Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-08-18

tue money WnlCn came into the Urea
sury while Mr. Monroe was presiden
iorty-eight per cent was applied to tn
payment Of the national debt. OF tn
money that came into the treasur,
while Mr.. John Quincy Adams wa
president, forty three per cent was ap
piled the same way. The laws of Is
IL remaining in full force, the balance
Of the debt was paid off during tbs
present administration Under this
administration thirty eight per cent Of
the receipts was applied to that object,
until, as above stated, the debt was Ii
quida,ed. The payment ofthe nation
al debt, then, is one OF the causes OF
the surplus in the treasury.
Had the tariff Of 1923 remained, the
receipts at the custom House would
have been lorty.ive millions at least
during the present year from duties. ~
Notwithstanding the great annual de-
duction in duties. by the operation of
the compromise bill, the receipts are as
large as they over were. Under these
circumstances, the question was agita-
ted, in the beginning ofthe last session
of Congress, what shall be done with
the existing surplus revenue In the
Senate proposition was made TO ex-
pend it in Notifications, &c., This at
first, am sorry to say, was most ia.
vorably received--and the appropria-
ting power was carried TO greater
height than it ever had been before,
under any of our Presidents, in the his
tory of our government. Ii is fact,
that The appropriations made during the
last session amounted nearly to forty
millions of dollars. Those with whom
! acted in opposing this great expendi-
ture of public money--and from the
commencement of the session, held that
it was calculated to destroy our repub-
lican institutions. Many of the appro-
priations made added greatly TO the
patronage ofthe government, and were
thereby more Objectionable to me, in
creasng the number OF those stipenda
ries who are fed from the toll and Ia.
Dor Of others, and who not unfrequent.
ly secure their preiermont by surren-
der of their indepenpence.
Had the proposition for betting the
frontier, inland and maritime, with for.
ti6cations, succeeded to the extent
many had appeared to wish, large
standing armies would have been quar-
tered on the people, and the foundation
laid for the future appropriation ofnu-
merous millions. This is not all. The
structure ofour goyernmentwould soon
have been changed. History proves
this observation true. Standing ar
mics, luxury, and corruption, are the
causes assigned by historians for the
decadence of free governments but if
this was not the case, would ask,
what necessity is there for expensive
military preparations | answer there
is none. Our strength is great at this
time. 1t is every day increasing, and
in little time, long before we could
surround the country with bricks and
mortar, we shall be in n situation TO
laugh to scorn all the military relian.
ces of our foes, should it be our unlor-
tunate lot TO have such. have ever
considered it wise to lortify our princi-
pal seaports, and TO have sundry arsen-
ais, &c. through the country; but ]
think it more safe to rely on a rampant
Of brave men, in time Of danger, than
on Chinese Wall around the country,
however thick and high.
Those who will make themselves ac-
quainted with the appropriations made
at the last session Of Congress, before
the public feeling urged the deposite
bill through, will be satisfied how ne
ces,ary it was to pass it. For my
part, have ever considered that the
best administration which was the most
sparing in the exercise OF the appro-
priating power; which, seeking no and
from the extravaganza, splendor, and
pomp ofts legislation, depended main
iy on the affections Of the people for
support. Such an administration en-
courages economy, the proper correct
i've to public and private proflgacy,
and holds 10 a strict accountability the
public servants.
The deposite bill returns to the State
the money received from the people OF
the State, over and above what the
necessities of the general government
required. This is strictly just. 1.-THE
bill receive the support from the peo-
pie, which it is hoped it will, it will put
stop to the system of internal inn
provement by the general government
which was carried at the late session
of Congress to most alarming extent
1t will cut up by the roots those demo
ralizing speculations which have ex'
listed over great portion Of the conn-
try to such an extent, (said member
on the floor Of Congress, as 10 conrer'
the whole country into a great gamo1t,ng
shop, or words to that effect; sPecula'
HLrI