The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1837-08-08
GOVERNOR DUNCAN, OF ILLINOIS.

Below we copy extract from the late message
of Gov Duncan of Illinois to the Legislature OF that
State. The opinions of man so distinguished as
is Gov Duncan, for knowledge of political sci
ence and sterling patriotism, entitled to can
did hearing; and wnere he is known their nfu-
ence will be acknowledged and felt He was once
an ardent supporter of Gen. Jackson's administra-
ton and did not forsake it until the chief ceased
to administer the government on Jeffersonan prln-
ciplos; then like an honest man, true to principle
and the best interests of his country, he abandoned
an administration whose acts have spread ruin from
Maine to Georgia.
"In my message at the opening of the last ses-
sion, it was my Happiness to congratulate you on
the prosperity then SO eminently enjoyed by every
portion Of our beloved country; and from my m
most heart, did rejoice to the Industrious citl
zen every where reap the rewards of his labor
And although, even then, was not without strong
apprehensions of an early reverse, am confident
no human forecast could have anticipated so sudden
a calamity as has been brought upon the country
by the action of the Federal Government upon its
currency. AT the time the President of the United
States assumed the responsibility of ordering the
puplc money to be removed from their legal de-
posite in the Bank of the United States, for the
purpose as he avowed, of preventing the re-char-
ter of that institution by Congress- there never was
sounder currency, more healthy state OF things
in any Government in the world. 10 effect this
great object namely, that of destroying the United
States Bank rival institutions were to be created
and it will be remembered, that Immediately alter
the removal of the deposites the Government party
commenced establishing State banks, whilst State
Legislatures deluded by the fallacious promise of
advantages to be derived from the deposites TO be
made i'm these Institutions which were to be fiscal
apents of Government readily fell into the measure.
AS might have been expected, hundreds of new
banks Instantly sprang up, their enormous issues
of irredeemablc paper afforded the nducement OF
universal extrayagant specul alton, ana gave US
what all must now regard, o dePraYed and worth
less currency.
"Before the public were aware of the ruin which
this wild scheme portended, the Executive and a
portion OF its party, seeing their error, 1t would
SEEM endeavoIed TO escape its consequences by
amusing the People with The absurd and impract-
cable project of exclusive hard money currency.
| say absurd, for well might the Executive of
the United States expect to compel the citizens OF the
Great Valley to abandon the use of steamboats, and
resume the flat bottom and barge in the navigation
to give up paper currency, at all times con-
veriible into specie, with all its adaptedness to the
purposes of the commerce and business of the
| country. Before such scheme can be prosecuted
the results they promised, the intelligence, com
| merce, liberties, and boundaries of all these U. >.
must be obliteIated, and the People yield to the
stubborn will and rule of despot. These ExPER-
ImENTs, they have been styled by their authors,
may, and believe, have had their POLITICAL effect;
but they have also had their effect upon the
uy acknowledged to be full OF resources, dstin-
guishod for its intelligence its enterprise and won
derful prosperity, reducing it to almost uniper-
sal bankruptcy; in prostrating alike, its business
its energies, and confidence.