Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-02-23

preparations for internal improvements in the w
The gentleman from Massachusetts may De nmseii
exceptions; but if he went tor the system before
1926, it is certain that his colleagues did not go
with him. In the session Of 1924 aud '25 however,
Ia memorable ara in the history Of TINS countryJ
Jonderfu change took place in New England jill re-
latol to Western interests. Sir, an extraordinary
union of sympathies and of interests was then eftec
ted which brought the East and the West into close
alliance. The book from which have before read,
contains the first public annuncation of that happy
reconciliation OF conflicting interests, personal ana
political, which brought the East and West togeth'
er, and locked in frnternal embrace the two eat
orators of the East and the vest. Sir, 1t was on
the 18th January, 1895 while the result OF the fresi-
Dental election in the House of Representatives was
still doubtful, while the whole country was looking
with intense anxiety to that Legislative hail. where
the mighty drama was so soon to be acted, that we
saw the leaders of two great parties in the ffouse
and in the nation, stalking sweet counsel together,
and in celebrated debate on the Cumberland road,
fighting side by side for Western interests 1t was
on that memorable occasion that the Senator from
Massachusetts held out the white flag to the West,
aud uttered those liberal sentiments, which he, yes
tcrday, indignantly repudated. Then it was that
that happy union between the members OF the cele-
brated coalition was consummated, whose immediate
issue was President from quarter oi he Union,
with the succession las it supposedly secured to
another. The American SYSTEM, before rude
d.sjonted, and misshapen mass, now assumef form
and consistency. Then it was that it became 1.-THE
settled policy of the Government, that the system
|
city reciprocal of interests, and and dist nbu-
tion of governmental favors-East and West 1.-The
tariff and Internal improvements while the South
| yes sir, the untracticable South, was to be
s'out Of your protection" The gentleman may
boast much as he pleases of the friendship Of New
England for the West, displayed i'll their support
OF internal Improvement; but when he next introdu-
ces that topic, trust that he will tell when that
friendship comm need; how it was brought about,
and why it was established, Before leave this TO-
pic, must be permitted to say, that the true char
actcr of the policy now pursued by the gentleman
from ass achust It's his friends, in relation to
appropriations Of land and money, for the benefit of
the West, rs, in my estimation, very similar to that
pursued by Jacob of old, towards his brother Esau-
at robs them of their br,hright for of pot
| tage."
a remark of m ne, that, before any disposition could
be made of the pu bic lands, the nationa debt flor
which they stand pledged must be first paid, took
cason to intimate, "that the extraordinary fcIvor
which seems to exist in certain quarter lmeaning
the South, sir for the payment of the debt arises
from disposition to weaken the ties which bind the
people to the Union" While the gentleman deals
us this blow, he processes ardent desire to see the
debt speedily extiguished. He must excuse me,
however, for feeling dstrust on that subject,
until find this disposition manifested by something
stronger than professions. shall lock for acts
decided and unequivocal acts for the performance OF
which opportunity will very soon, if ! am not
greatly mistaken, be afforded. Sir, if were at lib
erty to Judge of the course which that gentleman
would pursue from the principles he has laid down in
relation to this natter should be bound to conclude
| that he will be found acting with those with whom
it is darling object to prevent the payment of the
public debt. He tells he DESTROYS of paying TIE
debt, ''beeause We are under obligation TO dis
charge it." Nov, sir, suppose it should happen that
the public creditors, with whom we have contracted
the obligation, should release from it, So far rs to
declare their willingness to wait for payment fifty
years to come provided only, the interest shall be
punctually discharged. The gentleman from Mas
hov
which now makes him dcsirous of paying the debt
and, let me toll the gentleman, the ;c,cc:s Of thu
stock will not only release us from this obligation
but they will impore, nay, they will even pay us not
pay them. But, adds the gentleman, $50 far tn
debt may have effect in binding the debtors to the
n country, and thereby serving link hold tn
States together he would be glad that should exis
forever" Surely them sir, on the gentleman's ow
principles he must be opposed TO the payment of tn
debt. Sir, let me tell that gentleman, that the Sou
repudiates the idea that pecuniary dependence o
the Federal Government is one OF the lcgitmat
means of holding the States together. A moneye
interes: IN the Government Is essentially base in
terest and just far il operates to bind the fee
ipgs of those who subjected to it, the Govern
ment just far it operates creating sympathe
and interests that would not otherwise exist is it OF
posed to all the principles of free government, an
at war with virtue and patriotism Sir, the lin
which binds the public creditors, as such, to thei
country, binds them equally to all governments
whether arbitrary or free. In free governmen
through all the ramcations of society," must be fata
to liberty Already have made alarming stride
in that direction. The entire class of manufacturers
the holders of stocks, with their hundreds of million
of capital, are held TO the Government by the sron
link of pecuniary interests. Millions of people, on
tire sections of country interested, believing them
selves to be so, in the public lands and the publ
treasure, are bound to the Government by the es
pectation Of pecuniary favors. IF this system
carried much further, no man fail TO see tina
every generous motive of attachment to country wi
be destroyed, and in its place will spring up thos
low grovelling, base, and selfish feelings which bin
, men to the footstoo of despot by bonds as stron
and as enduring those which attach them to fire.
Institutions. Sir would lay the foundation of th
Government in the affections Of the people. woul
j teach them to cling to it by dispensing equal ustic,
and, above all, by securing the BLESSINGS of libert
2 to themselves and to their posterity \"
$ The honorable gentleman from Massachusetts ha
gone out OF his way to pass high eulogium on tn
State of Ohio. In the most imprisoned tones of ell
D., oquence, he described her majestic march to great
f ness He told us that, having already left all tn