Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-05-03

ths following curious article-curious, because
Of the FREQ and liberal opinions of this country
and its late chief magistrate, expressed by thoso
who live beyond the reach of our home partiali-
ties and preiudices. BY the " farewell message"
ofM 3i-but the message on the opening of
Congress- in December last;-
From the London True Sun.
The farewell message ofthat fine, strong
headed old fellow, to. whom the people ofthe
United States have sonfded the chief but
responsible management of their affairs, &C.
cupies no inconsiderable space in our COL
umns to-day. By few things could they be
better occupied. Andrew Jackson is APP
preaching the close of his political career
in the same spirit in which he commenced it.
When volunteer boy, in the war Of inde-
psndence, he was taken prisoner. Some
aristocratical puppy who commanded the
Tarty endeavored to make servant of his
captive, but neither threats, blows, nor
wounds, could bend the youth to the mental
occupation which his captor endeavored to
impose on him. And from that time to
this he has never fnched from the mante-
nance of his own dignity, and that of his
country, and Of the cause Of democratical
government. His last message TO con-
gress is worthy of the sturdy and nerv-
Gus intellectual character which he has ever
evinced.
The people Of Europe should "read, mark,
learn, and inwardly digest these trans-at-
antic documents. They will always re-
pay the study. Only think of country
in which the greatest embarrassment of GO
vernment arises from the large erccss Of
the rerenne over the expenditure, in which
it is a serious difficulty how to dispose of the
Treasury surplus and prevent the future ac-
emulation. This sort Of evil is new thing
under the sun. 1t should be shouted in the
ears of the Conservative peers and parsons,
who tell the operatives their horrd after-dn-
ner stories about American democracy. 1t
should be blazoned before the eyes Of the
aristocratical wings, who fear the country
would be ruined by an extension of the fran
chise. 1t should be recorded on the title
page Of the inquiries of the commissioners
into the condition of two millions and half
Of Irish beggars. 1t should be commented
upon in the Kings speech at the opening of
the approaching session Of parliament.
Why, the fact is perfectly astounding. This
it is for people to govern themselves, instead
Of being ruled by rapacious aristocracy
which feeds upon church and state, devour-
ing annual millions of taxation, and nation
al credit by hundreds of millions sterling.
This is the fruit of popular ignorance and
instability, and of all the alleged unfitness OF
the many for even sharing in the free APP
pointment Of representatives,. We have OF
ten been told to wait the result OF
the experiment of popular government in
America. We have waited. Here is a
visible consequence which the advocates OF
corruption and oligarchy will find hard 10
rail away. 1t comes home to the concep-
tons of large class of English politicians.
1t is something practical and tangible; very
tangible; 4l,723,959 dollars Of overplus to
be refunded. When shall we hear Chan
fcelor Of the Exchequer lamenting the in.
convenient productveness Of taxation
At first It seems scarcely less marvel.
lous that there should be difficulty as to
what taxes shall be taken off. so as to effect
a reduction Of revenue. But this vanishes
when we remember what American taxa
ton is, and that it is chiefly derived from the
duties levied on foreign manufactured COM
modiIies, for the supposed advantage ofther
own manufacturers. Here we find one OF
those sinister class interests at work which
belong to democracy as well as arisiocracy,
though they are not allowed to become so
venomous. The Americans have their co.,
ton laws as feeble counterpart to our corn
laws. 1t is true they do not levy dollar
where our landlords levy pound but the
principle is the same. Both are Interior
ences with the laws of nature for the profit
Of monopoly and The robbery of industry.
They have also further advantage, in at
least partial perception oftheir error; their
tariff is in graduated course of reduction,
while our corn laws remain in all their enor-
nifty. No argument seems likely to shake
them, unless it be that of failing crops, riots,
and ncendiarism. The command and
efficiency of our standing army are left in
Tory hands, as if to handle that argument,
whenever it shall come, with less squeall-
ishness.
The long discussion, in the Presidents
me ssage, of the mischiefs which America
suffers, and has suffered, from the banking
system, is well worth attention. 1t would
clear the benches of the House of Commons
of all but the sleepers; except, perhaps,
Colonel Thompson, Mr.. Hume, and some
two or three others, who are "curious in
such matters" But the people should look
into it. Democracy was never less UNDER
stood, than by those who used 10 deprecate
its tendency to ignorant and frothy decla-
nation.
The President recommends repeal Of
the salt duty, and the complete immunity
from taxation of all kinds of fuel and pro.
visions. The labor interest is recognized
as the first claimant. Such is the conse-
quence ofi's being proportionably represent
ted. To "work for all and pay for alp must
be its lot wherever that is not the case.
There is no interest but dares to compete
with it, and completes successfully, where
legislatures are manufactured out of privie-
ged classes, instead ofbcing the delegates OF
the entire community. The American
Postmaster General recommends, through
the President, reduction of twenty per
cent. on the carriage of letters. In the
United States, the post Office is not made a
profit Of by the government. As various
improvements facilitate transmission, and
dimibish its cost, tho public reaps the adj.
vantage. The utility of this plan, for all
L