The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-21
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED
rnI.C


General Convention of Busipess Men 10 assemble
in the city Of Philadelphia, without distinction OF
parties" and our fellow citizens having dePuied Us
10 represent them in the said Convention, we deem
IL our incumbent duty 10 lay before you brief state
Inent of the which led TO the call of the Con-
vention together with some suggestions in regardto
a remedy.
Possessing a widely extended and fertile country,
with production of every thing which contributes
to the health or happiness Of man; with hardy,
eDterprising, and intelligent population, ProyeIbiai
for high aiianments in the arts of civilized life In
a word with the rie dship Of all nations the boun-
ties OF the earth, and the smiles OF heaven, would
seem that we must be, indeed, prosperous and happy
above all people. But when we inquire into the
actual condition Of the people in their individual
capacity, we discover that far from realizing the
prosperity and happiness, which heaven ard earth
thus tender 10 acceptance, actual distress and gloomy
forebodings have spread dsmay and ruin over hopes
and prospects but recently the most brilliant and
hattering Bankruptcy has oyeTtaken thousands OF
our most worthy and enterprising business men our
banks unable 10 meet their engagements, and an
stead of a sound and healthy currency, we have
paper circulation based upon promises which are
moi performed, or what is still worse, species OF
paper currency containing no promise TO pay, (" MI
after lapse of time which will wear them TO rags
Many of those who have consumed the productions
of our manufacturing districts are unable TO pay The
merchants from whom they purchased, The mer-
chants unable 10 pay the manufacturers, The
manufacturers unable TO get ON with their work,
the laborers are unable to pay for bread, and the
spindle and the loom, and the artisan are still and
thousands, who twelve months ago enjoyed com
Portable subsistence from the rewards Of honest IN
duStry are now trembling the brink of despair
Every department of industry, every branch Of trade
feels the mighty shock while every man asks OF his
friend or his neighbor what is the cause and where
and when, and how shall we find a remedy We
believe that shall be sustained by the intelligence
of the whole country in asserting that there are
natural causes for the difficulties under which we
suffering artificial causes alone in our estima-
tion have produced the catastrophe and therefore il
is that we look with hope and confidence 10 con-
plee remedy within our reach.
In a community of fifteen millions OF freemen,
scattered widely extended country, and united
under one general government important pecuniary.
interests Of the people of necessity be conded
to the direction and control of the national Admins
traton; among the most prominent of which may
be reckoned the duty OF ample protection to domestic
industry.
To the excessive importatons of foreign produc-
lions and the consequent demand for specie for
portalion must be largely attributed the deporable
necessity which compelled the banks to suspend
specie payments. BY excessive importations OF TO-
reign goods the home manufacturer is deprived of
his profits, the aborer of employment, and the whole
country of its only solid basis for circulating me-
dunn Ii the producing classes of our fellow citizens
would insure to themselves fair prosperity, they
must demand of the general government adequate
protection for the products of their own industry.
A well regulated system for the supply OF uni
form and adequate circulating medium, together
with facilities for the transmission Of remttanceS
from section of the country TO another, are also
among the most important duties of the general go
vernment upon the judcious exercise of which the
prosperity of the business of the country very greatly
depends. We will not attempt in this address to
point out the mode in which the important objects
are to be Obtained; there are professionally diff
ferent views upon this subject among ourselves,
bat we are all agreed that these subjects which
properly claim the exercise of the soundest wisdom
in those who are elected TO superntend the import
lt,,.., of tIa
general government of this nation
The distribution of the proceeds of the public
lands among the several States, for the encourage
ment Of internal improvement the promotion OF
common schools, and institutions for agricultural
and mechanical improvements, would, in the esti-
nation ofthis Convention not only contribute to the
universal diffusion of education but in every respect
would be the most beneficial disposition of the public
domain.
These we regard as the most prominent measures
to which the attention of the American people should
be directed as connected with the governmental
regulation of the pecuniary interests OF business
men these would have our fellow citizens TO
regard as among the legitimate purposes for which
our national government established
The productive portions of the community have
heretofore, been too unmindful of the vast import
ance of wise and judcious selection Of men, TO
direct those interests. We believe that a. remedy,
for the evils which now suffering, is 10 be
found and permanently maintained in no other way,
than BY the selection of honest intelligent practical
community in the councils, both of the National and
State Governments If business men, would have
their interests represented, they must employ as
Legislators and Officers of Government, those who
have fellowship of interest with them, and whose
prosperity and happiness, depends upon course of
policy, which will be productive of prosperity and
happiness to all
Il is one of the most prominent articles of political
demagogues, TO create an unnatural hostility, be-
tween the employers and the employed; this base
Suberfuge is reSored for the purpose of creating
an impression upon the minds of the working people,
that these brawlers their only real friends and
by this to their votes, to elevate them
to places of honor and profit; men, when they have
used the people as ladder, to cline to power, will
seek only their ACKNOWLEDGMENT But we rejoice,
that more correct sentiment Is beginning 10 pre-
vail, and the people are opening their eyes TO the
fact that the interests of employers and employed in
all free communities, is one and inseparabe; and
trust, the day is not far distant, when all our
rational and Stale elections will be conducted with
reference TO the promotion OF the business and in
dusry of the nation and the protection of the rights
and interests of the whole people, and not hereto
FORE with reference to the political ascendancy of
one party over another.
Party spirit is the bane of elective governments,
most of all TO be guarded against. Give us wise,
virtuouS and patriotic rulers, whose prosperity and
happiness is identical with that of the great body of
the people, and we may be- perfectly sure that the
government will be administered for the general
good but beware Of ambitious political asprans,
who atter but 10 deceive that they may riot in the
wealth wrung from the hard earnings of the poor
aboring man, little caring for the welfare Of him
his family
We mean to make no discrimination in these re-
marks, between the parties which agitae and con-
vulse the public mind but we intend them merely
a warning to those who, like ourselves, have deep
interest at stake, in the stability and permanency of
our free institutions and in the prosperity and hap
piness especially of the productive class of society,
that they may be induced to give their sufrages TO
men who regard civil government as an institution
organised and sustained for the benefit Of the whole
people, and not scheme to elevate 10 power, men
whose only aim would be TO tax the hand of honest
industry far as il would bear, and 10 share among
themselves the fruit of the plumber, under the pausi
bic prctext Of supporting the government