Richmond Enquirer

[From the Trenton (N. J.) Emporium.

IS SAUL AMONG THE PROPHETS?

In February, 1832, Henry Clay, interspersed his "great speech" in defence of his American System, with the foulest imputations on its prominent opponents. He denounced Gallatin's report, and stigmatized its author as a "heartless foreigner, destitute of all American sympathies or principles! Go home to your native Europe," exclaimed Clay in madness at Gallatin's hostility to high duties, "Go home to your native Europe, and there inculcate upon her sovereigns your Utopian doctrines of free trade!" &c. "The progress of public opinion has kept pace with the developments of the benefits of the system. Virginia will be the next convert - North Carolina will follow later, but not less certainly. Eastern Tennessee is now in favor of the system. And, finally," exclaimed Mr. Clay, "its doctrines will pervade the whole Union, and the wonder will be that they ever should have been opposed!!" &c.

Now mark the contrast which one brief year effected:

In February, 1833, the same Senate that witnessed Clay's philippic against Gallatin, beholds the Kentucky senator producing a bill to reduce the duties to the standard (25 per cent. ad valorem) advocated by the statesman whom he had so infamously calumniated the previous year!!! The "American System" sacrificed by its champion within a twelve month after declaring that "public opinion so kept pace" with the policy through "the whole Union" that "the wonder would soon be that its doctrines should ever have been opposed!!!"

Yet we have been exultingly told of the sagacity of Mr. Clay - of his clear-sighted, prophetic views of national policy! - of his chivalrous spirit and amicable feeling! - of his magnanimity! and of his courtesy!