Piney Woods planter. (Liberty, Mi. [i.e. Miss.]) 1838-1840, 1838-12-22


on great emergencies, were relied upon
for a satisfactory settlement Of the ques-
ton. Already has this anticipation OIL one
important point at least--the improperly
of diyerting public money to private pur-
poscs-been fully realized. There is no
reason 10 suppose that Legislation upon
that branch Of the subject would now be
embarrassed by a difference of opinion, or
fail to receive the cordial support Of a
large majority of our constituents. The
connection which formerly existed between
the Government and banks was in reality
injurious to both, as we'll as to the general
interests of the community at large. 1t
aggravated the disasters of trade and the
arrangements of commercial intercourse,
and administered new excitement and adj
ditional means to wild and reckless specu-
lations, tho disappointments of which
threw the country into commissions of pam
ic, and all but produced violence and hood
ehed. The imprudent expansion of bank
credits, which was the natural result of
the command of the revenues Of the state,
furnished the resources for unbeunded Ii
cense in every species Of adventure, sedu-
ced industry from its regular and salutary
occupations by the hope of abundance
without labor, and deranged the social
state by tempting all trades and profess
sions into the vortex Of speculation on re-
mote contingencies.
"The same wide-spreading influence i'm
peded also the resources of the Govern
ment, curtaied its useful operations-em-
barrassed the ful6llment of its obligations
and seriously interlcred with the execu-
ton Of the laws. Large appropriations
and oppressive taxes are the natural con-
sequences of such connection, since they
increase the profits Of those who are al
lowed to use the public funds, and make
II their interest that money should be ac-
cumulated and expenditures multiplied
1t is thus that concentrated money pow
or is tempted to become an active agent
10 political affairs, and all past experience
has shown on which side that influence
will be arrayed. We deceive ourselves if
we suppose that it will ever be found as
sorting and supporting the rights of the
community at large, in opposition to the
claims Of the few.
SIN Government whose distinguishing
characteristic should be a diffusion and
equalization of its benefits and burdens,
the advantage of individuals will be aug
mentcd at the expense of the mass of the
people. Nor is it the nature of cornbina-
lions for the acquisition of Legislative in
tluence TO confine their interference to TIE
single object for which they wero origin
ally formed. The temptation to extend it
TO other matters, is, on the contrary, not
nnfreqnentiy too strong TO be resisted. -
The influence, in the direction of public
affairs OF the community at large, is, there
fore, in no slight danger Of being sensibly
md injuriously affected by giving to q
comparatively small, but very efficient
class, direct and exclusively personal
interest in so important a portion Of the
Legislation Of Congress as that which re.
iates TO the custody of the public moneys
If laws, acting upon private interests, can
not always be avoided, they should be con
fined within the narrowest limits, and left
wherever possible, to the legislatures G
the states. When not thus restricted, the
lead to combinations of powerful associa
iions, foster and influence necessarily Sc
fish, and turn the legislation to siniste
ends, rather than to objects that adyanc
public liberty, and promote the generi
good.
"The whole subject now rests with yol
and cannot but express hope that som
definite measure will be adopted at tt
present session."
Next follows clear and comprehend,
views Of our State Bank system and Pr
emption rights to settlers on the publ
lands. The President recommends
Congress the adoption of the necessal
means for taking the next census-the il
crease and organization of the military.
Our relations with the Indians are ire
ted Of at some length. Though the e.
tire remarks deserve particular attentio
we will only give the following:
"To Cherokees, whose case has perhaI
excited the greatest share of attentit
and sympathy, the United States ha,
granted in fee, with perpetual guarantt
Of exclusive and peaoeabIe possession, l3
554, 1875 acres Of land, on the west side
Mississippi, eligiby situated, in health
climate, and in all respects better suite
to their condition than the country the
left, in exchange for only 9,49l 400 acre
on the west side of the same river. TIL
United States have in addition stipuIate
TO pay them five millions six hundred thol
sand dollars for their improvements on tn
lands thus relinquished, and one milIio
and sixty thousand dollars for their sui
eistence and other beneficial purposes
thereby putting it in their power to becom
one Of the most wealthy and independer
separate communities, Of the same exten
in the world.
"By the treaties made and ratified wit