Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-03-14

SION, DISCRIMINATION, and political intrigue are the
hrst essays OF Its infant strength and yet we are
told that tins is not dangerous institution! We
are told that It's concerns better managed now,
than they ever before and that all those
magnificent designs, alluded to- have been long since
lad ASIDE and forgotten What security have we
thot these things arc SO, that thoy will con-
tmue so Does no; this skifu management we
hear so much of depend the breath OF single
MANI Suppose he wercto be displaced by death to-
morrow, and some unshjful inancicr placed in his
stead-nlght not the whole system be thrown once
into confusion. And when did men who had the con-
troll OF the moned of an empire, ccnfne their
unlimited power to mere financial operations And
are the lives the liberties, and the property of the
people TO be made dependent the transient breath
of tra mortal Or are they to be entrusted 10 that
unknown and irresistible arstocracy, whose designs
as secret as the council of ten" and remorseess
the "holy inquison."
Fellow citizens, you hesitate for moment,
as to the course you ought to take this important
subject Many have been sold over to perdon-many
nave gwen to the "cnk of Mammon's box" most ra-
Paclpus ear-bnt you are yet neutrality-suspicious.
touched by the golden wand of that seducing Mercury
Let your prayer then ever be- "givc to live under
any despotism but that which springs from the COM
mand of money! for it is the base and unprnc-
pied of all ="
But we forbear longer to dwell on this subect-what
we have already portrayed only the beginning of
sorrows-and we have alluded to them in this place
merely because they form part Of that outline Of our
political history, which have undertaken define
You all remember fellow citizens, the artificial life
and vgor that was given to trade and agriculture by
the restoration of peace Many of you doubt expe-
renced the evils of that unnatural excitement and bear
in lively remembrance the assembage of folly, pre-
sumption and extravaganza that followed in the process
sion of our late unprecedented prosperity the blind
practices and blending passions of speculation in the
commercial world, with the shoal of osentaous ooe-
ries and sensual vices which the sudden influx of wealth
let IN on farmers and yeomanry.
Such spirit of wild speculation had seized on the
minds OF the people, that the veriest cobber his last
was dreaming of wealth and splendor. Vast estates
were to be made IN day, or an hour by lucky turn
IN the wheel of fortune-no bounds were put TO that
reckless disposition which seeks wealth by every path
but the plain and regular path of honest industry and
honest fame Now fellow citizens, it is established
principle OF political science attested by the experience
OF history that the sober and regular habits of the peo
pie cannot be broken up without a serious injury to
the moral sense When their minds have become
famlarsed to the disgraceul secrets of fraud and folly
OF unprlnclped vanity in expanding and desperate
speculation in retrieving, they lose that delicate sensi-
blty, that scrupuous regard to justice and moral
Obligation, which characterize their sound and heahul
condition.
As necessary consequence of that wild speculation
which begun with the peace the morals of the people
were corupted--and further consequence of that
eager search after wealth, by any and every MEANS all
constitutional barriers forgotten dsregarded-
Whatever aids and stimuants the government might
give TO this spirit of extravaganza esteemed by the
many as right and proper. Utility and expediency
alone the watchwords of the ruling party. The
hood-gates of latudinous Interpretation thrown
wide open and it soon became the established prnc
pie of government that congress might do lust as
they pleased, provided it intended for the general
welfare"
The bank rapidly extended its power and influence
by the mnutest ramihcatons into every part of the
Union tariff of protection devised to foster the
manufactures at the expense of the planter, and sys
tenn of internal improvements provided an an OUT
let for the immense treasures thus fraudueny accum-
lated. These three essential parts of the American
systematic heart--the veins and the arteries soon
brought that gigantic scheme vigorous maturity and
conferred on IL an irresistible power.
Few men could be found of sufficient strength and
virtue to resist their inlucncefew who were not
subject degree to the control of these govern
mental engines of fraud corruption and oppression
These abuses of internal legislation attained their
height, during the late administration of Mr.. Adams.
I" If had felt a lingering attachment (sad Mr.
Hamilton of South Carolina, to the system of internal
improvements, the events of the last session US2Sl
would have effectuay cured of every such predi-
lection because they of character calculated TO
satisfy all who Interested in the abuses that
rs n scheme of bribery; compendous, yet comprehen-
sive; minute yet ,chOtesome 1t is altogether unmatch
ed in the discoveries of modern corruption" A COM
mittee of congress declared, that the tariff system is
fired tate-because the duties from which revenue
is derived not imposed for the purpose of revenue
but for the protection of national industry against
foreign competition; and these cannot and ought not to
be repealed, because the tariff and internal improve
mens constitute American SYSTEM" The partialitv
and injustice which pracsed under this system;
the dstust and jealousy which excited filed the
hearts of many patriots with gloom and sadness they
had already begun to despair of the republic and were
then medating severation of the Union.
The fundamental and distinctive features of a con-
federacy they said have been merged into consoida-
ted government. 1t matters not under what pretext
the internal and domestic legislation of the federal
government be exercised, whether it be by taxes u-
justly wrung from one portion, to build up wooen
mandatory in one place, To dig canal or TO con-
sruct road in another it equally the effective
security of representative responsibility and of const
tutiona sanction THE gOrerent Of This country said
another who well knew its nature and tendency is not
in The executive. resides in despoc sectional majority
of both houses
We ask you, fellow-citzens to ponder well over