[THE bill for modifying the duties on imports, as passed by the
house of representatives, (in effect, Mr. Clay’s bill,) being
under consideration, and on its passage, a brief discussion took
place, between Messrs. Calhoun, Mangum, Frelinghuysen, Sprague,
and others, in favor of the bill, and Messrs. Webster, Dallas,
Robbins, and others, in opposition.]
MR. CLAY then said a few words in reference to this bill and the
enforcing bill, both of which he considered that it was necessary to
send forth, as well to show that the laws must be executed, as that
there is a disposition to make concessions. He stated, that on the
subject of the government’s being a compact, he principally agreed with
the senator from South Carolina, but with some difference as to the
character of the right conferred by that compact. He did not adopt the
opinion, that there had been any advance made in usurpation of powers
by the general government. He then went into a view of the history of
this system, to show, that twelve or thirteen years ago, there was no
opposition raised against the power of congress to protect domestic
industry. The opposition on constitutional grounds had subsequently
grown up. He then stated, that in his opinion no state could so
practically construe the constitution as to nullify the laws of the
United States, without plunging the country into all the miseries
of anarchy. He said that he adhered to the doctrines of that ablest,
wisest, and purest of American statesmen, James Madison, who still
lives, and resides in Virginia――the doctrines which were advanced by
him in 1799. The answer of that distinguished man to the resolutions
of the other states, and his address to the people, effected a sudden
revolution of public opinion. The people rallied around him; the alien
and sedition laws were repealed; and the usurpations of the general
government were arrested. He viewed the government as federative in its
origin, in its character, and in its operation, and under the clause
of the constitution which gives to congress power to pass all laws to
carry into effect the granted powers, they could pass all necessary
laws. He hoped that the effect of this bill would conciliate all
classes and all sections of the union.
He did not arrogate any merit for the passage of this bill. He had
cherished this system as a favorite child, and he still clung to it,
and should still cling to it. Why had he been reproached? He had come
to the child and found it in the hands of the Philistines, who were
desirous to destroy it. He wished to save and cherish it, and to find
for it better and safer nurses. He did not wish to employ the sword,
but to effect his object by concession and conciliation. He wished to
see the system placed on a securer basis, to plant it in the bosoms
and affections of the people. The gentleman from Pennsylvania, who had
learned his views of the system from the senator from South Carolina,
had spoken of him as the pilot who was directing the vessel. If it was
so, he would ask if she had been secured by a faithful crew? If all had
been faithful, he believed there would have been no danger in assailing
the system. He assailed no one; he merely defended himself against the
reproaches of others.
Another motive with him was to preserve the union. He feared he saw
hands uplifted to destroy the system; he saw the union endangered; and
in spite of all peril which might assail himself, he had determined to
stand forward and attempt the rescue.
He felt himself pained exceedingly in being obliged to separate
on the question, from valued friends, especially from his friend
from Massachusetts, whom he had always respected, and whom he still
respected. He then replied to the argument founded on the idea that
the protective principle had been abandoned by this bill. He admitted
that protection had been better secured by former bills, but there was
no surrender by this. He considered revenue as the first object and
protection as the second. As to the reduction of the revenue, he was
of opinion that there was an error in the calculations of gentlemen.
He thought that in the article of silks alone, there would be a
considerable reduction. The protection to the mechanic arts was only
reduced by the whole operation of the bill to twenty-six per centum,
and he did not know that there would be any just ground for complaint,
as some of the mechanic arts now enjoy only twenty-five per centum.
The argument of the senator from New York, (Mr. Wright,) was against
the bill, but he was happy to find his vote was to be for it. If his
argument brought other minds to the same conclusion to which it had
brought his, the bill would not be in any danger. He would say, save
the country; save the union; and save the American system.