng those of his party that reduction Of the tariff
had been resolved upon he called upon them redeem
their pledges BY carrying out this party resolution
mr. PArSE here interposed explain and the floor hav-
ing been yielded him for that purpose say he
dscamed totally having appealed the Baltimore Conven
on the resolutions there adopted asconong the action
OF this House What he had said this elbow far
convention called for purpose and acting upon another
ought tocontrol the action of debeatve body was
ton he would not discuss but that when convention did APP
prove certain doctrines and those doctrines afterwards
ken before the people, and the elections of country made
had
under such circumstances bound carry the pledges
| thus given
Mr. STEWART. Very well the gentleman now said, in
substance that the Democratic party had pledged themselves
repeal the tariff of ls42 and that Of the Demo-
cratic members of this House would stand their pledge
We shall Let the gentleman ask my Democratic col
leagues how this Is They will telhim that the only dispute
at the last Presidential election was whether the
Democrats Wings the strongest tariff party And
they will tell the gentleman another thing that if he were
to fling his Stree trade banner the breeze and march
through that good and glorious old Commonwealth with his
Father Richie of the Union, and the whole tribe
OF little ee-rade ddlers and filters his heels he could not
get corporaIs guard to follow him.
Mr. s. regretted that gentlemen should make these APP
Peals to party This party question it great
american question, whose intrinsic importance scared far
above and beyond the reach of all party interests and
party considerations Why would gentlemen indulge in
these party appeals on great national question like this
Were they afraid to discuss its independent
merits Could that be the that they made these APP
Peas to the poor, ptfu paty and groveng OF
party politics Was this time occasion for such a-
peast No. Let the policy of protecting our national indus
try be discussed great and broad American principles
ought 10 be and would be treated by every man who had
a true American heart in his bosom.
Here an attempt made to interrupt Mr.. S. by ques-
tons, but he refused TO yield the floor
Gentlemen would he hoped have a full opportunity 10 an
wer all IN good time. Let them take OF the arguments
he he and when they had heard him through answer
nim and show that he was in error, they could Ample
time for the investigation would be afforded before the coming
up OF the tariff BILL and he invited gentlemen task But
the geneman appeals had been made not to reason not to
facts but to party feeling and party pledges Such appeals
been repeatedly made both in this House and the go
vernment organ In the latter these appeals were almost daily
made to the Democratic party in that House, SUCH
to the rescue and themselves from the deep disgrace
that would follow failure 10 repeal the tariff Mr.. s. admit
ted that IN one important aspect, this party question
but who were the parties Americans the one side and
the British on the oherAmecan labor against the paupe
labor OF Europe These were the real and only parties this
great contest for the American market-Ameri against
foreigners and the and practical question every gentle
man TO decide each for himself which side he would take
the American side the British side That was the ques
hon. He trusted gentlemen would decide in favor of their
own counry-in favor Of their farmers mechanics and
abonng men-that they would protect their labor
Poyed IN the conversion Of agricultural produce into
articles Tor USE instead OF importing them from abroad for
was demonstrate that more than onehaf of the hundred mil
Hons oil dollars annually sent abroad purchase foreign goods
sent to pay for foreign agricultural produce worked 10
into goods by labor employed and fed in foreign countries in
stead Of This the anti American policy now
gentleman and his friends this floor.
his he affirmed earessy, and challenged gentlemen
trover il if they could
The gentlemen from Alabama next spoke in very dispar-
aging manner of the National Fair which was now being
holden IN this city for the display Of the ingenuity and talent
industry enterprise and skill Of the people Of coun-
try The gentleman in the face of American House OF
e resenatves spoke with contempt OF such display Had
the gentleman been to see He spoke if from nforna-
hon only Had he this splendid fair for himself IF
ne had and would but give fair play his good and
5ood FEELINGS Mr. D. that such spectacle
nave hed his American heart he had oneand he did not
doubt -with exultaon and delight Such collection was
wen hied to be the boast and glory Of the country Who
hat had heart within him feel for honor the indepen-
ence Inc strength, and the prosperity of his country could
look on such spectacle and feel all his national pde
called forth by the display
Inc gentleman talked about the lords of the snde bt
was y they alone who represented in that fair Far
rom H. IL was the mechanics Of the country who had reason
10 congratulate themselves this great assembage of their
works. Let the gentleman go the mechanics of this coun
try, and let him. be thought prudent tell that great in
erest that the fruits Of their industry invention and en-
erprse were all humbug Mr. s. feared greatly thai they
might consider the gentleman humbug himself Was that
the gentlemans doctrine that the interest of the mechanic
arts and the interests Of American agriculture were hubuo
Would the gentleman tell farmers that that was demo-
cratic doctrine Mr.. s. fancicd not
There was gentleman from England with specimens Of
British goods now occupying the committee over which
you, Mr. Chairman, (Mr. HoPKISs occupying the chair
have the honor OF presiding almost in the hearing of nv
voice. and he has been there for months displaying his foreign
goods to influence the Of members favor the British
and this is all fair and beautiful in eyes of gentlemen who
look with adherence upon this American fair got I'D to coun
bold and bareaced British attempt made this
influence legislation odestroy tariff and again mum
date our country with British goods The gentleman from