Litchfield enquirer., 1837-06-08
From Gke Boston Aflas, Nay 2S. THE CONTRAST.


 TFade-Eociety- CWTTency- GoperHnae1H a 1899 G l6S7.-In order to appreciate to their full extent the blessings which the present administration has introduced, it is necessary to review the circumstances under which il came into power. This we shall do very briefly in the following paragraphs.
 1899.
 Andrew Jackson found the country in . state of general prosperity The government was administered with economy strictly re- publican. Commerce, manufactures, agri culture fourished. The banking system was in condition of remarkable soundness.- There was no disposition to multiply local banks. There was neither temptation nor opportunity for these banks to expand their issues. The failure of bank was an occur renee as unusual as an earthquake. LaDor was sure of employment, and sure ot It's re, ward. There were few brokers, usurers, and money lenders by profession. There were no speculators by profession. There were no immense operations in fancy stocks and bubble schemes. Every trader confined hlm- self to his legitimate business, and conducted it on facilities procured from the banks at six per cent, or perhaps farthing less. There was but one way of growing rich hard la- bor, assiduous industry, early rising, late re- tiring, and anxious, solicitous, and perseve- ring attention to business. Our habits as people were simple and democratic. few individuals, who had accumulated solid prop erty by frugal industry, and retired from ac- tive business, rode about in their own car- riages- simple vehicles enough, without show or parade, and employed for the comfort and convenience of people who had been walking all their lives, and thought themselves entl- tied to drive in their old age. There was little disposition for expense or extravaganza. We were by habititudes, if not by nature, simple, industrious, and economical people i; and every thing was going on with the order, the quiet. and the prosperity, which economy and industry ever induce.
 Our foreigncredit was without stain. The debts which we contracted abroad were such as we could pay and paid they were with scrupulous and honorable punctuality. Our currency was without exception the most per- feet on the face of the globe. No man ever lost cent by it. It was abundant, safe, and well accredited in every part of the world All the pecuniary operations of trade and commerce were conducted with the most wonderful facility and regularity. Gold and silver were free in circulation, and there was at all times an abundant supply ofthe smaller coins. And one could supply himself with money which he could use, travel with, trans init to distance or receive from a distance, to any amount, without the loss of cent to any of the parties in interest. Millions on millions of Exchanges were negotiated in every part of the country, and at an average of one-half of one per cent.-a charge merely nominal in comparison with the subsequent rates. The whole machinery of society, gov ernment, trade and currency was in state as nearly approaching perfection as human ingenuity, and human wisdom could expect.
 Such was the condition of the country in 1929. Then the destroyer came. For eight years he has managed the affairs of the coun- try in his own way, and his will has been the law of the land.
 1887.
 During the eight years which have elapsed what changes have occurred in our affairs Why, the whole machinery of currency trade, government and society have been deranged. The land is flooded with three ol four hundred millions of irredeemable paper The smaller coins have utterly disappeared Gold and silver are no more acurrency, thar amethysts and diamonds. They have nc circulation. The currency has escaped iron the control of the laws, and our dimes ant quarters are now furnished by private bank CTS. The mint is in the cellars of the licen sed victuallers. They carry on joint busi A4OSS VI ICtuAAtuk JuACRS 6Lu lSSuluk 11JOLlCy this money in the cities, constitutes large portion of the circulating medium. Instead of shillings and sixpences, you must take your change in omnibus tickets and this is the Constitutional Currency which has been restored by General Jackson! No specie paying banks, no specie bills at par in their own neighborhood; but to be used in travel ling only at an immense sacrifice, and of no value in the payment or collection of dis tant debt: in fact, there is no currency from Maine to Georgia, that is entitled to the name of a Currency.
 And how is it with trade! During the last eight years every thing has been at sixes and seyens. A good, sound, honest, livelihood giving, we'll conducted, easily managed trade, with safe investments, and sure returns, has hardly been known. Every thing has run into speculation. Banks have sprung up on every side. Any two men who could write their names so as to indorse piece of paper, have been enabled to procure facilities for their own destruction. Brokers, usurers, money lenders and speculators have multi piled till their name is Legion. Every thing has been turned heels over head. No one wants to buy, and every body is at1aid to sell. There is an utter stagnation, paralysis, ex- tinction of business. Thousands on thou sands have declared themselves individually bankrupt; and we have hardly foreign credit enough to make it either safe or decent for any American to cross the Atlantic.
 And how is it with society! Society has not escaped from the inevitable degradation following this wretched state of affairs. Ex- pense, extravagance, parade, equipage, plate, silks and satins, and turtle, French and Ger man wines and all this in places where, ten years ago nothing was to be found but the charred stumps ofthe original forest trees Take two points only Bangor and Buffalo