Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1837-1839, 1837-10-07
SPEECH OF MR.. RARIDEN.

People
SPEECH OF MR.. RARIDEN.
o. ISDIAxA.
IL ihs H,use Of Representatives. September - 1887
Upon the bill to postpone the payment Of the
fourth instaImcnt Of the surplus revenue.
Tho amendment Of Mr.. Thompson Of South
Carolina being under consideration in Committee
Of the Whole on the state Of the Union
| Mr.. RARIDEN rose and said: Sir, feel great
reluctance in Obtrudng any remarks Of mine up
on this House at any time, but especially at this
carly period Of mr. congressional life. But, said
Mr. r. came here. resolved that upon all and
any measures efiectng the veal Of this
Government, to act on suggestions Of my own und-
erstanding, regardless Of the quarter from whence
they might originate or the friends Of party
who might advocate or oppose them. Yes, sir,
came here with a full purpose Of heart give the
administration full hearing, and bona fidc sup
port in all measures which, in my opinion would
rebound to the interest Of this nation; and hav-
ing made up my opinion upon this bill adverse to
the Executive recommendation, it behOoves me
TO show some good reason for that opinion or |
might subject myself to the charge Of wanton OPP
position.
SIR said Mr.. II. am aware, too, Of the delica-
cy OF the situation in which humble individ
ual places himself, when lie sets up his opinion
in grave matters of State against those Of men
exalted in the highest places upon the credit Of
superior endOwments, and more than common de-
vOtiOn to the good Of the country. Am aware,
too, sir, that my position is less eligible for a
rect concluson-that i am less removed from
causes which might misIead the Judgment, than
is the Chief Magistrate; and was there not We
ry decided prepondcrence:in my mind against the
measures recommended and embraced in this bill,
might surrender my own judgment and acqui-
esce, but upon this occasion I cannot; but l am
disposed to accord to the Chief Magistrate the
the same purity Of motive in the recommendation
that claim for mysefin opposing it, and place
the whole upon the ground Of an honest differ
cnce Of opinion.
Sir, cannot view this bill as simply intending
to Withhold from the States the fourth instalmcnt
Of the surplus revenue. This is a false and mis-
taken view Of it. This will not be its practical
effect for it must be kept in mind that this surplus,
the payment Of which to the States is to be ndefin
itcly postponed by this bill, is already with the
States in the deposite banks, and is tho basis of
portion Of the circulating medium Of the States;
and to postpone its payment to the States by the
National Treasury, means nothing moro or less
than to withdraw from the States this basis Of
their circulating medium, by Withdrawing from
the deposite banks in hard money sum equal to
tho amount to which each State is yet entitled,
under the prov isions Of the deposite law; and
whilst this runous measure, which will be most
sensibly felt by the western and southwestern
States, is pressed forward, we find another meas
to the bill! postpone the collection Of merchants
bonds)-the effects Of which will be to leave
with certain States several millions Of mon
ey, Of which the Treasury is at this time in want,
and to which, under existing laws, it is now en-
titled.
The few remarks which l design to make
arc with a view to illustrate the positions Just
suIned.
This question has been discussed by some gen.
tlemcn though there was angry and rival in
tercst involved in the action of this House be-
tween the General and State Governments, and
some seem to feel that they have specially in
charge the interest of the former For my part,
do not view it in that light, nor do | feel myself
more the friend and agent Of the State which sent
me here, than the friend and agent Of the Gener-
al Government feel that in this matter am
tho common friend Of both, and that the action
Of this House is patcrnal; that in a controversy
like this, for the possession Of fund which each
claims trustee that the adjustment of the diff
ference is referred to and the coordinate BRAN
ches for an adjustment upon principles of politi-
cal equity, looking to the convenience and well
being of both claimants.
cannot comprehend how the General Gov crn-
mcnt has any adverse paramount rights in this
fund to the people Of the States. 1t was they
who infused into it all its life and vigor, and bcs
! tOwed upon all its capacities, among which was
the power to levy and collect a revenue Of them
selves, to such amount was necessary! to carry
!
cd upon it, and prcdes,ined it to fulfil for their
good.
Now, sir, If from accidental causes in the due
execution Of the established revenue laws, more
has been collected than was necessary for purpo-
scs OF Government to whom does it belong-the
agent who collected it, or the principal Of whom
it was collected? !, sir, consider it a common
right Of the people in n common surplus in the
safe keeping Of tho United States, the accumu-
lation and inactivity Of which, at the time Con-
gress acted upon it, was paralyzing the enterprise
and industry Of the country. Money, VIC know,
sir, is the generator Of enterprise, and had this
fund been permitted to have remained an mac.
tive accommodating mass in the National Treasury,
it would, in all probability, have checke dthe indus
try and enterprise Of the country, injuriousy
as its subsequent removal to the State banks
stimulated them, and thereby greatly diminish
cd the natural resources Of the Treasury
Add to this, sir, that il a source Of jeal-
Gus watching with intelligent countrymen,
lest its influence might have been diverted to
party purposes, instead Of National. Indeed, sir,
1have heard whispers that the party who once
had the entire control Of it, were less successful
IN elections since it has been wrested from their
control. but whether their be any foundation for