Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-03-27
CONGNESSIOEAA.
IN THE SENATE.
Thursday, January IL.
MR.. EDWARDS SPEECH,
( ConcfUded. J

{ ConefUded.)
But, were the sum to be forfeited only
right millions IF dollars, which, it every
one who is able, should complete his
payments, is, l am sure, the very least
that it could possibly be, it surely can
not be difficult to conceive oil the indl-
ridual distress that would be produced,
and the dangerous fcrments and commo-
tions that might be excited by such a
prodigious sacrifice as the total forfeiture
of that amount, being nearly equal to
one-6fth of Our whole circulating me-
dunn.
This, however, sir, is an aspect ofthe
case upon which forbear all further re-
mark, lest | should seem to expect from
yonr fears that which am very certain
would be much more readily yielded to
the superior claims upon your humanity
and justice. And indeed, sir, l have no
hesitation in saying that, whatever may
be your ultimate decision upon the case
now under consideration, it will be as
likely to be acquiesced in, aad submitted
to in the West, as it would be, under
similar circumstances, in any other part
OF the United States for the people of
the western country, not less patriotic
than brave, are second to none in the
most devoted attachment to the Union ;
whose advantages to themselves they
duly appreciate, we'll knowing, among
other things, that, with but one single
outlet Tor the products of their country,
nj cnrf, Il 1o1 c,,,,l,
~, they must look to the Atlantic states
for that naval protection which, from the
peculiarly of their own situation, they
are unable to create for themselves.
They also believe that their Atlantic
brethren, who must become the carriers
OF their produce, cannot fail to see in
their prosperity the best means of in
creasing their own, by the additional en-
enlargement which it would afford to
their navigation and commerce--objects
OF great national importance, which the
western people have not been backward
IN assisting to cherish and to protect.
They have, moreoyer, seen, with great
satisfaction, in some recent measures, a
pledge of those liberal feelings towards
them, which has allayed all former fears,
and forbids the belief that any motive O.
hostility or jealousy could, in the least
degree, influence your decision on The
present occasion; and hatter myself
that there is no gentleman of this honor
able Senate who, under any circumstan-
ces, could find so much cruelty in his
heart as to be willing TO take from those
people eUen eight millions Of dollars,
and at the same ime keep all the lands
tor which those dollars were given, to-
gether with all the Improvements that
have been made upon the lands. No,
sir; humanity, justice, and sound policy,
equally forbid it.
The only real difficulty, therefore,
that presents itself is, to decide upon the
relief which it is expedient and proper
to grant. In considering which, the OBJ
vious policy of making it SO liberal as 10
prevent all hopes of advantage from fu-
ture applications to Congress upon the
subject, ought not to be overlooked; for
experience proves, that where relief in
such cases is frequently granted, which
must always be likely to happen when i,
has been inadequate in the first instance,
i never fails to beget an habitual de-
pendence upon it, which prevents the
necessary exertions to make payment,
and often creates a state OF things that
lenders it difficult to refuse, and some
times necessary to grant, further indul-
gence, than would have been necessary
had sufficient liberality been dispensed
In the first instance.
With this view of the subject, it ap-
pears to me that the FIRST great object
should be to diminish the debt, which
can be accomplished justly, in two
ways
LIST. BY permitting purchasers who
are unable to pay for the whole OF their
lands, to relinquish part of them, upon
equitable terms.
I'd. BY offering just and proper in
ducements to make prompt payment.
1t is the object of the bill now under
consideration, to accomplish the first Of
these measures, by permitting the hold
ers of a plurality Of half quarter sections
of land, upon which the whole install
nents have not been paid, to relinquish
rs many entire half quarter sections as
they please, with the privilege of having
the money paid thereon applied to their
credit, upon such as they may retain.