Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-03-31
MIR. CLINGM AN.

elaborate and thorough review of this discourse,
which, for inconsistency with itself and with the
formerly proclaimed opinions of the speaker, is |
really curiosity. We have not room for the
whole of the Republics article; but, az Mr. Cling
man has acquired position of some prominence
as Southern Wing, we will make use of some OF
its citations which fortunately supply their own
commentary.
Mr. CIingman, there is strong reason to believe,
is now on the balancing point between the two
great parties, and is supposed that his particular
ambition is to be elected to the Senate of the U.
States by the aid of the Democratic party of his
State, which he cannot expect to retain majority
in the Legislature. This conjecture furnishes
ready clue to the intricacies of his present position
1t is, in no small degree, confirmed by the follow
ing dictum in his late speech:
J" There can be no doubt, Mr. Chairman, that the
Wing and Democratic parties once essentially Divided
as to measures, have now become mere factions"
Now, then, for some of Mr. Clineman's incon-
sistencies. And first with regard to the tariff
Mr.. Clingman says in 1851:
Few persons appreciate the entire amount Of the
burden which darfb system has imposed on the
country"
And he estimates this aburden,' which, he ar
CUES, is chiefly borne by the Southern States, to
be more than "seuenty.fre Millions +" OF course,
Mr. Clingman's objections are urged more against
the protective tariff of 1912 than against its suc-
cessor the tariff of 1916. But hear what he had
to say in the 28th Congress, in 1874, after the
tariff of 1912 was exhibiting its full operation:
"This favorable state OF our finances has been produ
ced thus tar without any practical injury having re-
suited 10 any section othe country. Not only cotton
but all OF other productions command better price than
they did before the passage Of the tariff while foreign
art Giles which We i'm orr and consume are generally
cheaper. 1 believe might say invariably so'
On the same occasion, he maintained further
That We should have incidental protection to orr
manufacturers and arzans to sustain our own industry
against the oppressive regulations OF Others and coun.
teract, as tar as practicable the hostile restrictions of
foreign nations"
Thus, as Wing. in 1884, he directly advoca-
ted the principle of protection, and argued that, in
stead of injurng, its operation was beneficial to
Southern interests. AS an agitator, in 1851, he
contends that the South is, through the tariff, an
nually paying an immense and oppressive tribute
But, with respect to the Compromise measures,
and the general question of the advantages of the
Union, Mr.. Cngman is even more glarinely in
consistent. He denounces the Compromise bills
as Surrender" which will exclude the souh
from all participation in the Territories, and yet as
serts that the Abolition party gained no victory BY
their passage; he declares that the additional
strength gained by the Free States may lead to
all overthrow of the government, and vet denies
that the Southern States have anything to appre-
bend All this appears in the following citations
from the speech of 1851:
In the first part of the speech, where he is dis
eussing in his peculiar way the tariff question he
says:
The legislation over the territory acouired from
Mexico, the bills then passed were, in my Judgment
not as their friends claim Tor them Of compro-
promise, but bills Of Surrender In their legal one.
ration they exclude the Shareholders of the South
from the occupation OF every foot of that -terrorv
This is the settled opinion of every northern member of
either party on this floor. 1t also the opinion Of
majority OF southern members"
And again:
"Whe, therefore, cannot two strongly denounca
the acts OF the last session in relation 10 The Mexican
territory DO not nor have pretended that thew
injury to u.s.
Shortly after, Mr.. Clingman says:
81 do not pretend that this exclusion could be claimed
as political victory by the Free-son or Abolition par
ty." 80
"The Abolition party staked itself on the passage Of
Jeffersonian ordinance. After few weeks discussion.
it was driven from this ground being defeated on d.
rect vote"
Next, as to the reasons for Southern apprehen-
sion:
when Texas filled up by grants, they can
mol De prevented from passing the Rio Grande and re-
the neghborng provinces. They are des-
lined to be occupied by saveholdng population.--
l. Will NIL up all the country around The Gulf including
he peninsula OF Yucatan, and, perhaps the northern
portion ofthe South American continent This state
of things will be likely to before our interest
equIes it, That, whether it be desirable net there
altogether too feeble This Government itself cannot
10 IT, had as well attempt to curb the waves of the
ssean. say, boldly, that if the Government makes
he effoftt; i will itself perish in the attempt"
"No sane man can imagine that we need have .er.
Jus fears ofan attack som either the noriernSlatss or
any foreign power"
There IS reason to fear that the additional strength
gwen the tree States may at iu,ure daV embolden
hem to make an attempt upon which will result in
me overthrow OF the Government" /
All which the Republic happily contrasts with
he following passage from speech delivered by
Mr.. Clngman in l847.
Then, speaking of dsunion, he said
IL would be vain, however. for u.s. either side to
hope Tor such prosperity we have hitherto enjoyed
II the stream OF our national existence should be dv-
led, each branch must roll diminished volume, and
would be able only 10 bear lesser burden Such a
separation would be the saddest of all parlings. We
hould feel that our way was lonely. like that of Ha-
gar in the desert-desolae The wanderings OF our
first parents when crime had first begun" &C.
I'VE have a community oil interests which would
seem that party madness could break up. We have
90, recolecons of the past, which, American feel
ngs are stronger even Than calculations OFF interest"
Wehope the Wings of North Carolina will |
note these things, and be mindful of the truth
that doubtful friend is worse than known enc
my.
BREAKING GRouSD.-Thursday the 81 III inst
having been fixed upon as the day to commence
work on tho East Tennessee and Virginia rail
roa', at Strawberry Plains, number of distin-
guished speakers were expected to be present 10