Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-08-17
QUINCY. lst July, 1897,
tptlIaans Foster, Esq.,, Boston:

f"'aoW FoSteT, ES4., boston
Dear Your friendly letter of the 2Ist
uii. mas perhaps remained already loo Ionp
unanswered; but when ! received il. had
expressed opinions respecting The present
condition OF our public affairs, in answer To
, 1niu rom some OF my constituents OF the
l2Ih Congressional District, which bave
since been published, and which presume
are as explicit as you may think they OUGHT
TO be at this time, and which will mass for
what they are worth in the community
sui believe II is the duty of every good
cHIZen To contribute, according 10 his ability
toward the forming aud modifying of pubjir
| opinion, because she is more than ever The
queen OF the world; but for the regulation M
my own conduct, long and trying experi.
enee mas Taught me two lessons, though not
s'ways TO square my conduct by them. The
hfsi IS, 10 dIstrust The correctness of nv oyyn
opinions upon every thing prospective and
conJectural-ihe secand, never 10 fIatter NV
sell that my opinions wiiI have any influence
upon The action OF any other human BEING
Thus, IN the present condition of our coun-
try, have very decided opinions upon The
pasi differing, perhaps, considerably from
Yours; certainly differing from those nj a
large majority of the people Of the United
STATES. And as ou- views of the expedien,
ael'on lot me inture, might, in a great de-
gree aepehd upon The Conclusions to which
we have come upon the past il ia inposs;hla
that the measures which ! sbopId decr, ~ .
only effective remedies OF our comnIaint a
should be acceptable 10 the ruling power NJ
The country. sm, and during great mar,
OF my lie have been, in a minority. I, il.
'he business OF the majority to propose and
accomplish measures. II lie too tnucb III
practice OF miDorities 10 expend all their on :
eiSies upon devices 10 GeJgGt The measures of
Inc majority The Question OF right and
prong, So lar as my experience goss. is of
use 10 e''her party only Tor The purpose Of
making professions.
We are now in The midst of nst;on.I
bankruptcy accustomed by the insolvency
Of muithudes OF individuals We are now
,o'u 'hat all ibe banks in the United States
nave suspended specie pdyments-and what
IS 'he suspension ofspeCie payments but set.
llpg the laws Of property al defiance9 III
The President and Directors OF a Rank have
issued million Of bills, promising ts nav Eve
doIiars To The holder Of each and every me of
mem The suspension OF specie Dayments ia
oy one act, the breach Of one million of nro,
,''S ha' ~ thus but fraud upon every
., 'heir Diis: And what difference
10 there between the President and D;rec,ors
OF such bank, and the skilful artist 9, bo en-
graves a bank bill, a fac smile nj the hill
sgneu ny Inc President and Director, of the
Bank, and saves them the trouble of signino
~ oy doing it fer them. The only differences
That Can see in the two Operations is thai
The artist gives evidence Of superior sk IN & |
mpdesiy IL requires more talent |
70 s'gn another mans name, than ones own;
90" ,ne c"unisrieiier does at least his work in
me CaIK' "bhe the suspenders ofsuecie nav
'o,'' .. zen u W The lace Of day, and laugh
II The victims and dupes, who have mi faiib
IN their promises. PU' ''''"
You ask what s to be The remedy for this
faie OF things? There are two Tsmed;ss
,oth 9' ~hich'msy DO practicable. On. ;s
nat me congress Of the United States sbeul9