Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1830-03-02

thau uidy uodSI as liuCu as nc pledSSS VI IAO
friendship of New-England for the West, as
displayed in their support Of Internal I'm
provement; but, when he next introduces
that topic, trust that he will tell us aohen
that friendship commenced, hosO it was bro't
about, and sohy it was established? Before
| leave this topic, i must be permitted to say
that, the true character of the policy now
pursued by the gentleman from Massachu-
sets and his friends, in relation to appropri-
atoms of land and money, for the benefit of
the West. is, in my estimation, very similar
to that pursued by Jacob of old towards his
brother Esau-" it robs them of their birth
right for mess of pettage."
| The gentleman from Massachusetts, in
I abiding % = remark Of NINE. that, before
any disposition could be made of the publick
lands, the National Debt (for which they
stand pledged) must be first paid, took occa-
sion to intimate that the extraordinary. fer
vour which seems to exist in certain quar-
ter [meaning the South, Sir] for the payment
Of the debt, arises from disposition to
toeaken the Ties achich bind the people to the
Union." While the gentleman deals us this
blow, he processes all ardent desire to see
the debt speedily extinguished. He must
excuse me, however, for feeling some dis
trust on that subject until find this dispose
ton manifested by something stronger than
professions. | shall look for acts, decided
and unequivocal acts; for the performance
Of which an opportunity will very soon (if l
am not greatly mistakenly be afforded. Sir,
if were at liberty to Judge of the course
which that gentleman would pursue, from
the principles which he has laid down in re-
lation to this matter, should be bound to
conclude that, he will be found acting with
those with whom it is a darling object TO
prevent the payment of the publick debt.
He tells US he is DESTROYS of paying the debt
because we are under an obligation to dis
charge it." Now, Sir, suppose it should
happen that the publick creditors, with whom
we have contracted the obligation, should
release US from it, so far as TO declare their
willingness to wait for payment for fifty
years to come, provided only, the interest
shall be punctually discharged. The gen.
tleman from Massachusetts will then be re
leased from the obligation which now makes
him DESTROYS of paying the debt; and, let
me tell the gentleman, the holders of the
stock will not only release us from this obi
CATION, but they will implore. nay, they will
even pay US not to pay them. But adds the
gentleman, $50 far as the debt may have an
effect in binding the debtors to the country,
and thereby serving as link to hold the
States together, he would be glad that it
should exist forever" Surely then, Sir, on
the gentlemau's own principles he must be
opposed to tho payment of the debt.
Sir, let me tell that gentleman that the
South repudiates the idea that pecuniary
dependence on the Federal Government is
one of the Legitimate means Of holding the
States together. A monied interest in the
Government is essentially base interest
and just so far as it operates to bind the
feelings of those who are subjected to it to
the Government,-just so far as it operates
in creating sympathies and interests that
would not otherwise exist-it is opposed to
all the principles Of free government, and at
war with virtue and patriotism. Sir, the
link which binds the publck creditors, as
such, to their country, binds them equally to
all governments, whether arbitrary or free.
In free government, this principle of alb
ject dependence, if extended through all the
ramifcations Of society, must be fatal to lib
erty. Already have we made alarming
strides in that direction. The entire class
of manufactures, the holders of stocks, with
their hundreds Of millions of capital, are
held to the Government by the strong link
of pecuniary Interests: millions of people
entire sections of country, interested. or be-
llieving themselves to be so, in the publck
treasure, are bound to the Government by
the expectation Of pecuniary .favours. Il
this system is carried much further, no mar
can fail to see that every generous motive
Of attachment to the couutry will be destroy.
ed, and in its place will spring up those low
groyelling, base and selfish feelings which
bind men to the footstool Of despot by
bonds as strong and as enduring as those
which attach them to free instit utions. Sir
lIwould lay the foundation Of this Govern
ment in the affections Of the People,
would teach them to cling to it BY dispen-
sing equal justice, and above all, by securing
the blessings Of liberty" to themselves and
to their posterity." /.
The honorable gentleman from Massa-
chusetts has gone out of his way TO pass a
high eulogism on the State of Ohio. In the