Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1836-04-07
WAsH,SorON, March 81.

WAsHlN0rON, March FL.
III. Public Londs-what will be done with
Vhem seems now to be a question of great
importance. Since the French question has
gone, and the fires Of the anti slavery debate
have been well nigh extinguished, this ques'
ton has come beftre the Senate 18th all the
interests which its importance demands. Al
ready has It assumed q political appearance
Already have the dominant party arranged
themselves against its discussion. Already
have they, 10 the spirit of power which grasp'
both at the purse and the sword, sent tOrif
their edicts against the distribution 81 the P"0
lie lands in the Old states. Already have theS
commanded the pensioned presses in the o'o
states tOraise their voice like trumpet agGt"S'
distribution-against the danger of having our
national treasury filed with twelve. twenty
or even thirty millions Of dollars A"c." ~
have the partv universal in the Senate 'c't0
against bringing the subject up tor o'S T"n Rm.
Already has Benton, in behalf Of the a"
rem party ia the Senate. sworn a" e" nar,
against the bill, which, he says 'n"' . Nv" .,,,sr.
ing the power, they will use u ~ ~. .. ~.
most, and defeat the bill positively ana INC aus
cussion if possible. - ,h.u
have not already put the question to them
selves-why are the party SO so''cHOns 10
check discussion? Why, with m'ser's grasp
do they wish to keep the Treasury unoer
their control! Why are the Senators from
the old states opposed to the BILL "ne" " IS
to be of such immense Importance u theiF
constituents
Ianswer that they are Determined 10 c"ecA
discussion upoD this question, as they nave
dams upon all Others Of a national character.
involving party interests-because discussion
eplightens the people, and places the naked
truths of patriotism before them in such
light that they may be seen by all. 1t unrav-
els the Gordian knot of party intrigue, and
opens the sources of office-hoIding corruption.
It convnces a large class Of men who have
established themselves in the doctrines of the
power party, that they are wrong; and more
over, that they have been attached TO men
instead of principles. Being honest men, they
will not pin their faith to the sleeves OF any
man, or attach themselves 10 the principles
Of any man-when they do it at the greater
expense of sacrificing their own principles
Spread the unvarnished truth before them
Open to them the Treasury of our country
narrate the expenses ofour government-con-
vince them of the amount Of the surplus rev.
enue, and the dangers of having SO much mon
ey in the hands Of any party. however hon
orable that party may be. Spread out. also,
the natural and the actual temptation before
the people. Let all this, and much more Of
a like character be done, and no man need
fear that this unnatural administration, and
its natural offspring of crooked men and
crooked things would longer blind the people
TO their true interests. All history, IT full and
free discussion were allowed, would spread
before them, in manner not 10 he msunder-
stood. the danger Of having too much power
Sra s,e
that power extended to the control Of the
Treasury. Discussion would remind them Of
the fiscal corruptions of Rome when the poor
er sort of plcbians used to sell their votes to
the public officers, until Julius Cesar depriv-
ed them of the right of electing their own
magistrates. 1t would remind them Of the
days of yore, when Cassius, Longinus, and
Seneca lost their lives, and caused cOnspira-
cy, even because they were ia the possession
Of wealth belonging to the state. History is
full Of examples Of the danger Of having the
national treasury too full. In republic
where elections are annual, or where they Oc.
cur 50 frequently as in our own country, the
danger is four fold compared with the mon
arches of the world, in her earliest or latest
days. There men become supine, weary.
tired of opposition. They sink down into a
forgetfuness Of their wrongs, and become
contented under oppression. A u excitement
is dead, because all motive to action is extinct.
Here we have periodical elections. which
bring a periodical fever with them. Men are
dependent upon the people to be kept in pow
er. A good part of their administrations is
spent therefore, in corrupting class Of per-
sons, Oow minded citizens, mostly foreigners,
who are willing to sell their votes to the high
est bidder. The political elements, therefore,
Ann Ln.>% coruf. otlS, T., ~ ntiNn
Here, then, lies the secret Of the danger
The party in power have the purse-strings.-
The treasury is full and overlooking. They
are opposed to emptying the treasury for ma
tiona! purposes, because they want the moaey
Tor party purposes. They are solicitous al
Keeping the people ignorant ofthe full amount
OF the surplus revenue, because the people
would not rest contented when informed oil
the fact. The Presidential election is at hand
parties are Organizing-mSney is wanted
and Uncle Sam is to be the treasurer.
These are facts which must be evident Il
every mind that looks to our national con
Germs with desire to sec things as they are
Will the people Of the old states submit t.
have their interests thus bartered away
Will they let the treasury lay open, to b'
drawn from by politicians for political pur
poses? will they silently permit their Sena
tors to vote against Mr.. CIay's Land Bill
when the passage OF that Bill will do SO muct
for the internal improvenents-for the public
schools-for thousand important institution.
of usefulness and benevOlence Will the
citizens of the Old Thirteen" be submissive
spectators, when their own money is thus
robbed from them? Will not the new states,
even, consent to just distribution Of the ma
tiOnal wealth?
Let the people Of the whole country exam.