The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-09-16

foreign or domestic commerce; it is from
n convection that such measures are not .
within tire con ti'ui,nal province of tle
General Government, and that their adcp-
ion would not p'onCte Il real ard per
naneni welfare Of these tlcy might lie de-
-rucd 10 aid
The difficulties ard distresses of tie
ines, though unquestionahlv great, are
United in their extent. and Garnet G re-
garded as affecting the permanent prcsperi.
ty of the nation. Arising, in a great de-
gree, from the transactions Of foreign and
domestic commerce, it is upon them that
they have chiefly fallen. The great sgri-
cultural interest has in many parts Of the
country. suffered comparatively little, and,
as if Providence intended to display the
nunfcence of its goodness at the moment
of our greatest need and in direct contrast
to the evi occasioned by the waywardness
cf man, we have been blessed throughout
our extended territory with a season Of gen
eral health and ofuncommon fruitfuness.
Proceeds of Our great staples will soon fur
nish the means Of liquidatng debts at home
and abroad, and contribute equally to the
revival of commercial activity, and the res
! toraton of commercial credit. The banks,
established avowedly for its support. de-
irving their profits from it, and resting un-
der obligations to it which cannot Re over
looked, will feel at once the iv and
! Justice of uniting their energies with those
of the mercantile interest. The suspension
Of specie payments at such a time and un-
der such circumstances as we have lately
Witnessed, could not re other than atempo-
rary measure; and we can scarcely err in
believing that the period must soon arrive
when all that are solvent wi redeem their
issues in gold and silver. dealings abroad
naturally depend on resources and prosper
ity at home. II the debt of our merchants
has accumulated, or their credit is impaired,
'hesG are fuctuato1s always incident to
extensive or eXtr&vagant mercantile transac-
ions. But the ultimate security of such
Obligations does not admit of question.
Hhey are guaranteed by the resources of 4
country, the fruits of whose industry afford
,hundant means Of ample liquidation, and
w the evident interest ofevery merchant to
sustain credit, hitherto high, by promptly
lpplving these means for its preservation.
deeply regret that events have occurred
| WHICH require iUc lD dSh YOUR CbIlSluCTdllOil
Of such serious topics. could have wish
ed that in making my first communication
TO the assembled representatives of my
counry,I had nothing to dwell upon hu'
the history of her unulloyed prosperity
Since it is otherwise, we can only feel more deep
y the responsibility of the respective trusts thai
have been confded to us and under the pressure o
ifl ulties, unite in invoking the guidance and ait
If the Supreme Ruler of nations, and in lahorinc
with zenous resolution to overcome the dihcultie
ny which a. environed.
1t is, under such circumstances, high gratiiica
ton to know by long experience, that we act for
people to whom the truth. however unpromisng
an always be spoken with safety, for the trial 0
whose patriotism no emergency l. too severe ant
who arc sure never to desert public functonar,
honestly aboring for the public good. 1t seem
just that they should rec eive without delay. any
aid in their cmbarassments which your dellbera
I tions can afford. Coming directly from the mids
ofthcm, and knowing the course ofcvents in every
section of our country, from you MAJ best he learn
ed as well the extent and nature Of these embar
rassmcnts as the most de irahe measures of relief
| am aware. however that it Is not proper to de
tain you at present longer than may be demanded
by the special objects for which you are convened
To them, therefore have confined my communi
cation. and believing will not lie your own wisl
to extend your dC,i1eratons beyond them, reserve
till the usual period of your annual meeting tha
general information on the state ofthc Union whitl
} the Constitution requires me to give.
NJ. VAN BUREN.
WAsu1ysTov, 4th September, 1887.