Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-06-28

Globe is worthy the attention Of every in
dividual. 1t places in bold relief the lles-
sings which attend national bank. FN.
Y. Times.
MAMMOTH MERCHANTS.
The wing press is every where anx-
ious to fix the belief that this print is hostile
to the merchants as a class-that their op-
preston is an object with the Government,
and that their disasters give pleasure to it,
Nothing is more untrue or unjust.
AS an entcrprising and useful body, we
have always been gratificd at the well-do-
ing of commercial men. We have rejoic-
ed at the success of their skill and activity;
and when any unprovoked calamity has
come upon them-such for instance as the
great fre-none ever espoused their claims
for relief more zealously than the editor of
this print. We personally interested our
selves in their relief bills before congress
the advance Of the indemnites to ward off
The pressure Of money-opposed the dis
ls-~- r.l<ssslatad IA take from
them the accommodations TO which they
had been Observation-Disclosures the ex-
plorng expedition on large scale, as pro-
tecting and opening new avenues to their
enterprise; expenditures on the navy, as
cherishing the skill in the country connect
ed with their interests, and furnishing
strong arm to protect them; and the most
liberal appropriation for the enlargement cf
harbours, the extension oftheir Notifications
and that of the cities. We have advoca-
ted free trade for our merchants, and glo-
ried in seeing the shackles struck off by
domestic Legislation and indemnities brought
home in retributon for the attempts of for
eign powers to cripple and prey upon it.
But we abjure the all grasping spirit of
monopoly which has become sort of man.
la with the trading classes of the United
States. What scene does this insatiate
spirit now present to the world The city
merchants have extended their credit at
least sixty millions in Great Britain. They
have engrossed almost the whole banking
capital Of the United States. They welded
these vast facilities to monopolize the cot.
ton in advance for years, to command its
price; the wheat of the last crop to such an
extent as 10 make foreign importation the
only relief from extortion; and the public
lands, by large associated companies, were
also made the subject of mercantile specu-
lation, and engrossed at government prices
with view TO wiring cxorbitant profits out
Of the investments from the rising genera.
ton which must cultivate them. In add-
ton to all this, the merchants abandoned
their true avocations and have gambled e.
Enormously in city and town lots, and in ev-
cry species Of stocks.
Besides, the city merchants of certain
caste, we apprehend, have carried their en-
terprises into politics, and have invested
money in schemes to make the government
of the country, through the leaders whom
they cherish. an object of speculation.----
Stocks ola GRAND DANK, under an admin.
istration disposed to identify the political
power Of the nation with The interests of the
moneyed aristocracy, would not only &C.
quire vast pecuniary value, but something
more. The Bank of England with its court
OF Directors are but step beneath the king
and nobility. But for glare of royalty and
old renown the governor of the bank might
well be said to hold the more conspicuous,
as he holds, doubtless, the more command
ing influence at the present moment. The
mitlionaires live by his breath; the grea
manufacturing cities send their petitions t.
him. He has the power to save or des
troy multitudes. The kings's prerogativt
cannot stretch so far. The bank of Eng
land now divides the empire with parlia
ment.
1t is, then, in behalf of the people that we
oppose our press TO the "overleaping am.
biton" and the all.pervading speculation
: of the merchants. The last has brough
upon the country one of the greatest evil
that could befal its pecuniary interests, il
the shape of deprecated currency. 1t i
worse, in a moral point of view, than as
mere money mischief: it is pregnant witt
innumerable frauds.
The great good which the merchants an,
their political leaders hope to work out O
the suspension which they have produced
is, 10 our mind, nothing short of a rcvolu
ton in the government. A national banl
can never again be associated with our sys
tenn, without defeating, in the first instance
, the will Of the people, and excluding tina
will forever after from its rightful contro
over the government.
We confess tbs wing doctrines are too deep fc
us to flthom. Doubtless they are q cat politica
economists. Our merchants and speculator
and traders, have incurred millions Of debts whic
they are unable to pay the natural conscqucr
fol h. ocadh