Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-03-11

But see, sir, how the Secretary's I" experiment
has affected the interest of these persons. On
the one hand, they can commence no new ope-
rations on their own account, and other and
richer persons will not build houses, in the pre-
sent state of things sa that these mechanics are
out of employment; and, on the other hand, no.
body buys, at fair and usual prices, the houses
which they have already built; but they are O.
bliged to sell them to capitalists, or others, at
great loss AT the same time, therefore, that
they are deprived of employment tor the pre-
sent and the hope of it for the future, they are
subjected, also, to great sacrifices in the earn
ings of former years.
These sir, are plain matters of fact, and they
are manifesty the results OF the measures OF
Government; and have not these mechanics,
then, right to complain2 Ought they to hold
their tongues, and starve, in order to enable the
Secretary to try his experiment! Are they 10
be the willing victims of such fantastcal ana
arrogant schemes? No, sir, that is not their no.
ton of patriotism and duty. They think the
Government was established for them, and the
rest of the people of the United States, for their
protection, security, and happiness. They think
it not subject for the practice OF every raw
conceit every prescriptions theory, every I'm
pulse of arrogant and self-sufhcient love OF
change Sir, they are not the dupes of the Sc
cretary's experiment; and if they can help It,
they do not intend to be its victims. They know
full well in what purpose these measures orlSlna-
ted, which have since obtained the name OF the
experiment" They think they have right to
demand of Congress not to sanction such pur-
poses to their ruin. As American citizens. they
demand the shelter of the laws; taxpayers
to Government, they demand security tor their
industry; and they protest, solemnly protest-ln
their name sir in their behalf, in their presence,
now enter their protest-against these unneces-
sary and wanton measures, which destroy their
property, break up their employ ments, and re
L i \ hnrr
gary!
MIR. President, the Senate will perceive, that,
in one of the resolutions, this meeting of me-
chanics expressed their hope that the Gov
ernor of Pennsylvania would adhere to his for
mer opinions, and lend his cOuntenance and
support to the restoration of the currency, by
rechartering the Bank. In this hope they have
been disappointed. They feel it to be great
misfortune certainly, that they do not come
here sustained by the government of the State
at home No doubt sir, it is great misfortune
at least, agree with them in thinking it SUCH
They most assuredly had expected different
result to the Governors deliberations In add
ton to their intense Individual interest in this
great question: they feel an interest, also in the
public works of the State, which have come, or
may come to stop, IN consequence OF the
pressure fthe times although 1t is true, perhaps,
that they have not 50 direct an interest as their
fellow citizens Of Lancaster county, whose me-
mortal has just been presented since the great
western railway is 70 penetrate that important
county from end to end. refer to the proceed
ings of Governor Wolf sir, with entire respect,
personal and public; but cannot help express
sing my deep regret at the views which he seems
to have adopted would even hope that the
subject has not yet passed beyond his reconsi-
deration, because am fully aware OF the weight
and influence of Pennsylvania on this great
question. Yet, sir | see nothing in this proceed
ing to alter my own view in the slightest degree.
The state of things is not changed. The pro-
mitigation of such opinions by the Chief Magis-
trate of Pennsylvania, is, in my Judgment, I'M
Fortunate because its only effect is to prolong
the sufferings ofthe country by postpOning the
only adequate remedy.
Sir, the agitatons Of the country are not to be
hushed by authority. Opinions, from however
high quarters, will not quiet them. The cond-
ton of the Nation calls for action for measures
for the prompt interpositiOn of Congress; and
until Congress shall act, be it sooner or be II Ia
ter, there will be no content, no repose, no res
toraton of former prosperity. Whoever suppO-
ses sir, that he, or that any man, can quiet the
discontents, or hush the complaints of the peo
pie. by merely saying. "peace, be still" mis-
takes, ShOckingy mistakes, the real condition Of
things. 1t is an agitation OF Interests, not OF
opinions; a severe pressure on mems property
and their means of living, not barren contest
ABOUT dOSTaCI Sel]llnleH(S. EVEN, ST. Tie FOiCe
of party often so sovereign, is not of power to
subdue discontents and stfle complaints. The
People, sir feel great interests to be at stake,
and they are rousing themselves to protect those
interests. They consider the question to be,
whether the Government is made for the Peo-
pie, or the People for the Government. They
hold the former of these two propositions, and
they mean to prove It,
Mr. President this measure Of the Secretary
has produced a degree Of evil that cannot be
borne Talk about it as we will, it cannot be
borne A lettering state of credit, cramped
MEANS loss of property, and loss of employment,
doubts Of the condition of others doubts OF their
own condition. constant fear of failures and new
explosions, an awful dread of the future-sir,
when a consciousness of all these things accom-
panies man, at his breakfast, his dinner, and
his supper; when it attends him through his
hours, both Of labor and rest when it even dis
turbs and haunts his dreams, and when he feels
too, that that which is thus gnawing upon him
is the pure result of foolish and rash measures
of Government, depend upon it he will not bear
it. deranged and disordered currency, the
ruin of occupation, distress for present means,
the prostration of credit and confidence and all
this without hope of improvement or change, is
,ob info n m