Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1838-02-13
POLITICAL.
GOV. KENT's SPEECH.

II would afford me- much satisfaction if
could also congratulate YOU ana them up.
on the continued prosperity of our country,
aud the natural and satisfactory results
which have heretofore attended the cnter-
prize. Intelligence and action of the Amer
ican people in their various departments Of
lahnr.
But j. Is fact too obvious Co be dlsguis-
ed, and too serious to be overlooked that
a change has come over the long continued
prosperity of this people and that a check
has been given 10 cntcgprIzc and cXcrtlon
III public works and private operations,
which has produced, and is producing, en-
borrasSnent. arrangement and distress, IN
the business and prospects of a large por-
ton of our people,
1t IS n sad aud dishcasieuing spectacle 10
sec Young, vigorous and strong nation,
with powers aud capacities of almost un-
limited extent, IN time of profound peace,
when all the causes of n0'lonal and inuivid-
ual wealth were in fall operation, when in
dusiry was tcaplng ITS reward, and content
meni and satisfaction were the attendants
of cNcrlion, suddenly struck down from this
pnImy state of prosperity and happiness, 10
suffer all the evils of suspended action, de-
ranged currency, general distress, CONNER
clal embarrassment, and individual ruin
1t is natural that men should ask and seek
for the cause of such revulsions and that
they should with the independent spirit Of
irccmen, hold those to whom power has
been delegated, responsible for their acts
IN producing such calamltous results.
A free and enlightened people viii yield
generous confidence and rational support
I TO the government of their choice, but they
will never surrender the right 10 investigate
fully and Judge impartiaIly the tendency
and effect Of public measures, upon tho
prosperity of the country. Whoever sup
= poses, or hopes, that such people will fol-
, low without hesitation, or adopt without in
! vestlgation, any course which may he pom
ted out 10y those IN whom they have conf
! deG, simply because II originated with par
= tcular party. will sooner or later ascertain
that he has mistaken the genius and spirit Of
our Constitution, and the character Of this
@ people,
5 The calm iudgmcn, Of the whole people
n IS the tribunal before which the acts Of
G public men must pass III review, and II is
: tribunal which can seldom long be decev-
II ed and never can be corrupted.
The chaotic state of the currency OF the
;. United States is topic Of intense interest
A., and free Investigation and while the fact
;. Is admitted 10y all, aud the fatal effects Of
% this arrangement are obvious and uncon-
, tradicted, the cause and the remedy are sub
lects Of immediate and pressing attention.
=, Without pretending to be able and skill
II fol hnancors, or capable OF iathomng all
N the deep researches Of those who are, the
p. great mass of the people well know and re-
n member, ihn, SIX years since, this nation en-
i, Ioycd currency unsurpassed IN the history
of the commercial world II united the
= security Of the precious metals and the con-
n. ycnIcnce Of paper. 1t was convertible at
+ any moment into gold and silver. md had
g. obtained the confidence of the whole con-
l. munity TWAS q currency which answered
~ the great purposes Of commercial exchange,
h possessing an equal and convertible value
No IN every part Of our widely estcndcd land,
n. and enabling sections most distant rom each
os other to negotiate with ease and safety
When il was deemed cNpcdiCnt by Govern
mcnt to change OF destroy It, all practical
-, men admitted that We then enjoyed safe
-. sound, and highly convenient currency,
!" which could hardly be improved and might
,o be impaired OF destroyed by sudden changes
o. or iil-consdered schemes Of improvement.
a.. The events Of the last year have fully dem
RI pnsir1'ed thai the predictions ana leaIs oil
he those who anticipated evil, from uniricd and
nj uncertain experiments upon the currency
q, oi thc country, were not the mere assertions
aud prophecies Of Jealous opponents, bui
the iar-feachin1 views 81 experienced
he s,atc-mcn. anA .ous ~ preserve what oXpe-
H. renee had proved sln,ay and useful.
of II Is undoubtedly true that there isa Dis
al position IN the community 10 attribute Ia
i, the action Of Government effects which arc
Of the result Of other causes. But when, as N
~. the instance before us. the general govern
D. mcul uyowcdly undertook to interfere, and
,er to change ihc hsed and delicate operations
dy Of tie moncytary system, by "A new and IN
.er tined experiment, alh tine promise ofequsl
H. ~ favorable results, and when predicted e
An fccis have resulted from the causes IN oper
IN aiion II Gems Iusi end proper tina, the poo
10 pie should hold their rulers responsible a.
,,h the evils which have come upon them.