I am far from asserting that this overture was needed to secure the vote of Pennsylvania for Mr.Lincoln in 1860, or that that State was governed by less worthy motives in her political action than other States.

I only remark that her delegates in the convention thought such a resolution would be extremely useful, and such was the anxiety to secure her vote in the election that a much stronger resolution might have been conceded if it had been required.

I affirm, however, that there was no agitation on the tariff question in any other quarter.

New England had united in passing the tariff of 1857, which lowered the duties imposed by the act of 1846 about fifty per cent., i.e., one-half of the previously existing scale.

The Western States had not petitioned Congress or the convention to disturb the tariff; nor had New York done so, although Mr.Greeley, then as now, was invoking, more or less frequently, the shade of Henry Clay to help re-establish what is deftly styled the "American System." The protective policy was restored, after its fifteen years' sleep, under the auspices of Mr.Morrill, a Representative (now a Senator) from Vermont.