Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-09-15

plies To tue general markcf. must, from
the nature OF things in reference to the
tariff. be in conflict. Till then, we
cease to raise the great staples. cotton.
rice and tobacco. for the same markets,
and till we can find some other profit
able investment for the immense a.
mount of capital and labor now c,n.
ployed in their production. the present
unhappy aud dangerous conflict cannot
terminate unless with the prohibitory
system itself.
In the mean time, while idly wait
ing for ITS termination through its own
action, the progress Of events IN ano-
Their quarter is rapidly bringing the
contest TO an immediate and decisive
issue. We are fast approaching pc.
Rod very novel in the history of ma.
items. and bearing directly and pow
criuliy on the point under considera-
tion, the final payment Of long stand
ing funded debt; period that cannot
be scnsib,y retarded. or the natural
consequences Of il eluded, without
proving disastrous TO those who NAV
attempt either, If not to the country
itself. When it arrives. the 90
vernment would find itself in posses.
sion Of surplus revenue of SIO,OOO,-
600 or Sic ,000.0Oo. if not previously
disposed Of, which presents the import
ant question what previous disposition
ought to he made; a question which
must press urgently FOR decision at the
very next session Of Congress. IL
cannot be delayed longer. without the
most distracting and dangerous oonse-
qucnces.
The honest and obvious course is, TO
prevent the accumulation Of the sur
plus in the treasury, by timely and
ijudicious reduction oil the irnposts; and
thereby TO leave the money in the
pockets Of those who made il, aud
from whom it cannot be honestly or
cOnstitutionaly taken, unless required
by the fair and legitimate wants Of
the government. II, neglecting a dis
position SO obvious and Just, the 20
vernment should attempt TO keep up
the present high duties, when the no
ney was no longer wanted. or to dis
pose of this immense surplus by en-
Iarsins the the old, or deyising new
schemes Of appropriations. or finding
that TO be impossible. it should adopt
the most dangerous. unconstitutional,
and absurd project ever devised by
any government. if dividing the sur.
plus among the States, "a project which.
II carried INTO execution. could not fail
to create an antagonist interest be-
tween the states aud General Govern
ment. on all questions Of appropria-
tons, which would certainly end in
reducing the latter to mere office Of
collection and distribution either Of
these modes would DO considered by
the section sufferisg under tho present
high duties. fixed determination To
! Pcrpetuats forever what il considers
the present unequal. unconstitutional,
and oppressive burden and from that
momcBt. II would cease 10 look 10 the
General Government for relief This
deeply interesting period. which must
prove 80 disastrous should a wrong di
rectiOn be given, bat so fortunate and
glorious should right one, IL Just at
hand. The work mus: commence at
/ the next session, as have stated. or
be lett undone, or nj least be badly
done. The succeeding session would
be too short and too much aCitated bv
the Presidential contest, 10 afford the
requisite leisure and calmncss, and the
one succeeding would find the country
IN the midst OF the crisis. when IL would
DO too late to prevent an accumulation
OF the surplus, which hazard nothing
IN saying. judging from the nature of
men and government. IL once permit
ted To accumulate, would create an in
terest strong enough tO perpetustc i:
self, supported as u would be by others.
40 numerous and powerful and thus
would pass away = moment never 10
be quietly recalled 50 precious. II
properly used, tn tighten the public
burder--to equaliZc tie action Of the
Sovernmcnt-iO restore harmony ard
praoe-and to present 10 The world the
lilus'fious example, which could not
i1tl to prove most favorable to thc
great cause Of liberty every whereof
nation the freest and ~ the same
time the best anil most chesply govern
ed--cf the highest earthly blessing az
tho least possible sacrifice.
As the disease will not, then. heal
itscif,Wc are brought To the question:
can n remedy bc applied, and, II 80,
what ought u 60 W.
10 answer ~ the negative. would
hc ~ assert that orr Union has utterly
il''cd ard that the opinicr 40 com
mon before The adoption ~ our Con.
s'iintion, that free government could
not not To- practically extended over
large country. WIS vbrrect. And
that ours lad been DESTROYED by giving
q limits :" great, as 10 comprehend
not only dissiml.ar, but ,ffecOnciles.