Western courier. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-07-20

The battle between the Bank and ihe
Government, for it yet RACES. Is, more
properly speaking, a war between the
bankers and the people; and believe me,
there is more at stake in the contest than
the triumph OF man, or the existence of
an institution. 1t is common mistake
to look upon political events as isolated,
occasional, accidental. or entirely inde-
pendent upon each other. The seminal
principle, the efficient cause, the moving
though secret springs. are not Detected
by the merely superficial Observer
This mistake has been made with regard
10 the political events that have lately
agitated, and are now convulsing the
country which have been attributed to
certain men, 10 uncertain accidents, and
do not know what other causes or influ
ences, equally Unsatisfactory, and inade-
quate to explain them. People forget
that men are but instruments, events but
opportunities, and that the essential prib-
ciples of things lie deeper, and are more
vital and enduring. Let US seek to trace
phenomena to their principles.
There has existed in all countries, in
all free countries. at least, a feeling whith
renders the producing or agricultural
class Jealous and distrustful Of those en-
gagged in commercial and pecuniary pur-
suits. Perhaps the first and most natural
division of political partiesis into those
Of town and country. BY some, this mis-
trus,ful feeling has been characterized
as worthy, illiberal. and dangerous
Those who so deem il are bnt shallow
observers mere pretenders to political
philosophy. This sentiment founded.
like all those which are universal and
enduring, in human nature--is of instinc-
tive sasaci,y. and offers to nation one
Of the strongest guarantees for the pre-
servation of its liberty and happiness. |
assert, without hesitation, that the privi,
leges of a free people are not safe in the
hands of the financial classes. Without
meaning any personal disrespect to mer'
chants, many of whom esteem highly,
and whose fourishing existence / deem
indispensable 10 the prosperity of great
nation. affirm, without scruple, that, as
class, they are not so profoundly and
permanently attached to country as
those who are, in manner, fixed and
rooted in the soil. They are not abso-
lu,ely identified with the land which they
inhabit, but are. to a certain extent, citi-
zens of the world. They live on the out,
skirt, the mere edge of the country, and
can readily take to water on the first
danger or alarm. The commercial world,
which embraces in one vast empire the
four continents, with their tributary is
lands, is coextensive with the dominion
of the winds and the waves. Its capi.
tails are London. Amsterdam, Canton,
New-York not Washington or Harris
burg; its thermometer, to use the phrase
Of one of its own orators, is hung up in
the English stock exchange. We owe
our first duty to Foreigners exclaims
Mr.. Biddle. who avowediy takes his cue
from the Barings and the British bank
harlor / am not surprised at the dis
trust of the simple countryman, when
he hears foreign sympathies and stran-
ger influences so ostentatiously proclaim.
ed. "a
The overgrowi fortunes. ton, which
are accumulated IN the lottery Of trade
and speculative adventure, are destruc-
tive of that equality. that happy medoc-
rity, which it is the interest. and should
of course be the object, of republican in"
s,itutions to cherish and promote. The
extensive connections and indiscriminate
foreign intercourse of merchants are fa-
tai, or at least unfavorable, to that ex-
elusive feeling of country, that fixed, 10"
cal attachment called patriotism, which,
however the cant Of modern philaIthro
ply may decry it as but a more expand
ed sel6shness. is the only safe basis ups
on which to erect the edifice Of aational
freedom and happiness. A man should
love his family first, then his country
with an equal ardor if possible af'er
which, if he have apy tenderness to spare.
he can bestow it Upon the world at large.
This is the dictate Of common sense, the
lesson of universal experience teaches.
which, after all in matters of this sor, at
! least, it will ever be found safer to trust
than TO the crude speculations and misty
gsinmerings Of the visionary theorist. -
Neither are the pursuits of commerce
and money.dealins favorable tothe growth
or preservation Of those simple habits,
those homely virtues, those masculine
qualities. which noufish liberty and pro-
mote true and lasting happiness. The
country, sir, the country is the true home
and proper domain ofliherty. That the
ediGce of freedom may endure, its fonn-