The North-Carolina standard., 1846-08-26

eratons and Investigations which preceded and ac-
companied the formation of what was then called
and known as "McKay's bill and report" viz :
in March, 1874. In the councils whence that bill
proceeded, l had the honor to be admitted as an
humble and unpretendng participator, so that
knew, and it cannot be denied, that quite all the
democratic senators from the south and west, and
very nearly every one from the north and east
assented to or acquiesced in it. 1t formed sub
ject of congratulalion, remember, amongst the
members of the party from all sections at that
time, (1844,) that the opinions and views OF demo-:
Gratis in the national councils had been thus
brought TO harmonze in what was thought to be
a reasonable: prudent, practical measure of iegis-
lation upon this subject, which seemed likely to
put at rest and settle the tariff dispute. Untor-
tunately, it did not pass the House of Representa-
tives: will not stop state the cause. But not
whstanding its temporary defeat in that body, the
democratic party at once put themselves before the
people of the Union upon that bill as a common
platform, and it was promulgated as their propos-
ed scheme of reforming the tariff act of l942.
" McKay's report of 1874 was published and
sent forth the true and authentic Interpretation of
their views in regard to the change we were af-
forwards to insist upon. So understood it at the
time, and ever since, and so have constantly de-
clared. The bill was named after its author and
advocate, [Mr. MCkAY.l statesman OF North
Carolina southern man and democrat My
own opinions in its favor were freely expressed in
all my intercourse with you, and they were not
unknown in any quarter. The democratic press
in North Carolina, without exception, applauded
it the democratic party zealously approved of it
throughout our limits If there was a single one
of them who did not am yet to learn the fact.
Hundreds-if not thousands-of the other party
in our State gave their approving voice in its ia
vor. Our elections in 1914 and in lS45, all of
them, were conducted upon that basis, so far as
the tariff question entered into them at ALL Every
intelligent man in the nation knows the fact that
the fall elections of 1914, and those in the spring
of 1845, throughout the United States, for mem
bers to the present Congress were carried on, if
not upon the same basis, with a knowledge of
that bill and report. The north saw in it pledge
Of the south and west that we did not mean 10
break down and oppress the labor and industry of
the north and east; the south saw in It a reasona-
BILE concession to their demand for practical free
trade; the people everywhere saw in it the hope
for moderate legislation and the prospect OF
permanent arrangement of question that had
been aeitaling the nation for quarter of centu-
ry; and if your memory still serves you with
recollection of any of the speeches Of our candi-
dates for the last legislature or the present Con-
gress, made in North Carolina only year ago,
beg to know whether it was not uniformly pro-
claimed that all true democrats were going in IA
vor of "McKays bill Of 1914 Bear in mind
bill of 1916 agree in nothing but the name, as l
will show you hereafter.
And what let me ask, was the result of all this
In the north, as we'll as the south and west, the
elections TO the present Congress ended favorabIy
to the democratic party. A democratic minority
of more than sixty were returned to the House of
Representatives. The same party held majority
in The Senate. And democratic President, nomi-
mated after the +" Me Kay bill of 1914 had been
b,yfh fhoT orfE, oH hT,
the votes of States in the north well the
south; a southern and western Presidrn', whom
we could not have elected without the votes of
northern States. OF course l cannot undertake
to affirm, as fact that the northern States which
voted for The democratic party were induced to do
it by McKay's bill and report of 1914. But this
know, and will say, that it was put forth as
political peace-offering upon the tariff, and that
the northern people once rallied TO the support
of the party in numbers largely beyond those
which had heretofore supported it. and that it mas
erpected by as aohem that ofering t0as made, that
IL ar0uLd cOnciLi0te the northern democrats and
have no doubt that it enlisted the support Of hous-
ands who would not have sustained the party with
out it. Now then, | put it TO the conscience of
the people of North Carolina-who know love
all their country north, south, east, and west
whether, under such circumstances was bound
to violate my sense of duty, and, contrary alike to
this party pledge and to my own sober judgment
rs senator to assent 10 an act which violated out
and out the "McKny bill" of 1914. when there
was no public emergency to require II, and no
national exigency to excuse it. and that. when
did most confidently believe that the new tariff act
of the present Congress was in itself unwise and
full of mischief to the republic2 Was il my
dntv TO you, or TO the democratic party of North
Carolina 10 have done that2 And had no right
10 resign and retire from it2 Was bound to
hold on to my Office and put up the pretended ex.
cuse that the democrats of North Carolina had
changed their minds, and repudiated McHay's
bill" of 1874, for new and different measure in
l846q-or that the people desired me to pass the
latter, when, forsooth did not know the fact to
be so, and in my heart did not believe itP So
far from its being the case, l more than doubt
whether thousands of you have not taken it for
granted or been led to believe, down to this day,
that the Mckay bill" of 1914 was the same
thing that is called SO in 1886 whereas they are
as different as light is from darkness. No, my
constituents never required such things OF me-
Believe me. do not mean to bring into ques-
ton the course of other democratic senator's who
condemned the act, and yet gave it their vote. 1t
is nv right TO state that there were not few OF
them who did that. Neither do mean by this
to assail my friend Mr.. Mckay. Far from 1t.
They are my friends personally and politically,
and in taking different view of their duty, they
did me no wrong; and in defending my own con-
duct I intend not to arraign theirs. Whilst
have nursued the1ight of my conscience, they
have followed theirs In questions of conscience
il must be conceded that Con is the Judge, and
everv man must stand or fall according as each be-