“But, Sir, I am of the opinion of a very eminent person, who had occasion, not long since, to speak of this topic in another place.  Inconsistencies of opinion, arising from changes of circumstances, are often justifiable.  But there is one sort of inconsistency which is culpable.  It is the inconsistency between a man’s conviction and his vote; between his conscience and his conduct.  No man shall ever charge me with an inconsistency like that.  And now, Sir, allow me to say, that I am quite indifferent, or rather thankful, to those conductors of the public press who think they cannot do better than now and then to spread my poor opinions before the public.

“I have said many times, and it is true, that, up to the year 1824, the people of that part of the country to which I belong, being addicted to commerce, having been successful in commerce, their capital being very much engaged in commerce, were averse to entering upon a system of manufacturing operations.  Every member in Congress from the State of Massachusetts, with the exception, I think, of one, voted against the act of 1824.  But what were we to do?  Were we not bound, after 1817 and 1824, to consider that the policy of the country was settled, had become settled, as a policy, to protect the domestic industry of the country by solemn laws?  The leading speech[11] which ushered in the act of 1824 was called a speech for the ‘American System.’  The bill was carried principally by the Middle States.  Pennsylvania and New York would have it so; and what were we to do?  Were we to stand aloof from the occupations which others were pursuing around us?  Were we to pick clean teeth on a constitutional doubt which a majority in the councils of the nation had overruled?  No, Sir; we had no option.  All that was left us was to fall in with the settled policy of the country; because, if any thing can ever settle the policy of the country, or if any thing can ever settle the practical construction of the Constitution of the country, it must be these repeated decisions of Congress, and enactments of successive laws conformable to these decisions.  New England, then, did fall in.  She went into manufacturing operations, not from original choice, but from the necessity of the circumstances in which the legislation of the country had placed her.  And, for one, I resolved then, and have acted upon the resolution ever since, that, having compelled the Eastern States to go into these pursuits for a livelihood, the country was bound to fulfil the just expectations which it had inspired.”

[Footnote 1:  Mr. Clay.]

[Footnote 2:  Lord Lansdowne.]

[Footnote 3:  Lord Liverpool.]

[Footnote 4:  Mr. Huskisson, President of the English Board of Trade.]

[Footnote 5:  The Marquess of Lansdowne.]