Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-08-18

N
check. become interminable, except by the dlsso-
soIut;on Of the Uniun itself. That we have IN
foc, so reversed the estimate is too certain to De
Joub,ed. and the result IS our present distemper-
al and dangerous condition. The cure must
s,or,o,ca in the correction Of the error, and not
m admit we have erred, would be the worst posi-
HE SYMPTOM. it would prove the disease to be
;ncnrabs through the regular and ordinary pro-
,sss of LEGISLATION; and would compel, hnaliy'
resort to Extraordinary, but still trust not oh'y
constitutional, but safe remedies.
| No one would more sincerely rejoice than my
self. to see the remedy applied from the quarter
where it could be most easily and regularly aone.
Ii is the only way by which those VINO tiihS tha'
it is the only quarter from which IT can constltu-
tiona,,y come. can possibly sustain their opinion.
To omit the application BY the General Goyern'
men.. would compel even them to admit thetruth
Of the Opposite opinion, Or force them TO abandon
our political system in despair. while on the other
hand. all their enlightened and patriotic oppo'
uents would rejoice at such evidence Of mohefa
ton and wisdom on the part OF the General GoV-
eminent, as would supersede resort to what they
believe to be the higher powers OF our p"l'uc,aa'
system, as indicating sounder tate OF puo"c
sentiment than has eve, heretofore existed IN any
country, and thus affording the highest possible
assurance of the perpetuation OF our glorious IN
stitutions to the latest generation. For as peo-
ple advance in knowledge, in the same degree
they may dispense with mere artificial rcstIic-
,inns in their government; and we may imagine,
lbut dare not expect to see it.) state OF ntcll-
senee so universal aud high that all the guards
Of liberty NAV be dispensed with, except an en-
lishtened public opinion acting through the right
Of suffrage; but it presupposesa state where eve
nv class and every section of the community are
capable of estimating the effects ofevery measure,
nor only as il may effect itself, but every other
class and section; and Of fully realizing The sub
lime truth. that the highest and wisest policy
consists in maintaining justice and promoting
peace and harmony; and that compared TO these,
schemes of mere gain are but trash and dross.-
fear experience has already proved that we are
far removed from such state, aud that we must
consequently rely on the old and clumsy, but
approved method of checking power IN order to
prevent, or correct abuses; but do trust that,
though far from perfect we are at least So much
so as to be capable of remedying the present dis
order in the ordinary way; aud thus to prove
that with US public opinion is so enlightened, and
our political machine so perfect, as rarely to re-
quire for its preservation the Intervention OF the
power that created it. How is this to be effected?
The application may be painful, but the RENE
dy. conceive, Is certain dHu sihpie' t"e'e
is but one eHrctual cure, an honest reduction OF
the duties to fair system of revenue, adapted
to the just and constitutional wants ofthe govern
,nent. Nothing short Of this will restore the
country to peace. harmony, and mutual affection.
There is already deep and growing conviction
in large section of the couotry. that the impost,
even as a revenue system, is extremely unequal,
and that it IS mainly paid by those who furnish
the means Of paying foreign exchanges of the conn
try. on which it is laid; and that the case is not
varied, taking into the estimate the entire action
Of the system, whether the producer, or consumer
pays in the first instance.
do not propose to enter formally INTO the dis.
cussion Of point SO complex and contested; but
as it has necessarily strong practical bearing on
the subject under consideration. all ITS relations,
cannot pass 1t without few general and brief re-
marks.
To be continued.