...
The Embargo Act, the Non-Importation Act, and all the crowd of
additions and supplements, together with all their garniture of
messages, reports, and resolutions, are tumbling undistinguished
into one common grave. But yesterday this policy had a thousand
friends and supporters; to-day it is fallen and prostrate, and few
'so poor as to do it reverence.' Sir, a government which cannot
administer the affairs of a nation without so frequent and such
violent alterations in the ordinary occupations and pursuits of
private life, has, in my opinion, little claim to the regard of the
community."
All this is very characteristic of Mr. Webster's temperament in dealing
with public affairs, and is a very good example of his power of dignified
reproach and condemnation.
Mr. Calhoun had said at the close of his speech, that the repeal of the
restrictive measures should not be allowed to affect the double duties
which protected manufactures. Mr. Webster discussed this point at length,
defining his own position, which was that of the New England Federalists,
who believed in free trade as an abstract principle, and considered
protection only as an expedient of which they wanted as little as possible.
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