The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-13
Col. w. II. DenSOn'S
Address at ThOrSby


, provements, National banking system
and public education.
Notwithstanding this conflict Of ideas
and opinions on vital industrial and labor
systems yet all agreed on the principles
of human liberty as set forth by Thomas
Jefferson
| It win at once be seen that Jefferson
is not much authority for the current Ia
Dor and industrial systems that have ae-
eompanied the American people in their
rapid and unprecedented advancement
and progress to the industrial supremacy
of the world.
Clay had the advantage Of both Cal
houn and Webster; he never changed his
views as to his American system. AS JEFF
ferson must wear the crown as TO the
fundamentals upon which human liberty
and free institutions must be established.
yet to Clay must be ascribed the honor
and glory of building this gigantic struc-
ture of his American system upon the
doctrines of Jefferson.
Jefferson was the founder of institu-
lions, Clay the master architect of the
laws of practical craftsmanship based on
Jefferson institutes.
The contest between the conflicting
ideas was the American system as advo-
Gated by Clay and paramount State SOW
| ereignty and the doctrine of free trade as
promulgated by Mr.. Calhoun in 1924.
Around these ideas today revolves all
political opinions and party doctrines that
I, confront the American people
The discussion that arose on the adj
mission of Missouri as a State and the
establishment of the Missouri compro-
mise in 1920, a restriction upon slavery
produced the profound impression and
unchanging conviction on the mind of
Mr.. Calhoun that paramount allegiance
of the citizen to the State and State SOW
ereignty, was the only means of protect
ing and perpetuating the institution of
slavery.
African slavery was the basis upon
which the social fabric of the South was
established, as it was the inspiration of
all political thought an action from 1920
to 1860
Calhoun was a pure, disinterested and
exalted character and this, with his COM
handing intellect brought large major
ity of the Southern people to adopt his
views. His first attempt to assert his
| doctrines in practice was the notification
| of the tariff laws of 1928, by South Car
| DINA.
In the contest he failed, national SUI
premacy triumphed over State sover-
eighty.
1t is truly profitable and interesting TO
the student of history to follow the par
liamentary discussion of this question
from 1920 to 1860, but it would weary this
audience to do so.
! Suffice it, the parliamentary discussion
eliminated in the war of 1861, and at APP
pomattox the Southern cause went down,
the Calhoun idea of State sovereignty
and paramount allegiance was vanquish-
| ed, the emancipation of slavery became a
aGia of oil fol IL
| of the South was destroyed and the pur-
pose and inspiration of her political
| thoughts were obliterated, and the Amer
| lean system became triumphant.
The opponents to the American system
| have adopted two of the cardinal princi-
pies of that system, to-wit National
bank system and internal improvements;
the other two, the tariff and aid to public
education by the general government has
| been opposed and successfully defeated
by the opponents of the system on one or
more occasions. Only since the close of
the war have those two principles been
acceded to by the followers of Mr.. Cal
! houn. They have shifted sails and made
antagonistic declarations in their plat
form on the tariff since the war.
The two illustrious and ablest leaders
of the Democratic party since the war
Samuel ]. Randle, now dead, and Arthur
P. German, now living, and a most for
midable candidate for the Presidency by
the Democratic party, were, and German
is now, strong advocates and defenders of
| the tariff system. Since the war the
/ American system has been the system
upon which this government has been adj
ministered; and 1t cannot be denied that
the wonderful development of all the re-
sources of this country, the splendid and
magnificent accomplishments of our peo-
| pie, the lofty and peerless advancement
of our civilization, and the grandeur, the
strength and glory of our American ma
ton have been through the inspiration
and power of the American system.
Why should the South since all this
greatness of our people and power of our
nation continue to advocate that system
| of government which had its foundation
alone in the institution of slavery, and
which foundation was extinguished for
| ever by the arbitrament of the sword at
Appomattox.
If 1t should be said, this elevated posi-
ton of our people and nation has been
secured despite the American system,
| then is 1t not wisdom to let the American
system prevail, as 1t has done no harm If
| 1t has done no good? Certainly those
who are seeking to change this system
must desire or purpose some change of
our present condition and advancement.
If such is not their intention, what is to
be accomplished by an effort to change
the system? Will such change carry our
development and advancement to a high
er and loftier point? Today the Ameri-
can nation lives and exerts its powers as
the crown jewel in the galaxy of nations
Wrapped in the robes of their splendid
achievements, the American people are
the strongest, the richest, the freest and
most happy and independent people on