The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1829-12-17

The agricultural interest Of our country Is
! so essentially connected with every other, and
so superior in Importance 20 them ALL that it
is scarcely necessary to invite to il your par
ticuar attention. Ii is principally as manu-.
inoturos and commerce tend to increase tbe
value Of agricultural productions, and TO ex-
tend their application 10 the wants and COM
forts of society, that they deserve the foster
ing care Of Government.
Looking forward 10 tho psriod, not far dis
tant, whom sinking fund will no longer be roe
quired, the dutiss on these articles Of importa-
ton which cannot come in competition with
our own productions, arc the first that should
engage the attention Of Congress in tho mod
hchtion Of tho tariff OF these, tea and cof-
tro aro tho most prominent; they enter large
ly into the consumption Of tho country, and
have become articles Of necessity 10 all clns-
ses, reduction, therefore, OF tho existing
duties Will he fnli u. a common bonef, bat,
LIKE ell other legislation connected with com;
mercc, 10 be circacious, and mol injurious, il
should be gradual and certain.
Tho public prosperity is evinced in the in
creased revenue arising from the sales Of tho
public lands, and in the steady maintenance of
that produced 10y mposts and tonnage, not
wihs'onding tho additional duties imposedb by
Tho net Of 10Th May, 1923, and the unusual
lmportations in the carly part Of that year.
The balance in the Treasury on tho lst of
January, 1899, wOs FIVE millions nine hundred
and seventy two thousand four hundred and
thirty FIVE dollars and eighty ono cents. Yhe
receipts OF tho current year orc estimated at
twenty -four millions six hundred md two
thousand two hundred and thirty dollars; and
tho expenditures for the same at twonty six
millions one hundred and sixty four thousand
five hundred aud ninety five dollars; lonvng
balance in tho Treasury on the LIST Of january
next, OF four millions four hundred and ten
thousand and seventy dollars nnd eighty one
cents.
There will huve bcon poid, on account Of
the public debt, during the present year, the
sum of twelve millions four hundred and fivo
thousand and hys dollars and eighty cents, re.
ducing the whole debt oftho Government, ON
the first of January next, 10 forty eight mil
lions hvs hundred and rixty,hve thousand four
hundred and Elk dollars aud hfly cents, includ-
ing seven millions Of Eve per cent. stock, sub
&C iibed to the Bank Of the United Staies Tho
payment on account Of the public debt, made
on tho frat Of July last, was cigh, millions
seven hundred and hNeen thousand four hnn.
drsd and si1ty two dollars md eighty seven
cents. u was spprchended that the sudden
Withdrawal Of 20 lnrge sum from tho banks
in which il was deposited, sta tmo Of unusn.
al pressure in tho money market might cause
much injury 20 tho interests dependent on
bank aceomm odation. But this OWL VIVA Who'll.
ly uvericd BY an early anticipation oft al tho
Treasury. aided by the ejudisious nrrang nge,non1
Of tho uiIiecrs Of the bank Of tho ". Ststos
This slate of the finances exhibits tho rs-
sources OF the nsiion in an sspoel highly fat
iering to its industry, and nuspicious Of tho
ability Of Government. In . very short tirns,
10 ex,inguish the public debt. When this
shnll DO done, our population will bo relieved
from aconsidsrobls portion Of its present bur-
thens; and will 6nd not only new motives to
patriotic affection, but additional means for
the display ofindividunl enterprise. - The 6s-
cnl power Of tho States will also DO increased,
and may bo more extensively exertsa in favor
Of education and other public objects; whilo
ample means will remain 10 tho Federal Gov
eminent to promote tho general veal, in all
the modes permitted 20 i,s authority.
After the extinction Of tho public debt,
il 10 not probable ,hnt any adjustment OF
the Tariff, upon principles satisfactory to
TO the People Of .he Union, will until re-
mote period, If ever, leave the Government
without considerable surplus in the treas.
nry, beyond what may DO now required fsy
its current service. AZ then tho period
approaches when tho application Of the
revenue to tho payment Of debt will cease,
tho disposition Of tho surplus, will present
a subject for tho serious deliboroion Of
Congress; and il msy bo fortunate for tho
country that il IL yet 10 be decided. Con-
sidcred in conne1ion with the difficulties
which hsve heretofore attended appropria-
lions for purposes ofin,ernal improvement,
and with those which this experience tells
us will certainly srise, whenever power o.
yer such subjects may bs cxereised by the
Generh, Goyermcnt,it 10 hoped that it may
lead 10 the adoption OF some plan which
will reconcile tho diversified interests Of
the Stn,rs,abd strengthen the bonds which
unite them. Every member Of the Union,
in peace and in war, will be benefited By
Tho improvement OF inland navigation and
tho construction ofhghwsys in the scver-
al States. Lei Us then sndsavor 10 attain
,h,s benefit 10 a mode which will be setip-
factory 10 all. That hitherto adopted has,
by many Of our fellow. ci,izens.be deprs-
Gated ss on infroction Of tho Constitution,
wbilo BY Others i, hes been viewed as mex
pedieDt. All feel that it has been employ
ed a, the expense Of harmony III tho leg
Islatys councils.
To avoid those evils, il appears 10 mo
thu, the most sufe, jus,tnd federal dispos-
iton which could DO made Of the surplus
revenue, would bo its spportlonmcnt among
tho several States according to their ratio
Of representation and should this measure
not be found warranted by tho Constitution,
that j, would bo expcdcnt TO propose to
The States an amendment authorizing it.
regard an appeal TO the source Of power,
in cases Of real doubt, and where its exer-
ciso is deemed indispensable to the gencr-
sl welfare, as among the most socrcd OF
all our obligations. Upon this country,
moro than any other, ,bas,in the providence
nf G. nl hann cast the knecial nnnrdianahin