Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1837-09-08

eminent. Those who look to the action
of this government for specific aid to the
citizen, to relieve cmbarrassncnts arr |
sing from losses by revulsons in com
mcrcc and credit, lose sight of the ends
for which it was created and the pow
crs with which it is clothed. 1t was es-
tablished to give security to us all, IN
our lawful and honorable pursuits under
the lasting safeguard of republican in
stitutons. 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 opera
tons were 10 be directed for the benefit
Of any one class, equivalent favors must
in Justice, be extended to the rest and
the attempt to bestow such favors with
an equal hand, or even TO select those
who should most deserve them would
never be successful. All communities
are apt to look to Government for too
much. Even in our own country, where
its powers and duties are SO strictly linn
tied, we are prone to do so, especially at
periods of sudden embarrassments and
distress. But this ought not to be. The
trainers of our excellent Constitution,
and the people who approved it with
calm and sagacious delberation acted at
the time on sounder principle. They
wisely Judged that the less Government
intcrteres with private pursuits, the bet
ter for the general prosperity. 1t is not
its legitimate object to make men rich,
or to 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 property of some for the benefit
) of others. But its real duty-that duty,
, the performance of which makes a good
government the most precious of human
, blessings-is to enact and enforce a sys-
+ TEN of general laws commensurate with,
but not exceeding the OBJ ects of its es-
adjustment; and to leave every citizen
A and every interest to reap, under its be-
f nign protection, the rewards of virtue,
= industry, and prudence.
t / 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 PEG.
S pie, when limited to the exercise of its
0 conceded powers. In never assuming
G even for well meant object, such pow.
: ers as were not desi gned to be conferred
: upon it, we shall in reality do most fol
/. the general welfare. TO avoid ever,
/ unnecessary interference with the pur
n suits of the citizen, will result in more
benefit than to adopt measures which
C could only assist limited interests, ant
If are eagerly, but perhaps naturally, sough
C for under the pressere Of temporary cir
It cumstances. If, therefore, refrain
If from suggesting to Congress my specific
= plan for regulating the exchanges of thu
e country relieving mercantile embar
l. easements: or interfering with the ordl
If nary operations Of foreign or domesti,
e commerce it is from conviction tina
y such measures arc not within the con
d stitutional province of the General Gov
eminent, and that their adoption woul,
e not promote the real and permanent wei
Of fare Of those they might be designed t.
e aid.
Y. The difficulties and distresses of tn
Is times, though unquestlonably great, ar
IS limited in their extent, and cannot b
~ regarded as affecting the permanen
ii prosperity of the nation. Arising in
n great degree, from the transactions c
Of foreign and domestic commerce, it
l. upon them that they have chiefly fallen
of The great agricultural interest has, j
n many parts Of the country, suffered con
or paratively little; and, as if Providenc
to intended to display the muniicencc {
D. its goodness at the moment of our grca
ut est need, and in direct contrast to tn
rs evils occasioncd by the waywardncss {
Or man, we have been bless ed Throughout
o. our extended territory with a season c
it general health and Of uncommon frui
lie fitness. The proceeds Of our great st;
ne pies will soon furnish the means of liQu
ne dating debts at home and abroad and col
at rlbutng equally to the revival ofcommercIa
., activity and the restoration Of commerce.
1' credit.
ne deeply regret that events have occurre
or which require me to ask your considerable
H. of such serious topics. could have wishc
an ,hat, in making my first communication to Il
assembled representatives Of my country,
had nothing to dwell upon but her unaIloyo
Gu prosperity. Since it is otherwise, we can on
- feel more deeply the responsibility of The re
NJ pective trusts that have been conliCed to u
~ aud under the pressure OF difficulties unite
he invoking the aid Of the Supreme Ruler