The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-04-09
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SPEECH or MT. =. l.. CLINGaAN,


OF NORTH CAROLINA,
Il, F,,,,,ys PolieY of The Government; deliuered Il,
cammtss Of he Whoie Of the House Of Representa-
,pss, February 10. 1891.
\ ~ ClINGMAN said Mr. Chairman. a wide range
| bssn lax en- by those gentlemen who have embarked
ne debate on this bill Among the subjects discussed
r. hem is great question directly connected N Us
non 10 lhe immediate subject matter. Before speak
~ 10 the bill ITSELF propose TO direct The attention OF
~ ommitlee 10 this preliminary Question This measure,
vs. hould pass will make heavy demand on the treas-
Am With our other liabilities we snail almost ceuainiy
d hat we have already had before us propositions 10
Isase the existing revenue laws. with view, as the
nyers alege of increasing the amount derived by the
aisng duties on imports was io,neIy ,"e practice,
M asrusson before the House was brought 10 vote
~ ,he measure different mode. however, is now re-
~usd 10 by the friends OF higher duties Their PROPOSE
yons are brought up al time and IN mode when no
lba,s can be had We are thus required 10 vote on
asures of the gravest moment and affecting the vital
sTesls OF the whole country without one word OF ex-
anaton BY their friends or OF obleclion by opponents
mall therefore, in the first place, ask the attention OF
H. committee 10 this branch OF the subject. IN order that
n principles which govern my assi0a sy 70 Anasssisd
y The House and the country n
you we'll remember Mr Chairman, that at the close OF
4. las session OF Congress the gentleman from Ohio
sIr me Mr.. VINToNl introduced proposition which,
uassed into law, would have added more than hun
,d Der cent many Of the existing taxes, and would
ayeIn
@sion and had friends enough to carry it, and thus
ml OF all debate, and brought the House at once to
direct vote. The movement, however, notwithstanding
N The preparation and effort OF its friends failed ior the
van, OF two three votes only tas
M that occasion was, in connexion with of my
sgues denounced by portion OF the press, attribut,
M 10 U.S. properly doubt, the defeat of the measure.
We were charged with having msrepresented the views
d our party and State Since then, however, North
uona has spoken on the subject through the action OF
Nh legislature, by vote unanimous iii house, and
yh 1.-TWO dissentients in the other. Our position on
hal occasion has been fully sustained Not only did the
uature mpiedly thus denounce that particular propo-
sion but has gone far as 10 condemn any increase
duties and all additional protection to the mining and
uahuacuring interests OF the northern States. With
As general propositions embraced in their resolutions
hl concur, and shall hold myself ready at all times to
maintain substantially their truth and justice Re
aisd attempts have been made, Mr. Chairman, TO make
ay subject OF the tariff mere party question Such
dbns have practice failed 10 be successful For ex-
npe: When the tariff act of lS42-often called the
Thg arH"-was enacted, II was passed win the op-
,slon OF almost the entire South With the exception
one or two gentlemen only, the entire whig and dem
sc parties of that section were found voting against
twas carried nevertheless, by the joint effort OF the
alhern wings and democrats, embracing most OF the
aiding men Of The latter pas,y then in Congress
When the bill OF ls46-lhe present law-was passed,
received the vote of single southern whig-my friend
spn Alabama on my right, mir. HiLLIARDl To the
rf Of 1924 and 1s2s, need hardly say that The entire
My Of the southern delegations were opposed, II is
ns however, Mr. Chairman that southern wings have
snded and sustained tariffs, not only tor revenue, but
No or protection an incident, upon certain principles
ls44, in the debate with DR. Duncan OF OHIO, while
Adng the action Of the wing party with reference TO
ts question, and assaiing that OF the northern democ-
a and while stating the principles which it seemed to
oush 10 govern legislation on this subject, declined
ptomnn myself 10 the support OF the tarit as il then
Dot, a permanent measure and lett myself Tree TO
es Tor its modification as ! might subsequently think
roper When questioned three years since by com
khlee appointed by the democratic members OF the
legislature Of North Carolina, in relation to the existing
arid law, not only refused TO pledge myself TO lis
uppo nut expressed the opinion thai II neelrd modlhca-
Ion, and declared my purpose TO sanction such changes
might regard proper necessary at any future day.
e support 8r Chairman, heretofore gwen TO the taIlff
Hy the southern statesmen seems to have rested on the
slowing gounds In the first place. as had occasion 10
nag 10 the attention ot the House three years since,
aas was in tbs convention which formed the federal
aliulon direct bargain between the repre- esenatives
sue northern and southern States II was az reed that,
atoasideraton OF the importation OF slaves beng per-
h up The year S0s. OF the representation OF three
n Of the slaves generally, and OF the delivering up OF
aguves-all OF which CONCESSIONS were made al the
Acahon oi southern members--they should con-
nion lhe part that the Congress should. IN accordance
va lbe wishes of the North, have the power, by a
~ majority vote, TO pass navigation or taIlh laws.
Ats therefore, the supualiohs Tor the benefit OF the
an interest weie faithfully carried onts we OF the
sA ielt that we were under strong obligauons on our
AHn assent TO such policy as might be liberal and fair
Nhsrn interests, and in some instances even submit.
ab sNacions greatly beyond anything that they could
utonaby have claimed.
10 The second place, al the time when our protective
fwy had ITS origin, we surrounded and hemmed IN
ns restrictive systems OF those nations with which
had most commercial intercourse. II was deemed,
feore BY Mr.. Jefferson and others, wise policy TO
aerva the oppressive tariffs of foreign countries BY
FaAalofy Jaws within certain limits upon our part
lhs 'hsfd place At cop,ended that we ought TO
"sueh encouragement 10 our manufacturing establish.
nt during ihet earlier stages as might be necessary
VI lair IN nf nattf yvts
fea Of The world-ln the language Of Mr. Calhoun,
m'Ieeeh IN lsl6, TO put them beyond contingency"
Mf Clay maintained IN 1888, ITO nurse them
VT heir infancy, and until, having come to manhood,
~ hBht be able 10 take care OF themselves"
ouflh reason relied on 10 support OF the system was
mat we ought to make ourselves sufficiently inde.
sh OF iofegn nallons TO be able to produce within
sves whatever really necessary TO our existence
comfort as nation; and hence certain interests ought
Niosered, even at the cost OF temporary inconveni-
until we were sufficiently Independent to escape
saua injury BY the interruption OF friendly relations
any power.
nds upon which the doctrine OF incidental protection
been sustained al the South. know thai other ar
nsnn have been used by the manufacturers of the
oun 'ne argument ~ support OF The system
w Us VIII DC found IN the main included within
~ Propositions How, then, Mr. Chairman, stands
Suesbon Today, tired by these principles And fret
anN oohdioon Is The slave interest OF the South
now intend TO revive the discussion OF the ques-
, Nnieh occupied the time OF this House during the
ssslon The friends OF the measures then enacted
aFola discussion, and deprecate agitation on these
LEI Them have their way, then, as far as I am
aneo shall be ready, however, at any time to
81 y aebae any inend OF those measures but am
wait until the discussion thus opened 1t is
io my present purpose 10 say that, with refer
~. sne legislation over the territory acquired from
a' me bulls then passed were, in my Judgment not,
l trends claim Tor them, measures OF compromise
,w ss surrender. In their legal operanon they cx-
, ne slayeholdefs OF the South from the occupation
"sV loot OF that territory. This is the settled opin-
~ u Wefy northern member of either party on this
aso The opinion Of q majority. OF southern