MARCH 22, 1832.] The Tariff [SENATE. ing duties, but that his resolutions expressly required a there are. But the Senator from New York announces his re-examination of it, and suggested the basis upon which determination not merely to preserve the present system, so a modification of it might be made. To prove this, he again read his project] treasury. In this view of the subject, said Mr. T., although I do not approve of the scheme of the Senator from Pennsylvania, yet it seems to be so far preferable to both the others, that I shall give it my support at present. What may be the vote I may give, if this amendment obtains, it will be time enough hereafter to state. far as it gives a reasonable encouragement to this branch of industry, but never to permit any rival foreign commoI understood the scheme of the honorable Senator from dity to enter into competition with the home-made article, New York, said Mr. T., precisely as he has explained it, except under circumstances giving advantage in the comand was about to show that, however latitudinous and ge- petition to the home manufacturer. This, in effect, is to neral may be the terms in which it is expressed, its mean- give a monopoly of the home market to the home manuing and effects are precisely those of the Senator from facturer, to the extent of the supply he is about to make; Kentucky. Nay, that the principle which it advances, and then lets in the foreign commodity at an increased goes even beyond that contended for by that Senator. A price to the consumer, which, while it must oppress him, good proof that I am right in this, the Senate have already is neither required to defray the expenses of the Governheard, in the entire accordance in this project, expressed ment, nor to protect the manufacturing industry. It is, by the Senator from Kentucky, and his willingness to sup- therefore, an oppressive burden, wantonly imposed, withport it, so soon as the first proposition concerning the du-out any other object than to accumulate a surplus in the ties imposed upon the unprotected articles is disposed of. The scheme of the Senator from New York, as the Senate have again heard it declared to be, is this, to continue all the present duties of protection, so far as they may be necessary to secure competition in the market between the foreign and domestic articles of a like kind, with what he calls a reasonable advantage in this competition to the home manufacturer, and to reduce all the protecting du- Mr. HENDRICKS rose to inquire of the Chair if it ties which now exceed this limit to that point. Now, what would now be in order to move to refer the whole subject, is the demand of the Senator from Kentucky? He only the resolutions of the Senator from Kentucky, and the asks for "adequate protection;" and has often expressed amendment proposed by the Senator from Pennsylvania, his willingness to reduce the protecting duties hereafter to one of the standing committees of the Senate; and beto that point, if it can be shown to him that any one of them ing informed by the President that it would be in order, go beyond it. Ask him what he considers as "adequate he proceeded, and said: protection," and he tells you, frankly and openly, such a It was then his purpose, before resuming his seat, and duty as will enhance the price of the foreign commodity after he should have made a very few observations, to in our market so much as to enable the home manufac-move a reference of the whole subject to the Committee turer to sell his rival article at that price, and at that price on Manufactures. It must now be obvious, said Mr. H., to secure a reasonable profit to himself. Grant him this, that the further we progress in the discussion of these aband he asks nothing more. But the Senator from New stract resolutions, the greater will be our difficulties; and York is not satisfied with this degree of protection; he re- the less probable is it that we shall ever agree on any quires not only such a duty as will secure a fair competi- thing. These resolutions have been before the Senate tion between the rival articles, but so much more as may more than two months. And surely no member of the be necessary to give to the home manufacturer a reason-body can entertain the opinion that we are in the least deable advantage in what this Senator calls a fair competi-gree approaching unanimity; but that, on the contrary, tion. That is to say, he proposes to secure, not a reason- we are further apart now than when we began; and, inable, but an unreasonable profit to the home manufacturer, deed, the amendment recently proposed, especially in by enhancing the price of the rival foreign commodity connexion with other amendments suggested, seem to be above the point at which the domestic article may enter producing a degree of confusion, and a greater diversity into fair competition with it. of opinion, than has been manifested in any previous stage of the debate. Was I right, then, said Mr. T., when I affirmed that the Senator from Kentucky occupied a middle position in these biddings, and that, although he offered less, probably, than did the Senator from Pennsylvania, yet his offer was better than that of the Senator from New York. The original resolutions assert that the existing duties on all unprotected articles "ought to be forthwith abolished," except on wines and silks, and that on these they ought to be reduced; and direct that the Committee on So far as the duties on the unprotected articles are con- Finance report a bill accordingly. The amendment oricerned, both the Senators from Pennsylvania and Ken-ginally proposed by the Senator from South Carolina, detucky are willing to abolish them altogether, with the ex-clared that the existing duties on all articles, both protectception of wines and silks; but the Senator from New ed and unprotected, ought to be so reduced as to bring York says no, most of these duties are imposed upon luxu- down the revenue to the actual expenditures of the Gories, and although they are not required for either reve-vernment, after the public debt shall have been paid. On nue or protection, yet, if you disburden the rich, while you these two propositions, diametrically opposite in principle, continue to oppress the less wealthy, you will surely make and in their effect, upon the tariff policy, has the discusyour American system more odious than it now is, and sion, until very recently, progressed. The latter propowill so endanger its future fate. Therefore, keep such sition being, in effect, rejected by a refusal to strike out duties on, although they are not wanted. So far as the pro- the first, the Senator from Pennsylvania comes forward tecting duties are concerned, the Senator from Pennsyl- with a proposition of the middle ground, and, in the disvania is willing to commute them for satisfactory equiva- cussion, suggests that he has two others which he means lents, to be furnished by a system of commercial regula- to submit; and the Senator from New York has also read tions, which, having no regard to revenue, will necessarily us two or three propositions, which he means to submit. diminish the risk of a surplus in the treasury. The Sena-Thus are we about to be deluged with every shade of protor from Kentucky is unwilling to adopt this course now, position which can be crowded between two extremes, from no indisposition to attain its objects, if I understand and the debate, which we all hoped was nearly brought to him correctly, but from an unwillingness to disturb the a close, is about to take a wider and more interminable protecting policy in any way at this time. For he de- range than ever. clares his desire to reduce the duties of protection here- Indeed, said Mr. H., the original resolutions of the Seafter, in all cases where they give more than reasonable nator from Kentucky are fraught with great difficulty, and encouragement to the manufacturing industry, if any such with much to embarrass the Senate; and, decide them as SENATE.] The Tariff. [MARCH 22, 1832. you may, you settle nothing; for when the bill contem- indifferent to some expressions which had escaped during plated by them shall be reported to the Senate, the whole the present debate. He had heard the propositions for a tariff will be before us. Then any member will be at per- modification of the land system spoken of as wild schemes; fect liberty to introduce any amendment he may think and that of the Secretary of the Treasury, looking to their proper, as well to the protected as the unprotected arti- transfer to the States in which they lie, as the wildest of cles. This is the objection to abstract propositions in le- all; and this in the face of distinct expressions of almost gislation. In this way you can assert a principle, but you every Legislature of the new States, asking a modificacannot regulate its details; and the tariff always has been, tion of the system. It had not escaped him, nor did he and ever must be, almost entirely a question of details. In suppose it had escaped any member of the Senate, that, this is its great difficulty. The principle of the resolu- in the various schemes for reducing the revenue, it had tions before us, said Mr. H., is extremely questionable. generally been affirmed that the revenues of the public It is, that the duties on the unprotected articles ought to lands should remain as they are. For one, he protested be forthwith abolished. Now, sir, I, for one, am not pre- against this: and he could confidently assure the Senate pared to say this. While I hold the protective principle that the people of the new States, as far as he was made sacred, I do not believe in this doctrine. These articles acquainted with their opinions, fully expected some parare chiefly composed of what may fairly be denominated ticipation in the proceeds of the public lands, as soon as the luxuries of life; such as tropical fruits, cordials, per- the national debt should be paid; and that without this fumeries, and fancy articles almost innumerable. Of the there would be much dissatisfaction in that portion of duties on these articles, no one has complained. On this the Union. They know that these lands are pledged for subject not a voice has been raised from Maine to Louisi- the payment of the debt, and for nothing more; and they ana. They consist of articles, the consumption of which know that when this debt shall be paid, their proceeds is confined very much to the wealthy portions of the com- will not be needed for any purpose of the Federal Gomunity, to the cities, and the seaboard. They enter.very vernment. If they had not known this before, the debate little into the consumption of the people of the great inte- now in progress would give abundantly this information. rior of the country. There are, to be sure, some articles These resolutions propose to dispense with from seven to on this list of a different description, such as teas, coffee, ten millions of revenue, because it is not needed for any and a few other articles, but he was not prepared to say purpose of the Government, and because the Government, that they ought all forthwith to be abolished. He did not under such circumstances, is better without it than with wish to be committed by any such vote. He wished to it. These millions are chiefly paid by the States on the remain at perfect liberty, after the bill should be submit- Atlantic seaboard—are paid by the wealth of the country, ted, to vote as his judgment might dictate on its details: and assessed on the luxuries of life. They are burdento take the items, and retain or reject them as he might some to no section of the count y--complained of by nothink proper. He would cheerfully vote to take the du- body. The revenues from the public lands have, within ties off teas, coffee, dye stuffs, and such like articles. But the last ten years, vibrated between one and three milhe objected to a decisive vote on these resolutions, be- lions. Three millions will be a large estimate for many cause of their uncertainty. In examining the existing tariff years to come. The new States will tell you that it is reafor the purpose of making out this list of unprotected arti- sonable that, in the new modification of the great intecles, perhaps no two Senators would entirely agree. The rests of the country, and in the reduction of the general resolutions then required us to vote in the dark. I have, revenue from ten to fifteen millions, for it may safely be sir, said Mr. H., three lists of these articles before me, thus reduced after the debt shall be paid, that some of differing from each other widely. One is a list contained these millions ought to be given to the new States; and so in a bill reported by a Senator from Missouri, [Mr. BEN- the whole Union will say that their expectations and their TON,] at a former sess on, another is a list contained in the demands are reasonable and just. Especially will the speech of the Senator from South Carolina, [Mr. HAYNE,] emigrating classes of the old States say so. They will de and the third is a list not yet submitted, but prepared for mand of you an inheritance in the new States, which you that purpose. This was a conclusive objection with him are not able to give them at home, in the old States; and to the resolutions as they stood before the Senate; and this that some of the moneys which they pay into your treawas one of his reasons for the motion he was about to make.sury for the uncultivated forest, shall be expended among We are, said Mr H., commencing a novel and very them, for the purposes of internal improvement and eduimportant work-the reduction of the revenue. This po- cation. They will tell you that all your allegations about licy is begun in the fear of dreadful evils from a surplus. purchasing the soil of the new States with the blood This evil we had never yet felt; and, for one, he was in-and treasure of the old States are delusive-that they clined to wait its approach without any apprehension. are fallacies. They will tell you, as we tell you, that Many millions of the public debt were yet upon us, and these things are the offspring of the revolution; and that the evil could easily and speedily be removed whenever it should be found to press us. The prospect of this surplus had heretofore consoled us. we are the sons of the revolution as well as you: that, in this sense of the phrase, you have no right to say to us that you are exclusively the old States. The people of We had, heretofore, looked to it as the means of a per- the new States will tell you, that while you enjoy the culmanent and somewhat enlarged plan of internal improve- tivated fields, the ease, the comfort, and the enjoyments ment. And we in the new States have been looking with of the old States, it is but reasonable that their own means sanguine expectations to this period of our affairs for a should be employed in making the same improvements in beneficial change in our land system. He had said that their own country, which they helped you to make in he would vote with great pleasure to relieve from duties yours, before they left you. This, sir, said Mr. H., is my teas, coffee, and some other articles contemplated by the view of the subject; but I will no longer detain the Senate. resolutions; and he hoped to have an opportunity of so doing, when the bill should be reported to the Senate. But, for one, he should never vote to reduce the revenues of the country to the minimum of current expenditures; for this would be a farewell to internal improvements, and to all hopes of any modification of the land system, favorable to the new States. He was aware that it would be said that the resolutions now before the Senate contem- Mr. CLAY spoke in favor of the reference, and stated plated no reduction to this extent; but he could not be that he should urge a report from the committee, of a Mr. H. then moved that the whole subject, both the resolution of the Senator from Kentucky, and the amend ments proposed by the Senator from Pennsylvania, be referred to the Committee on Manufactures. Mr. HAYNE suggested to the Senator from Indiana the propriety of a reference of the resolution to some other committee than that of manufactures. MARCH 22, 1832.] The Tariff. 618 [SENATE. bill repealing the duties on unprotected articles. He had unmitigated severity; if, instead of affording relief from been long anxious to obtain a direct expression of the the burdens of which we so justly complain, the majority sense of the Senate upon the resolution. Mr. HOLMES moved an adjournment; which was rejected. Mr. SMITH said that it was of no consequence to what committee the resolution was sent, for it instructed the committee to report a bill on certain principles. pealing or greatly reducing the revenue duties, for the are determined to render them more aggravated, by reweight of this unjust taxation upon the agricultural interest, then gentlemen must prepare themselves to meet the benefit of the manufacturers, and thus throw the whole Mr. KING said: Mr. President, it is my design to detain duce. the Senate but a few minutes, but I cannot consent the with the proceedings of the committees of this body, not consequences which their oppressions will inevitably proreference proposed should be made, without giving my to know that the reference of these propositions, whether Mr. President, I have been too long acquainted view of the effect which it is calculated to produce. Sir, adopted by the Senate or not, will be considered by the I have not been an inattentive observer of this whole pro- committee as instructions to report on them, and them ceeding; more than two months past, the Senator from only. Sir, they cannot extend their inquiry beyond the Kentucky introduced his resolutions, instructing the Com-subject-matter referred; and I appeal to the older memmittee on Finance to bring in a bill to abolish, forthwith, bers of the Senate for the correctness of this position. all the duties on articles unprotected, with a slight ex- Sir, the Senator from Kentucky so considers it, else he ception as to silks and wines. A labored and protracted would not so eagerly seize upon the proposition now made debate ensued, which I forbore to take any part in, from to refer, after having so repeatedly pressed for the dea conviction that no practical good could result from the cision of the Senate upon his resolutions, and after havdiscussion, Mr. President, no man in this Senate, or in ing successfully resisted all amendments which would this nation, feels more sensibly than I do, the unjust ope- extend the inquiry to the whole subject of the tariff. I ration of the tariff upon the section of country in which I would ask, Mr. President, if this was a select committee, reside; and no man is prepared to go further, in a consti- clothed with no powers but such as should be conferred tutional resistance to this oppressive system, than I am; on it by the Senate, would the reference of these resolubut, sir, I had hoped, most ardently hoped, that a spirit tions justify it in reporting upon subjects not embraced of conciliation would have guided the deliberations of this by them? Certainly not. I fear, sir, my friend from Congress; that discontents would be removed by just le- Indiana, if he succeeds in this motion, will defeat the very gislation; and that harmony would be restored to our object he has in view. distracted country. I will not say, sir, that this fondly to the passage of the resolutions of the Senator from cherished hope is entirely destroyed; but I must confess Kentucky; that he is in favor of a fair modification of the the course pursued by the Senator from Kentucky, and whole tariff system; and he wishes the committee to come He has declared himself opposed his friends, is well calculated to weaken the expectation to the examination of the subject, unrestrained; in that, that this all-important subject will be amicably adjusted. my friend and myself perfectly agree. I request, then, Sir, that Senator, it is true, has been liberal in his profes-that he will relieve me from all difficulty, by withdrawing sions; he has said he will reduce the revenue to the lowest his motion to refer. sum which may be required to meet the wants of the Government; and how, sir, does he propose to effect this? able to comply with the suggestion of the Senator from Merely by a repeal of the duties on the unprotected arti- South Carolina, and substitute the Committee on Finance Mr. HENDRICKS said he regretted that he was uncles now, and at a more convenient season resort to fur-for that of Manufactures. The Committee on Manufacther legislation; for he has repeated over and over again, tures was, in his opinion, the proper committee. It had with great emphasis, "you must not touch the protective been constituted expressly for the consideration of such system." tor, of taxing the many for the benefit of the few, which referred to that committee. This opinion had governed This system, so holy in the eyes of the Sena- subjects, and hitherto such subjects had uniformly been draws from the pockets of our people more than seven- his vote on previous occasions; and in this view of the teen millions of dollars annually, must not be touched. I subject he had, during the present session, voted to refer am not, Mr. President, disappointed in the Senator from the salt bill, and the Indian blanket bill, to the Committee Kentucky; he is consistent with himself; but, sir, I am on Manufactures. He would cheerfully vote to refer any surprised and pained at the proposition of the Senator proposition of inquiry relative to the tariff, to that comfrom Pennsylvania; from him, I am free to confess I had mittee; and, if the Senator from South Carolina wished hoped better things. Is this the evidence he gives of the to refer his proposition, which had so long been the subspirit of conciliation by which he was actuated? To me ject of debate, to that committee, he should have his the amendment proposed is decidedly more objectionable vote to that effect. In reply to various opinions, recently than the original resolutions; they are plain to every un- expressed, that areference of this subject, under present derstanding; while the amendment, equally avoiding all circumstances, is tantamount to an instruction to the cominterference with the protected articles, proposes so to mittee to bring in a bill in conformity to the resolution, reduce the duties on the unprotected class as to bring he would say that nothing could be further from his view down the revenue to the actual demands of the Govern- of the reference. ment. An annual revenue of more than twenty-six millions of dollars is thus to be brought down to the wants of the Government, which none, I believe, will contend, should exceed fifteen millions, and most of us are of the opinion should not be more than twelve, by a reduction of duties on articles which do not pay altogether seven millions. Sir, I will not give utterance to the feelings the proposition is calculated to excite. Senate on the merits of the resolution, that his motion had been made to refer; and he had no doubt that this would be the view of the Senate in referring, if the moIt was to avoid all expression of the tion should prevail. Surely no member of the Senate, in voting to refer, will feel that he is adopting the resolution; on the contrary, by referring, the Senate will clearly say that the opinion of a committee is sought for, before the Mr. President, I will not attempt a discussion of the ciple or the merits of the resolution. general question. I am aware that I should but recapituSenate shall be called upon to give any vote on the prinlate arguments, urged with so much force and ability by is this: that the committee may report a bill, upon which much abler men, demonstrating, beyond the power of we may act with more practical effect, than upon an abMr. DICKERSON said, the advantage of this reference refutation, the inequality, injustice, and oppressive opera-stract proposition. If the Senate adopt the resolution to tion of this whole system; but will merely remark, that instruct the committee to report a bill upon the principle if this course of policy is to be persevered in, in all its contained in that resolution, they may feel under obliga. SENATE.] the Senate. tions to support such bill. If the bill should be reported it would be without any attempt to change the system. without such instructions, no Senator, except the com- He had listened attentively to the debate which had ocmittee reporting the bill, will be in any way committed to cupied so much of the time of the Senate, on abstract support it, no more than if the bill should be introduced questions of political economy; he considered such a deupon leave, or if introduced by the committee under bate wholly unprofitable, and as leading to no practical their general powers, according to the suggestion of the result: there was no end to speculative reasoning and Senator from Alabama, [Mr. KING.] It may be true, as the opinions on this absorbing subject; and until some definite Senator suggests, that the Committee on Manufactures scheme was matured and submitted to the Senate, he did have the power to report such a bill as is called for by the not feel disposed to participate in the discussion. But he resolution, but the committee think it more becoming could not vote to send the resolution of the Senator from them to perform duties than to exercise power. Had the Kentucky to any committee, fortified by the sanction committee reported such a bill under their general powers, which it had received by a refusal to strike it out, and it is possible they might have been informed by that Sena- insert the amendment of the Senator from South Carolina, tor that they had performed a service not required by unless it was so modified as to show on its face that nothing them. The power to report such a bill will, I presume, more was intended than to draw the attention of the combe exercised by the committee as soon as they can know mittee to the subject which it embraced. He felt a deep that such exercise of power will meet the approbation of solicitude that all just cause of dissatisfaction, and every ground of discontent among the people, might be reTo the question proposed-Would the Committee on moved, by a reduction of duties on foreign importations Manufactures not report a bill in accordance with the to a reasonable standard during the present session. Let resolution Mr. D. expressed his opinion as one of the us, said he, in a mutual spirit of compromise and concescommittee, that they would promptly report a bill for re- sion, do justice to all, and restore tranquillity to this dispealing the duties on unprotected articles, which could tracted country; but certain he was that this object, so not be considered as a revenue bill. As to a tariff bill, much to be desired, could not be achieved by adopting which is justly considered a revenue bill, he felt some the scheme of the Senator from Kentucky. He should, constitutional difficulties, and doubted whether such a bill therefore, vote against the proposed reference of the recould originate in the Senate; but if the Senate should solution. Mr. P. afterwards offered, as an amendment, be of opinion that such a bill can originate here, or if a the resolutions which he had laid on the table in Decemmajority of the committee shall be of that opinion, he ber last; which was agreed to. will, with great cheerfulness, perform his part in present- Mr. FORSYTH said he should vote for the motion. ing a bill so modifying the tariff, that considerable reduc- He did not consider it as committing the Senate in favor tion of duties may take place without impairing the of the resolution, but rather as a refusal to adopt its protection now afforded to the most important manufac- principles. When the committee reported, we should tures of the country. have something to talk about. We should no longer be engaged in beating the air with our swords-we should, have something to fight for and against. The committee would, probably, as the chairman tells us, soon report a bill repealing the duties on unprotected articles, and retaining every thing that was odious and oppressive in the present system. Such a bill he did not believe would pass the Senate, or any other legislative body on earth, for it was manifestly unjust. Mr. POINDEXTER said that, if the resolution of the honorable Senator from Kentucky [Mr. CLAY] could be so amended as to change its affirmative character into an instruction of mere inquiry on the subject to which it relates, he should make no objection to its reference to the Committee on Manufactures in that shape; but, as the proposition affirmed a principle from which he [Mr. P.] dissented, he could give no vote which might, in the remotest degree, imply his sanction of it. It had been said Mr. FOOT said he was somewhat surprised to hear the by several honorable Senators, that to refer this resolution, remarks of the Senator from Alabama, [Mr. KING,] callwith the several amendments laid on the table by the ing in question the decision of the Chair, in relation to honorable Senator from Pennsylvania, would leave the this point. From the long experience of that Senator in whole subject open to the committee, in the same extent this body, as well as in other deliberative assemblies, we as if it was sent to them in the form of an inquiry. He should suppose he must be perfectly familiar with the orthought otherwise. The Senator from Kentucky had, at dinary course of proceedings in legislation! Surely, said an early period of the session, offered a resolution to Mr. F., a moment's reflection must convince the Senator instruct the Committee on Finance to report a bill on cer- that he himself has fallen into an error; and that the detain general principles, on which the opinion of the cision of the Chair is strikingly in accordance with parliaSenate was asked. After a protracted and interesting dis-mentary usage. Let me call the attention of the Senator cussion, a vote had been taken on striking out the whole to the case now before the Senate. The resolution offerof the original resolution, and inserting an amendment ed by the Senator from Kentucky [Mr. CLAY] has not proposed by an honorable Senator from South Carolina; been decided. A motion to strike out the body of the reand, on a division of the question, the Senate have so- solution, and insert another of a different import, has been lemnly determined to retain the resolution in the form in negatived-by which the proposed amendment failed. But which it was presented by the Senator from Kentucky. another amendment has been offered, and the motion now Does not this decision pledge a majority of the Senate pending is to refer the resolution and amendment to the to sustain by their future votes any bill which may be re- Committee on Manufactures; and the Senator insists that ported, carrying out the broad proposition of the mover the committee will be bound to report in accordance with of the resolution, which we are called on to refer without the original resolution, viewing that in the light of positive any modification whatever? The committee, in the per- instruction. But, sir, the amendment offered is also reformance of its duty, will regard this reference as an ferred. And is not the amendment to be considered expression of an opinion favorable to the views of the equally as a part of the instructions?-one proposing one Senator from Kentucky, and we may forthwith expect a plan, and the other an entirely different system. I would report, with all the details necessary to carry this new ask the Senator which proposition is to guide the commitsystem into effect. tee. The answer is easy. They are bound by neither. He protested against any such modification of the tariff The two propositions are before them, and it is left to their of 1828 as that proposed, leaving all its offensive features discretion which to propose. Other plans may be proposuntouched, and rendering it even more odious and objec-ed, so as to give the committee the greatest possible latitionable to the great body of the American people, than tude in their investigations. OF DEBATES IN CONGRESS. 622 MARCH 22, 1832.] The Tariff. [SENATE. gen But, said Mr. F., I have been highly gratified with the cess must depend on our presenting an unbroken front to pledge given by the Senator from Georgia, [Mr. FoRSYTH,] our opponents. It has, therefore, been with regret, greater to vote with the friends of the protective policy, in refer- than I can express, that I have seen the gentleman from ring this subject to the appropriate Committee on Manufac- Georgia, [Mr. FORSYTH,] in the progress of this controtures. I rejoice to see some prospect of an amicable versy, falling into the views of our opponents. Sir, will settlement of this great subject, which has produced so not the gentleman be admonished of his error, when he much excitement in the Southern section of the Union, finds himself, as on this occasion, advocating the course and so much ardent zeal in debate on the resolution; and, which the Senator from Kentucky, and the whole tariff with the proposition coming from such a quarter, we can-party on this floor, are so ready to support? I cannot refrain not but be cheered with the prospect of a speedy restoration from saying, that setting out, as the gentleman from Georof kind feelings, and a compromise on this exciting subject, gia did, with the declaration, at the commencement of this which must be highly gratifying to all parties, and highly debate, of his determination "to die in the last ditch," I important to the Union--and we shall most cordially unite was not prepared for finding him (as on a late occasion) in our votes with his in favor of the proposed reference. Mr. HAYNE said, that whatever difference of opinion common enemy, to direct it against his own friends. The might exist as to the general effect of the mere reference gentleman on that occasion told us that we had no right the very midst of the conflict--turning his fire from the of a resolution to a committee, it appears to me that no to expect that my amendment to the resolution of the two minds can be brought to different conclusions as to tleman from Kentucky could possibly prevail-that the the effect of referring this particular resolution to the amendment and the resolution were the two extremes, and Committee on Manufactures. The point in dispute be- we must be prepared to meet on some middle ground, and tween the friends and opponents of the protecting system, wait to a future period for a more satisfactory adjustment is, whether, in the proposed modification of the tariff, we of the tariff. shall separate the unprotected from the protected arti- Senate, that when my proposition was originally submitcles; and, proceeding forthwith to abolish the duties on the ted, that gentleman rose in his place, and declared that former, leave the latter untouched. The resolution of the "it yielded all that any tariff man could dare to ask." And yet it will be in the recollection of the Senator from Kentucky, [Mr. CLAY,] now under consi- Yes, sir, the very proposition which the gentleman now deration, and the amendment of the Senator from Penn- denounces as an extreme measure, which we cannot hope sylvania, [Mr. WILKINS,] embraces those articles only reasonably to accomplish, he then declared granted all "which do not come into competition with similar arti- that our opponents could dare to ask. [Mr. FORSYTH cles made or produced within the United States." rejection of my motion to strike out this resolution for the taken in supposing that he had denounced his amendment purpose of inserting an amendment, looking to a general as an extreme measure; he had intended to apply that deThe here rose to explain, and said that Mr. HAYNE was misreduction on all articles, protected as well as unprotected, signation only to Mr. CLAY's resolution. He had said, and has left before us the naked proposition of so modifying he still thought, that the amendment conceded as much as the tariff as to take off the duties entirely from the un- the opponents of the tariff could with reason or justice protected articles, leaving all of those which affect the require. But who, said Mr. F., can expect justice here, protected articles; in plain terms, to maintain the protect- at this time, and under existing circumstances? Did the ing system in its most odious form, and its most oppressive gentleman from South Carolina expect justice? He himcharacter. And this is the proposition which it is now self certainly did not, though he hoped that at some fumoved to refer to the Committee on Manufactures--a com- ture period justice might be obtained.] mittee known to be favorable to such an arrangement of the tariff as is proposed in this resolution-a committee, it is the resolution of the gentleman from Kentucky alone of which the Senator from New Jersey [Mr. DICKERSON] which the Senator from Georgia considers as an exis chairman, and the Senator from Kentucky [Mr. CLAY] treme measure;" and yet this is the very resolution of I am rejoiced, sir, to hear that a member-a committee, four members of which out of which he is willing to make a disposition, that amounts five are known to be devoted advocates of the American substantially to the adoption of the principle on which it system. What, I would ask, can be the effect of such is founded-a recognition of the discrimination between a reference, but to put the proposition of the gentle- the protected and unprotected articles, by acting separateman from Kentucky into the form of a bill, and to have ly upon the latter--a discrimination which I have no hesiit in the course of a very few days brought up to be tation in saying (if it shall receive the final sanction of passed into a law? It is vain for gentlemen to tell us that Congress, in the manner proposed) will rivet the Amerithe committee may, if they please, extend the reduction can system upon this country forever, without leaving us to other articles than those embraced in the resolution re-the smallest hope of relief hereafter. For no one can be ferred to them. No one can suppose, for a moment, that so dull as not plainly to perceive that if this great crisis in they will do so; and when the Senate, after due delibera- our national affairs, arising from the extinction of the tion on the subject, determines to submit to them the sin-public debt, is suffered to pass away without a reduction gle proposition to reduce or abolish the duties on wines, of the duties to the just revenue standard, no season half silks, velvets, spices, and other articles of luxury, it is so favorable to such a reduction will ever again occur. A hardly to be imagined that such a committee will go out quiet acquiescence in the system now, must amount to of their way to take up another and distinct proposition-submission to it forever. the reduction of the duties upon the necessaries of life, Mr. HAYNE resumed. such as woollens, cottons, and iron, not referred to them. the other side of the House seem but imperfectly to un- |