Western courier. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-09-21
lent with prudence and patriotic liberali-

ty
The proceeding suggestions and recon-
| nnendations are submitted in the belief
that their adoption by Congress will ena
bic the Executive Department TO conduc
ous fiscal concerns with success, SO fan
astheir management has been. committed
4 TO II. Whilst the objects and the means
proposed to attain them are within its
constitutional powers and appropriate du-
ties, they at the same time, it is hoped,
by their necessary operation, afford es-
sential aid in the transaction Of individual
concerns, and thus yield relief to the peo.
pie at large in form adapted to the ma
lure OF Stlr government. 1'iicae who
look 10 the ection Of this government for
specific aidto the citizens, to relieve em-
barrassments arising from losses by re-
vuIslons in commerce and credit, lose
sight of the ends for which it was created,
and the powers with which ii is clothed.
Il was established TO give security to US
all, in our lawful and honorable pursuits,
under the lasting safeguard Of republican
institutions. 1t was not intended to con-
fer special favors on individuals, or on
any classes of them; to create systems Of
agriculture, manufactures, or trade; or
to engage in them, either separately or
in connection with individual citizens or
organized associations. If its operations
We're to be directed for the benefit of any
one class, equivalent favors must, in JUS
tice, be extended to the rest; and the at
tempt TO bestow such favors with an equal
hand, or even to select those who should
most deserve them, would never be sue
cossful.
All communities are apt to look to gov
ernment for too much. Even in our own
country, where its powers and duties are
so strictly limited, we are prone to do>so,
especially at periods Of sudden embarrosA
ment and distress. But this ought not to
be. The trainers of our excellent con-
stltutioD, and the people who approved it
with calm and sagacious deliberation,
acted at the time on souHder principle.
They wisely judged that the less govern
mont iinteFferea with private pursuits, the
better for the general prosperity. 1t is
not its legitimate object to make men rich,
orto repair, by direct grants of money
or legislation in favor Of particular pur-
suits, losses not incurred in the public
service. This would be substantially to
use the properly Of some for the benefit
Of others. But its real duty--that duty
the performance of which makes good
government the most precious Of human
blessinSs---is to enact and enforce a sys-
tenn of geissral laws commensurate with
but net exceeding the objects of its estab-
lsbment; and to leave every citizen and
every iLts rest 10 reap, under its benign
protection, the rewards Of virtue, industry
and prudence.
4 cannot doubt that on this, as on all
similar occasions, the Federal Govern
ment will find its agency most conducive
to the security and happiness of the peo-
pie, when limited to the exercise OF lis
conceded powers. In never assuming,
even for a we'll meant object, such pow
ers as were not designed to be conferred
upon it, we shall in reality do most for
the general welfare, TO avoid every un-
necessary interference with the pursuits
Of the citizens, will result in more benefit
than to adopt measures which could only
assist limited interests, and are eagerly
but perhaps naturally, sought for, under
the pressure of temporary circumstances.
If, therefore, refrain from suggesting
to Congress any specific plan for regula-
ting the exchanges of the country; re-
lieving mercantile embarrassmeuts; or in
terferng with the ordinary operations of
foreign or domestic commerce; il is from
a conviction that such measures are not
within the constitutional province Of the
General Government; and that their a.
doption would not promote the real and
permanent welfare ofthose they might be
designed TO aid.
The difficulties and distresses of the
times, though undues;ionably great, are
limited in their extent, and cannot be re-
gardcd as affecting the permanent pros
perity Of the nation. Arising, in great
degree, from the transactions Of foreign
and domestic commerce, it is upon them
that they have chiefly fallen. The great
agricultural interest has, in many parts
of the country, suffered comparatively
little; and, as if Providence intended to
display the munifcence of its goodness at
the moment of our greatest need, and in
direct contrast to the evils occasioned by
the waywardness of man, we have been
blessed throughout our extended territory
with season Of general health and un
common fruitfulness. The proceeds of
our great staples win soon furnish the
means of liquidating debts at home and
abroad; and contribute equally to the re.
vival Of commercial activity, and the res
toration of commercial credit. The banks
established avowedly for its support, de,
irving their profits from il, and resting
under obligations to itwhich cannot be
overlooked, will feel at once the necessi-
ty and Justice Of uniting their ener-.
gies with those of the mercantile inter
est.
The suspension Of specie payments, at