Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-09-13

for that purpose, it appears most proper
that the deposites should be withheld
Until the amount can be collected from
the banks, Treasury notes may be tenn
porarily issued, to be gradually redeem
ed as it is received.
am aware that this course may be
productive of Inconvenience to many OF
the States. Relying upon the acts OF
Congress. which held out to them the
strong probability, if not the certainly,
of receiving this instaIment, they have
in some instances adopted measures
with which its retention may seriously
intefere. That such a condition OF
things should have occurred is much to
be regretted. 1t is not the least among
the unfortunate results of the disasters
of the times and it is for Congress to
devise fit remedy, if there be one
The money being Indispensable to the
wants of the Treasury, it is difficult to
conceive upon what principle ofJustlce
or expediency its application to that OBJ
;sct can be avoided. To recall any
nortiors of the sums already deposited
with the States, would be more incon-
venient and less efficient. TO burden
the country with increased taxation,
when there is in fact large surplus
revenue, would be unjust and unwlse !;
to raise money by loans, under such
circumstances, and thus to commence
a new national debt, would scarcely be
sanctioned by the American People.
The plan proposed will be adequate
10 all our fiscal operations during the
remainder of the year. Should 1t be
adopted, the Treasury, aided by the
ample resources of the country, will be
able to discharge, punctually, every
obligation. For the future, all that IS
needed will be caution and forbearance
in appropriations which the dlmunition
of the revenue requires, and which the
complete accomplishment of great for.
wardness of many extensive national
undertakings renders equally consist
ent with prudence and patriotic llber-
atty.
The preceding suggestions and rec
concentrations are submitted, IN the
belief that their adoption by Con-
press will enable the Executive Dep
artment to conduct our fiscal concerns
with success, so far as their manage
ment has been committed to it. Whist
the objects and the means proposed to
attain them are within its constitutional
powers and appropriate duties, they will
at the same time, it is hoped, by their
necessary operation, afford essential
aid in the transaction of individual con-
Germs, and thus yield relief to the peo-
pie at large in a form adapted to the
nature of on: Government. Those
who look to the action Of this Govern
mont for specific aid to the citizen to
relieve embarrassments arising from
losses by reyulsons in commerce and
credit, lose sight OF the ends for which
it was created, and the powers with
which it is clothed. 1t was establish
cd to give security TO us all, in our law
full and honorable pursuits, under the
lasting safeguard of republican lnstitu-
tons. 1t was not intended to confer
special favors on individuals, or on
any classes of them to create sys-
TENS of agriculture, manufactures, or
trade; or to engage in them, either
separately or in connection with lndl'
vidual citizens or organized assocIa-
tons. If its operations were to be dl.
rected for the benefit of any one class,
equivalent favors must, IN justice, be
extended to the rest and the attempt
TO bestow such favors with an equal
hand, or even to select those who
should most deserve them. would new
er be successful. All communities arc
apt to look to Government for too
much. Even in our own country,
where its powers and duties are so
strictly limited, we are prone 10 do so,
especially at periods Of sudden ombar.
rassment and distress. But this ought
not to be. The trainers Of our excel
lent Constitution, and the people who
approved it with calm and sagaclous
elaboration, acted at the time on a
sounder principle. They wisely judged
that the less Government interleres
] with private pursuits, the better for the
general prosperity. 1t is not its legiti-
mate object to make men rich, or &c
repair, by direct grants of money OF
legislation in favor of particular pur-
suits, losses not incurred in the public
service. This would be substantially
10 use the property of some for the
benefit of Others. But its real duty
that duty, the performance of which
makes a good Government the most
precious Of human bIessings-is TO en-
act and enforce system of general
laws commensurate with, but not eX-
ceeding, the objects of its establish
ment and to leave every citizen and
d every interest, TO reap, under It's be-
nign protection, the rewards of virtue,
q industry, and prudence.