The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-21
THE MERCHANT.

The following extract from the speech of Senator
| KALAMAZOO, contains merited tribute 10 the mer
| chants of our country.
From Mr. Tdlusadges Speech in the u s. Senate, Sep %
| Sir, | am aware of the prejudces which honestly
exist with portion of the community against any
thing like associated wealth" | am aware how
easily those pretudices may be wrought on by de-
magogues and designing politicians But those who
sent here 10 fegSlae for the great interests of
the country, should be extremely careful how they
minister to such prejudices Whilst 1t is admitted
that the banking system has its evils, its superior
benefits, nevertheless recommend it to the candid
consideration of every statesman and patriot 1t
should be his object to correct the evils and retain
the benefits. Preserve and regulate, but not de-
Stroy' should be his motto Ii has existed and
been recognised from the earliest foundation OF the
Government down TO the present time IL has been
identified with the interests OF the Government
These institutions, in some shape other, have been
employed by the Government during that whole pc
riod. 1t is through their agency and instrumental
~ that these much abused and deSpised merchants
have been enabled to pay into your Golfers the vast
amount of revenue which has sustained you in peace
and in war. Yes these very merchants who have
been represented as not to be relied on in times of
perl-whose patriotism is in their ledger, and whose
field of glory is their counting room-men who are
the most forward in their pursuit of gain when all
ispeaceIand quiet but who shrink from responsibility
when danger presses
Sir have for long time looked with horror
upon the ruthless warfare that has been carried on
against the mercantile interest. | have seen with
alarm the attempts which have been made to set up
other portions of the community against them. l
have heard them branded as swindlers for collecting
their honest dues at home, and as traitors for paying
their honest dues abroad. Sir, the interest OF all
classes in this country are reciprocal. Neither The
farmer, the manufactures, the mechanic nor the mer
chant can get on advantageouSy, one without the
other. But, it is TO the merchant more especially
that the Government must look for the immediate
means of support 1t is the merchant that stands
IL.
the merchant that shoulders the responsibility and
paws into the Treasury the enormous amount of
venue which keeps the whole machinery of Govern
ment in motion. II is the merchant that maintains
the credit of the country abroad by the scrupuouS
fidelity with which he endeavors to meet all his en-
gagementS. In short, the character of an American
merchant is passport through any country in the
world. And still this class of citizens that command
universal respect abroad cannot be relied on in
times of peril at home! Sir, in what period of
our history have the merchants been obnoxious
to this charged None were more patriotic dur
ing the revolutionary war-none contributed their
means more largely or freely And who, let me
ask, occupied prouder position during the late
war;
When the credit of the Government was at its
lowest ebb, who furnished the means 10 carry on the
war; The merchants. When the Government
wanted money, and could not command it on its own
responsibility, who stepped in 10 its assistance and
provided credit on which it could be raised : The
merchants. Yes sir when your troops were IA
mShlng lor want oil supplies, and diShcdrtcned Tor
want OF pay-when you could not raise dollar
your own credit was the merchants, through
these much traduced and villfed banks, that took
your deprecated paper, which had no currency with
the people, and gave their own in exchange in which
the country had confidence. Sir, am tired of these
nccssant efforts to excite one portion of the commu-
nifty against the other. There is no class TO whose
patriotism you may not appeal when the country re-
qures their services. The agricultural, from the
very nature Of their employment, will always stand
pre-eminent. But, il is to the merchants, more than
any other class that you are to look for the ready
means TO aid you in time of war Sir, they have al
ways responded to your call They were never
history. Whatever of glory or Of honor, or of pros
perty, this nation enjoys it is indebted, in small
degree, 10 the patriotism of the merchans.--They
have contributed their full share towards establish
ing your national character, at home and abr jad.-
They will continue to sustain il, until their broken
and subdued spirits shall think ii no longer worth
preserving.