Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1837-1839, 1838-03-03

Jcund in New Jersey, Connecticut, and other
parts Of the north l would ask the gentlemen
from these states how these neighbors of theirs
find exchanges, and the means Of remittance be-
tween them s. their correspondents and purchas
ers in the South The carriage makers, the fur
niture makers the hatters, the dealers in leather,
in all its branches, the dealers in domestic hard
ware; 1 should like to hear the results Of the
perience Of all these persons, the state Of the
internal exchanges. as well as the gen01aj ques
ton, whether the industry If the country has en-
coun.cred any obstacle, in the present state Of the
currency.
Mr. President. the Hon. member from n York
stated correctly that this Bill has leading OBJ
jects.
The first u.s. n separation Of the revenue, and
the funds Of government, from all connexion with
the concerns of individuals, and Of corporations;
and especially n separation of these funds from
all connexion with any banks.
The second is, a gradual change, in our system
Of currency, to be carried on till we can accom-
plish the object Of exclusive metallic circula-
ton, at least in all payments to government, and
al: disbursements by government.
Now, sir, l am against both these propositions:
ends well as means.
lam against this separation Of government and
people. as unnatural, selfish, and an abandon
ment Of the most important political duties
lam for having but one currency, and that
good one, both for the people and the government
j am OppOScO 10 inc OOClTlncS Vi tuc 4NcSSdSC
Of September, and to every thing which grows
out of those doctrines. Ifeel as i'll were ON some
other sphere, if i were not at home, as 1t this
could not be America, when sec schemes OF pub
lie policy proposed, having for thor object the
COW eniencc Of government only, and leaving the
people to shift for themselves, in a matter which
naturally belongs, and In every other country is
admitted to belong, to the solemn obligations, and
the undoubted power of government. Is 1t a.
mcrica. where the government, and men IN the
Government, are to be better of than the people!
Is it America, where government is to shut ITS
eyes, and its cars, to public complaint, and to take
care of itself? Is it America, Mr. President, is
it YOUR country, and ic my country, in which, at
a time ofgreat public distress, when all eyes are
turned to Congress, and when most men feel that
substantial and practical relief can comeonly from
Congress, that Congress. nevertheless, has Moth
ing on earth to propose, but bolts and bars, safes
and vaults, cells and hiding places, for the better
security Of the public money, and nothing on
earth, not a beneficent law, not even kind word
for the people themselves? Is it our country, in
which the interest Of government has reached
such an ascendency over the interest OF the Pco-
pie, in the estimate of the representatives Of the
people? Has this, Siry-eome to-be the Sta.e OF
things, in the old thirteen, with the new thirteen
added to them? For one. l confess, know not
what is American, in policy, in public interest, OF
in public feeling, if those measures be deemed A
ncrican.
The first general aspect, feature Of the Bill
the character written broadly Ola its front, IS this
abandonment OF all concern, for the general cur
rcncv of the country. This is enough for me
secures my opposition to the Bill in all its stages
, Sir. this Bill ought to have had preamble Il
oucht to have been introduced by recital, set
ting forth, that whereas the currency of the coun
try had become totally deranoed; and wherea:
it has therefore been thought the bounden duty o
this government to take proper care of that grea
into and ,horea III,
opinion is erroneous. absolute and hcretical; ant
!, whereas according to the true reading of th'
Constitution, the great duty Of this government
and its EXCLUSIVE duty, so far currency IS con
ccrned. is to take for itself; and whereas,
j Government can but secure sound currency TO
$ ITSELF the people may very well be left 10 such
: currency as the States, or the Banks. or the'
r own good fortune, or bad fortune, may give them
;, therefore be it enacted, &c. &c.
:. The yerv first provision of the bill, is in keep
t inc with its general objects. and genera! cha rae
j. ter. It abandons all the sentiments Of civilize
!, mankind, on the subject of credit and conhdenc
l. and carries US back to the dark ages. The hss
that VIC hear. Of safes, and vaults, and cells, an
d cloistcrs From an intellectual it goes back to
phvsical age From commerce, and credit. 1t re
n turns to boarding. and hiding; from conhdcnc
it and trusts it retreats to bolts and bars. to lock
It with double keys. and to pains and penalties fe
Il touching hidden treasure 1t Is a law tor tn
!; times of the Feudal svsten-or law LOT IN
= heads and governors OF the practical States
e Barbarv. 1t is n measure ct for times vine
s there is no security in law, no value IN cor
Is mercc. no active industry among mankind. Hel
lr !, ia altogether out Of time, and out of place.
e has no sympathy with the general sentiments
this age still less has II any congeniaitv with o.
h American charactcr-any relish Of our hitner
$, approv ed and successful policy, or any agre'
II ment or conformity with-a general feeling OF Il
TO country.
* The gentleman. in stating the prov Islons OF II
T. last secon proceeds to say. that it is strange tn
!! none Of our laws. heretofore, has even attempt
" to give to the Treasury Of the L. s. "loc
= habitaton.'' Hence it is the object of this III
. section Of the Bill to provide and define such
as cal habita ton 4 local habitaion for the tres
o. usy Of great commercial country in the Mn
II. teenth century why, Sir. what is the tref
h. urv3 The existing laws cali it a department
at They say, there shall be a Department, with v;
e. ious officers, and a proper assignment of thu
c. duties aud functions; and that this shall be
IT. department ofthe treasury. tits, thus. an orga
3. lied part Of Government; an important an ind
Oh pensable branch Of the general administrator
X, conducting the fiscal affairs Of the country,
is controlling subordinate agents.
81, 9TH all local