The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-08-08

by public opinion, s',Dhich every ,chere
ought 10 guide and influence statesmen"
should, nevertheless, be characterized
by moderation, nay, by scrupulous TEN
derness for those interests ofour fellow
citizens that are to be affected by it.--
The legislation which encouraged their
investments, their educational training,
or their habits, should cease, finally
and firmly, if required, but still sooth-
lingly and gently; and hence ! may be
pardoned for expressing regret that
certain provisions which, in their bear
ing seem to me trenchant and sudden
beyond the calls of the occasion, have
been allowed to remain as parts Of this
bill. Were 1t in my power to except
these provisions from the operation Of
my vote, ] would do so; but viewed as
a whole, as measure to accommodate
vast and intricate subject to the pre-
vaillng sentiment Of the American peo-
pie, to reduce the burdens artificially
imposed upon the laboring and produc-
tive masses, and to reconcile diminish
ed restriction Of trade with increased
contributions from it. | cannot resist the
impression that the bill is more equal,
more tempered, and more just than the
act OF l842, which it supersedes. That
il deals with some pursuits and resour-
ces OF my native Commonwealth less
kindly than she might well expect, does
not relieve me from my duty, but only
makes it's performance personally re-
. luctant and painful.
In aid of these considerations, ade.
quate, perhaps. Ill themselves TO control
NY vote, there is another which, am
free to confess, nothing but an unfore
, seen, sheer, and pressing public neees
. sity could ever induce me to forego o.
forget. In strict concord with the let
, ter and spirit of the constitution, The
Vice President of the United States
: now called upon to act, is the direc
e agent and representative of the whole
, people. In advance, and dependen
upon contingent results, it is perfectly
competent to this, his national constlt
uency, to give instructions, and 70 re-
ceive pledges for their execution. Or
this Identical subject OF tariff of duties
on imports, whatever may have been
the course Of local and casual incon
; sistency, my own honor can admit Of
, no disclaimer of instructions that We're
formally announced, and my own good
faith stands inviolable TO a pledge vol
unfairly given. If by thus acting ii be
9 my misfortune to offend any portion Q
). those who honored me with their sui
, frages, have only to say to them, ant
|. to my whole country, that prefer tn.
! deepest obscurity Of private life, witt
an un wounded conscience, to the glar
of official eminence, spotted by a senc'
n of moral delinquency. ta
5. The presiding officer having give'
! the casting vote in the affirmative, tn
i bill was ordered to third reading.
;. The question upon the passage ofth
a bill was then taken by yeas and nays
q and decided in the affirmative, by tn
e following vote:
II YEAs-Messrs. Allen, Ashley, Atchl
a son, Artherton, Bagby, Benton, Breese
Bright, Calhoun, Cass, Chalmers, Co
>. quit, Dickinson, Dix, Fairfield, Hannt
!. gan. Houston, Jarnagin, Lewis, Nc
v Duffie, Pennybacker, Rusk, Sempl'
). Sewer, Speight, Turney, Wescott, an
:, Yulee-28.
,s NAYs-Messrs. Archer, Barrow, Be
= rien, Cameron. Cilley, John M. Clayton
<. Thomas Clayton, Corwm, Crittendel
If Davis, Dayton, Evans, Greene, Hun
g ington, johnson Of Louisiana, Johnso
W W of Maryland, Mangum, Miller, More
in head, Niles, Pearce, Phelps, Simmon
d. Sturgeon, Upham, Webster, and Woo
v. bridge-27.
,r So the bill was passed.