Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-12-14
TCwc,vded from first puget

ud not bu, be difficult. But time ana
discussion olici,no the sentiments OF
10 people, and aided by that concl'iAtoiy
,,fit Which has ever characterized their
ugsc on great emergencies, were relied
pos for a satisfactory settlement Of the
inca icn. Already has this anticipation
N OIL, important point a, least-'ho inn
,ropriejy Ct diveriing public money to pr'-
ssts purpo ses-- been fully Teallzcd.---
'lero is no reason to suppose that lcgis
alton upon that branch of the subject
Pgauid now be embarrassed by difference
Of opinion, or fail TO receive the CORDIAL
,uppoFt Of large majority Of our constit'
cats.
Tho connexion which formerly cxs'ot
between tue Government and Banks, was.
in reality injurious to ho;h, as we'll as TO
,bo general interests of community at
large. II aggravated tho disasters OF the
|tr.dc and the deiGngemens OF CONNER
,la intercourse, aHd adG.iastcied ncW
excitement and additional means to Wild
end reckless spcculations, tho disdppolni-
nonts Of which threw the country INTO
yonyuIsions Of panic, and all bat produced
violence ard blood-hee. The impr'ldcni
tsnaneion Of bank credits, which Nas the
natural lcsali Of the command Of the rev.
.nuc Of the state, furnished the resources
fer unhoundcd licence i'll every species Of
adventure, scduced industry from It's rcgu.
lar and saluiary occupations by the hope
OF abundance without labor, and derangcd
he rocisl state, by tempting all trades and
Professions into Tie vortex o! Speculation
on remote contingencies.
Tho same wide spreading Influence i'm
nsdaI also tho resources Of the Governs
ment, curtaicd its useful operations, en-
tarrassca the tulflmcnt Of its obligations,
and seriously intorfcred with ihc execution
Of the laws. Large appropriations and
oppressive taxes are the natural corse-
cucnces Of such a connection, since they
increase the profit OF those who are allow
ed to use the public funds, ard make i,
their ntcreat that money should be accn.
rlulatcd aud expenditures multiplied. 1t
is thus that concentrated money power
il tempted to become an active agent in
political affairs, and all past experience
has shown on which side that influence Will
he atrayed. We deceive ourselves if VIC
oppose that it will ever be found assert.
irs and supporting the rights of the corn
I1unity at large, in opposition to the claims
@. few.
In government whose distinguished
Characteristic should lie diffusion and
equalization of its benefits and burdens,
the advantage of individuals will DO aug
vlsn,ed at the expense Of the mass Of The
reo7Ie. Nor is it the nature OF colnbina.
tioau for the acquisition OF Legislative iniln
cnce to conlinc their interference TO the
einglo object for which they were origin
ally formed. The temptation to extend
it to other matter is, on tho contrary, not
unfreqnently too strong 10 DO resisted.
Tine influence in the direction of public
ellalrs Of the community al large, is there
fore in no slight danger Of bcirg sensibly
ind injuriousy affected by giving TO a
comparatively small, but very efficient
class, direct and exclusive personal IN
teresi in so important portion OF TIC leg
islation Of congl ess as that which relates
10 the custody of the public moneys.
If laws acting upon private intores
cannot always be avoided, they should b,
confined within the narrowest limits, ..l'
left, wherever possible, to the Legislatures
Of the states. y hen not thus restricted
they lead 10 combinations Of powerful as
sceiatiols, foster an influence nee e'sar!l.
selfish, and turn the far course OF Iogisia'
ton to sinister ends. rather than 10 obJect
tina, advance public Liberty, and promote
the general good.
The whole subject now rests with you
and cannot but express hope that some
definite measure will be adopted at tht
present session.
1t will not, am sure, lie deemed out On
place for me here 10 remark, that the
declaration of my views in opposition tC
the policy of employing banks as deposit
cries Of the government funds, canno
Justly be construed as indicative OF hostIl
~, official or persopal,to those institutions
or TO repeat, in this form, and in conneXior
with this subject, opinions which have
uniformly entertained, and on all proper
occasions expressed Though Away;
opposed to theft creation in the form o.
exclusive privileges, and, as a state mag
Istrale, aiming by appropriate Legislation
to secure the community against the con
sequences of their occasional mismage
ment, | have yet ever wished to see their
protected in the exercise of rights confer
red by law, and have never doubted ,hei
utility when properly managed, in promo
ting the interests Of trade, and hlougl
that channel, the other interests of thu
Community. To the General Govern