Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-08-22
TO THE EDITORS.
HousK or R.rnE.EsrArIyKs,

Il
| 6, VIII ,lls4a AueUsT 10, 1916
| Messs. GALES Il SEAros Since the passage OF Mr.
Walkers tariff BILL the authority Of Mr. Cars opinions has
been frequently quoted in both Houses Congress support
the ad paore principle Of that bill was induced by this
consideration collect the proofs which refue that position,
intended when suitable occasion occurred present
the House in debate. by of the late day of
the session Of Congress- such occurred This msepre
senation Of Mr. CLArs position the protective policy
still continued by the Administration papers, with view to
weaken objections the To correct in some
degree this psrvsrson Of Mr. Cars principles and opinions
request you publish the substance and effect of the facts
which collected this point and which Herewith transmit
TO you.q Respectfully, yours, GARRETT. DAVIS.
In February, 1885, Mr. CLAY presented Congress his
celebated compromises BILL At that time South Carolina was
Of open revolt against the execution in her ports Of
the existing tariff law President JAoKsos had in his annual
message at the beginning Of the session. taken strong and dis
nct ground for the overthrow Of the protective system and
before the compromise bill had been thought of Mr. Yer
panck the chairman Of the Committee of Ways and Means,
had with the of Mr.. Polk who member Of
reported bill reduce the existing rates Of duties to an
average of less than sixteen per cent BY Mr. VEnPLANcKs
project the protection few articles only high as
twenty five per cent, and but single was allowed
higher t
South Caroline had gone ecede without resistance
disgrace She resolved and Gen. jackson thirst
ing for the blood of her nobest Civil or such
modification of the tariff would enable her to retreat with
honor inevitable The former might have resulted in
crushing her. might have lighted up torch to be exn-
guised only years Of blood she had many ympahzng
spirits in all the Southern States but could not avert the
fate that awaited the protective system Gen. JACKSON had
declared war against it, AT that session might not have
fallen but his relentless spirit and alconqueng popularity
would have destroyed it the next unless in the interim
was rescued by udcous compromise Mr. Clay undertook
the generous and difficult task of preventing both these great
caamies-a civil and the subverson Of the protective
system In his apprehension Of the urgency Of the OCCASION
and the utility and efficiency Of the which he devised
he was sustained by many of the patriotic and ine
gent manufacturers Of the United States informed by
the Hon Mr. SMMoSs Of the Senate, that Mr. CLAY at one
time had abandoned his design because he could not conceive
of mode which would give adequate protection when the
process Of declining duties consmated and which could
get the votes Of Southern gentlemen, whose support
cessay pass it, In this difficulty the idea of an ad valorem
duty upon the home valuation suggested to him by the
Hon. SAMUEL ID. HuBBAnp, most judicous and esnabe
gentleman who representative from the State Of
Connecticut Mr. CLAY seized upon it, and incorporated it
his compromise BILL which passed through both
Houses Of Congress against the strenuous opposition OF Gen
JACKSON Mr. Polk has said that Mr. CLAr by this measure
/" rescued the protective system from destruction"
-on introducing this measure Mr.. CLAY said "My first
object looks to the tariff compelled express the
opinion formed aAer the most deliberate reflection, and
full survey Of the whole country that whether rghuly
wroagfulIy, the tariff stands in imminent danger Fit
shoad preserved during this session must fall at
the session" In subsequent speech, Mr. CLAY de-
cIaed 81 repeat what said the introduction of it that
they hs motives) are FIRST preserve the manufacturing
interest and, secondly, quiet the country. believe the
American system he great danger and believe II can
placed better and safer foundation at this session
than at the next" 'Put it off until the next session. and
the alternative may, and probably would be- speedy and
ruinous reduction Of the tariff civil with the entire
South Mr. CLAY also said that, until lS42 the compro
mise bill would give adequate protection the reduction OF
the Of duties until that time would be inconsideabe
That 1912 could take Of itself; the law might then be
repealed and he trusted to the burdens of war; TO
the chapter of accidents returning of justice in his
countrymen to procure of the rates Of duty they
should prove too low
This law framed upon these general principles
lst That until 1912 there should be small biennial re-
ducon of existing duties the minimum, the specific and the
adj vaorem duties all for the whole PERIOD subject
to the established reduction EACH without change
of its character.
Cd That in 1912 all duties should be adj vaorem on the
home valuation and preserve uniformity Of duties, that
valuation to be established by Congress in the law
3d. The perpetuaon Of the protective principle by charg
ing the whole Of necessary for the admins
traon Of the Government in time Of peace upon imposs on
foreign commerce. and establishing large list Of free articles
4th The dmnuon of the list Of free articles
the pleasure Of Congress- the exclusion Of all art
ces not coming competition with home industry from all
Duties with view render necessary higher rates of duty
on protected Ones give increase of protection to our
own producers
5h Tovary the above below twenty cent upon
such articles as Congress might declare be duabe the
of the public the exgencics Of home industry
might require.
9Th To collect greater Of duties than the need
the Government demanded, but in evying them, entire
liberty to discriminate among oil imported articles for the pro-
lection Of American industry.
Such are the principles and the considerations Of the com
promise act and they all distinctly stated and strongly
enforced by Mr.. Gar when il passed.
Mr. CLAr had had a larger and reer communication with
Southern gentlemen upon the subject OF the tariff than any OF
its friends in the United States; and he better understood
their opinions feelings, and preudices upon this great sub
ect With the more moderate their objections might be
Chased into three principal ls That existing rates
laid primarily with view, not to the amount OF revenue
they would produce but TO the protection they would Afford
ID To the mnmums that all cottons costing between slx
and twenty cents per yard should be held to have cost twenty
cents per yard 3D. That both these mnirnums and many
specific duties imposed without regard, and greatly DIS
propoonae the value Of the goods From the tendency