Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-10-01
PROTECTION TO AMERICAN LABOR
FROM THE COURIER AND ENaviRER.
OPINIONS OF HENRY CLAY

OPINIONS OF HENRY CLAY.
There is but one State in the Union, we willing
ly believe, that could have been deluded into I'll
support of JAMES K. Polk as better Tariff ma
than HENRY CLAY, and which. when the cheat
made manifest can still cling to the fraudulent dc
cevers who pledged their personal honor to tn
truth of the wicked falsehood
New jersey, at any rate, is under no such delu
sion. She knew the men and her own interests
and she gave her support to that man for the Pres
idency whose whole public life had been given tc
the support and encouragement of American indus
try
Falsehood and fraud overbore the true voice OF
the country, and Henry Clay was beaten by James
X. Polk. The fruits are now upon us; but not yet
In all their bitterness foreign war, destruction Of
the tariff, wasteful expenditure, and growing debt
Under such circumstances ii is not surprising that
many longing look should have been turned to-
wards Ashland and many citizen, grateful for
the benefits derived from the policy so ably sustain
ed by Henry Clay, has desired to prove to him that
defeat does not impair the memory of the heart, and
that, although no longer in public life, his good
vices as sound American statesman are freshly re-
membered.
1t was under such an impulse that Messrs Al
BRO, HoYT s Co., Of Elizabethtown, New Jersey,
manufacturers there OF floor oilcoths, selected ono
OF their most finished cloths-and the world affords
none better nor handsomer-and having without
the knowledge Of MIR. CLAY obtained the precise
dimensions of the hall at Ashland, finished and
fashioned the ocloth exactly to fit and then dis
patched it to its destination, accompanied by brief
letter, in which they ask Mr. Clay acceptance of
that specimen of American manufactures, in token
of their sense of his 'many and great public servi
cess, and OF gratitude for his powerful advocacy
of the interests of American labor" The oilcloth
reached its destination safely and its reception is
thus acknowledged by Mr.. Clay:
''AsHLAND, Sept. 10, 1886
/ &c. 81
ultimo, several weeks ago, and have within a
few days past safely received the piece of floor oil
cloth, TO which it refers, which you have kindly
presented to me, to the floor OF my hall. 1t
came in perfect order, having been put up with
markable care. 1t now occupies the place for which
was designed, and Is greatly admired for the solid
ity of the fabric and the taste and beauty of the
brilliant colors which adorn it. 1t would success
fully compare with any piece of floor oilcoth man
uiactured in foreign countries at home, that
have ever seen. | beg your acceptance Of my cor
dial thanks and grateful Acknowledgements for it.
"You have done me the favor to present me this
valuable article, as you pleased to state, for my
many and great public services and token of
your gratitude for my powerful advocacy of the in
teres!s Of American industry
81 am happy, gentlemen, thus TO have secured
your appreciation. In looking back from my retire
ment upon my public career, there is part of my
public exerions which contemplate with more sat
lsiaction than the support which, throughout the
whole OF 1t, constantly, zealously, and faithfully
gave to the industry of my country. Its pros
perty or adversely has been as infallbly marked by
the adequacy inadequacy of protection as the
thermometer indicates heat cold. | believe that
the system Of protection Notwithstanding the oppo-
siton which 1t has often encountered, has pushed
the nation forward half century in advance of
where 1t would have been if the doctrines of free
trade had always prevailed in public councils.
Whether it will be pushed back again TO the same
Or N herr hy Tho eb
ed, which has sought to subvert the previous sys-
TEN and to embody those doctrines, remains to be
seem confess that seriously apprehend great in
jury to the general business OF the country and ul-
umately TO the revenue of the Government. If
there shall not be large addition the OF
our foreign importatons, the Treasury must expo
rience large deficit. If there should be an addi-
ton sufficient to compensate the reduction Of duties
the increase must be paid for by equivalent in
crease In the value OF our exports, or the balance
must be adjusted in specie. Il have not the remot-
est expectation that shall be able to effect pay
ment by additional expectation of the products of
the country. We in the West do not believe that
the relaxation in the British system of restriction
is going TO create any considerable demand for the
surplus of our agricultural produce. We shall /
fear be constrained to resort to the other alternative
in the event of an OF importations, and pay
for them in the precious metals. | need not dwell
on the commercial disorder, the embarrassment in
every department of business, and the widespread
ruin which would be occasioned by constant eX-
portaton of specie in large amounts. We have had
experience enough OF these fatal consequences
whenever protection of our own industry has been
inadequate.
Sin all these views may be entirely mistaken.
1t may turn out that importations will continue
TO flourish and increase that the country will con-
tinue to prosper and that the revenue of the Gov
eminent will be ample Anxious for the welfare and
prosperity of the nation whatever counsels or sys-
TENS Of policy may prevail, shall be most happy
to find these results realized and that have errone-
ously entertained the opinions to which | have 80
long sincerely adhered.
SIN every contingency, gentlemen, pray your
acceptance of my best wishes for the success of your
beautiful manufacture, and for your health, happi
ness, and prosperity.
81 am, with great respect, your friend and ob't
servant. III. CLAY"
'sMessrs. ALBRo, HoYT g. Co.