Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-09-03

fment 10 Dc fOteraSe3, MUCH less engrAlted PET
rnanently into the laws of free people. with.
out unavoidable necessity, and sancr6ed as 3
part OF our Democratic faith, without notice to
the people2 "A step or two father, and we
shall be- carried TO point where Congress can
do nothing but declare the aggregate revenues
which may be levied for the Government. and
leave the Treasury Department, iocoleci them
as may seem best 10 its officers, and according
10 its rules"
Finally Mr. HAYwooD gives a history ol
his action on the subject, from which we quote
somewhat largely:
"When the tariff bal first reached the SEN
ate was in Raleigh, and then communicated
10 an intimate political friend how difficult
should find il 10 support il without important
amendments, expressing 10 him my exceeding
anxiety and fears upon the subject lmmsdi-
ately after nv return to this cry. the first day
of the debate in The Senate, told several Of
the Senators, (Democrats,) with whom was
most intimate, the same thing, and upon a
conference suggested 10 two OF them that
might have to resort 10 resignation but they
did not agree with me, and | consented 10
think father Of that II had been voted by the
party to have no reference, and agreed 10 have
no amendment 10 the bill.
Next day ! held long and confidential
conversation with the President Of the United
States himself upon this subject, and informed
him of my determination not to vote Tor the
bill, but left il TO his discretion whether 10 keep
that purpose secret or not. In that interview,
such was my anxiety TO reconcile my duty
with the wishes of others, that | consented 10
waive my opposition and vote for the bull,
however reluctantly, provided II were amended
so that the new tariff would not go into opsr-
alton before the 4th March, lS47. The bill
would then have operated as repeal OF the
tariff act Of 1912, and so far | was willing 20
support it. But desired its operation 10 be
postponed to some period which would be less
oppressive to existing manufactures, and which
might allow Congress time to correct its err
rors, and, after full elaboration, to amend il
before the existing system had been destroyed;
for deliberation had been refused, and amend
ments excluded, although the one was due 10
the subject. and the others were admitted TO
be necessary. BY that time, too, hoped we
might have peace with Mexico; and, indeed,
| entertained no doubt that Congress would
see the necessity for modifying the &C, al the
next session.
81 knew well that the Senate were about
passing the bill, contrary to the judgment Of a
majority, under the dursss Of a party drill; yet,
unwise as that was, my feelings were adverse
TO going against the course Of my party in that
body. These reasons assigned TO the Presi-
dent, whose name is not used without his ex-
press license. Upon my return to the Senate
CHAMBER. as had promised 10 dol told several
Senators who We're regarded asleaders upon this
question that could not vote FOR the bill unles.
il should be amended as above; but,if il were SC
amended, | would give il my vote. And
r.rn,niSaJ tn laor, wv. obioctiopc
poses a secret from the other side, until my
own party had been consulted, and until
should be obliged TO act. The secret was KEEP,
sacredly upon my part, and no Wing Senator
knew of my opposition TO the bill. With that
view it was that, down to the day before re-
signed, had no conference with persons in
| Washington and ont of the Senate, upon this
subject. except the President Of the u. States
himself and one Of his Cabinet unless il may
be that, in general terms, limited TO one oil
my colleagues in the House that was embar-
raised but he asked no interview, and
sought none.
"On the day before resigned went into
the country with private gentleman and per
sonal friend. Ga distinguished Democrat 10
consult with him upon the single point OF my
resigning, or of making resistance TO the BILL
| had frequent conversations with Senators,
and during Wednesday and Thursday, before
the vote was taken in the Senate, held three
confidential conferences with the President
by his request, TO whom my determination 10
vote against the bill was always known. II is
unnecessary for me to allude TO our intimate
personal and political relations, or TO state the
particular conversations that occurred, If II
were possible to repeat such conversations
with perfect accuracy. Suffice il TO say thai
he had notice of my difficulties, and knew all
about my determination, except my intention
to resign. Twas not willing TO tell him OF my
intention TO resign, when there could have
been no motive for it but TO constrain his mag
nanimitv into a resistance of my self.sacTitce
to his Administration. He saw that my mind
was made up, and he respected my scruples,
though he was not Indifferent to their suppos-
ed political consequences to me, or TO his Ad-
minisualion. will not say more.
"But why resign, as my vote against the
bill would not have counted in the result II
was not to be expected that should vote
against my party friends without deiendit
my vote. A speech in the Senate al that time
would have created great excitement. and nc
doubt the same persons who now complain o.
my resigning would have denounced me fol
hodlng on 10 my Olilce merely iof inc Sahc o
making war upon my party. My friends II
the Senate, who had resolved not TO speak
might have had reason to accuse me OF selfish
ness land probably some oimy reasons, uttered
in the warmth OF public speech, might have
appeared as much Ike arraigning others as de-
Tending myself.
''ln short, deprecated the possibility of an
open rupture with those | loved, but with
whom dared not act, and was ever ready tc
+ sacrifice much more than place in the Senate
to avoid it, unless my duty to the country haC
demanded that risk at my hands Country
before party, but party before SELF has al.
ways been my principle of action. fmy self
sacrifice did not secure the peace il was inten'
ded to propitate out Of the Senate, am abun,
dainty rewarded by its effects in the Senate
My firm intention was quietly to resign, and
not TO attack measure Of the Administrator
after it had been passed by my party friends
even for my own vindication. And that de
termination would have been kept if The folly
or wickedness of others had not forced this ex
PLANTATION from me in self defence"
The address concludes with severe though
not Incorporate castigation OF those who have
denounced and vilhfed its author. toremos
; among whom Of course is the editor Of tht
: Union. though he is not named.