Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1837-09-23

mus yieid relief tn the people at large III form
adapted TO the nature Of our Observation-Disclosures
who look to the action of this Government for SPEC
clhc aid to the citizen, TO relieve embarrass-
ments arising from losses by revulsions in commerce
and credit, lose sight of the ends for which it was
created, ann the powers with which it is clothed.
II was established to give security to all, in
lawful and honorable pursuits, under the lasting
safeguard of republican institutions.
fwas not intended to confer special favors on
INDIVIDUALS, or OH any classes of them; to create
systems OF agriculture, manufactures, or trade,
% engage In them, either enaratev il caaaac-
ton with individual citizens or organized asso-
Citations. If its operations were TO be directed for
the oeneht of any one GLASS; equivalent avors must,
III JUSTICE be extended TO the rest; and the attempt
70 oestow such favors with an equal hand, or even
to select those who should most deserve them, would
never be successful. All communities are apt TO
look to Government for too much. Even in our
! own country: where it's powers and duties are &c
strictly limited. we are prone TO do so, especially
at periods of sudden embarrassment and distress.
But this ought not to be.-The trainers of our ex-
callent Constitution, and the people who approved
itwlth calm and sagacious elaboration, acted at
the time on sounder principle. They wisely
Judged that the less Government nterferes with
private pursuits, the better for the general prosper
| i.y. 1t isnot its legitimate object to make men
rich, or to repair, by direct grants of money le
g'satIon in favor of particular pursuits, losses
not incurred i'll the public service. This would be
substantially to use the property of some for the
benefit of others.
But its real duty-,hat duty, the performance
OF which makes good government the most
precious oil human blessings TO enact and en-
lorce system of general laws commensurate with,
but not exceeding, the objects of its establishments
and to leave every citizen and every interest
70 reap, under its benign projections, the re-
wards OF virtue, industry, and prudence. cam
not doubt that this, as on all similar occasions
the Federal Government will find its agency most
conducive to the security and happiness OF the peo
pie, when limited TO the exercise of its conceded
powers. innever assuming, even for a we'll meant
OBJECT, such powers as were not designed to be
ferred upon il, we shall in reality do most for the
general welfare.
10 avoid every unnecessary interference with
the pursuits of the citizen, will result in more ben
ent than TO adopt measures which could only assist
limited interests, and eagerly, but perhaps nat
urally sought for, under the pressure of temporary
circumstances. If, therefore, refrain from sug-
costing to Congress any specific plan for regulating
the exchanges OF the country; relieving mercan-
tile embarrassments: or interfering with the ordi-
nary operations Of foreign or domestic commerce
1t Is from conviction that such measures are not
within the constitutional province. of the General
Government, and that their adoption would not
promote the real ana permanent welfare OF those
they might be designed TO aid.
The difficulties and distresses Of the times, tho
unique stionably great, are limited in their extent
and cannot be regarded as affecting the permanent
prosperity of the nation. Arising in great de-
gree, from the transactions OF foreign and domes-
tic commerce, il is upon them that they have chief
ly fallen. The great agricultural interest has, in
many parts of the country, suffered comparatively
little and, as if Providence intended to display the
magnifcence Of its goodness at the moment OF our
greatest need, and in direct contrast TO the evils
casoned by the waywardness or men, we have been
blessed throughout our extended territory with
season of health and uncommon fruitfuness. The
proceeds of our great staples will soon furnish the
means of liquidating debts at home and abroad;
and contribute equally to the revival ofcommercial
activity, and the restoration Of commercial credit.
The banks established avowedly for its support,
deriving their profits from it, and resting under OBJ
legations to it which cannot be overlooked, will feel
at the necessity and justice ri uniting their
energies with those of the nerchantile interest,"
The suspension ofspecie payments, at such time
and under such circumstances as we have lately
witnessed, could lot be other than a temporary
measures; and wo scarcely err in believing
that the period must arrive when all that are
solvent will redeem their issues in gold and silver
Dealings abroad naturally depend on resource and
prosperity at home. II the debt of our merchants
has accumulated, their credit is impaired, these
are fluctuations always incident TO extensive or
extravagant mercantile transactions. But the uti-
mate security of suci, obligations does moi admit of
question. They are guaranteed by the resources
of a country, the fruits of whose industry afford
abundant means of amble liquidation, and by the
evident interest ofeach merchant to sustain a'cfed
1t, hitherto high, by promptly applying these means
for its preservation.
| deeply regret that events have occurred which
REQUIRE me ask your consideration of such serious
topics ] could have wished that in making nv
first communication TO the assembled representa- |
,iyes of nv country, had nothing to dwell upon
bu, the history other unalloyed prosperity. Since
it is otherwise, we canonly feel more deeply the
responsibility of the respective trusts that have
been confdedt TO U.S. and, under the pressure Of diff
iculties, unite i'll invoking the guidance and aid of
the Supreme Ruler ofnations, and in lnboring with
jealous resolution to overcome the difficulties by
which we environed.
II is under such circumstances, high gratifica-
tion to know by long experience, that act for
people to whom the truth, however unpromising,
can always be spoken with safety; for tho trial Of
whose patriotism no emergency is too severe, and
who are sure mover 10 desert public flnctionary
honestly laboring for the public good. 1t seems
lust that they should receive, without delay, any
aid in their embarrassments which your delibera-
tons can afford Coming directly from the midst
of them, and knowing the course of events in ey-
cry section Of our country, from you may best be
learned as well the extent and nature of these
embarrassmants, as the most desirable measures of
relief.
am aware, however, that it is not proper to
detain you, at present longer than may be demand
ed by the special objects for which you are coven-
cd. To them, therefore, have confined my COM
munication, and believing il will not be your own
wish TO extend your deliberations beyond them, l
reserve till the usual period Of your annual meet
ing, that general information on the state Of the
Union, which the Constitution requiresme togve.
M. VAN buren,.
WASHINGTON, 18th September, 1897.