Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1838-05-10


isfactorily conducted. In this event, our
National Rulers are taught the necessity of
reviewing their measures, and our immedi-
ate predecessors here, that the evils, of which
they were forewarned, have actually come
upon US. This election we hail as the har-
binger of good the signal of determined
effort for deliverance. We believe voice
has gone forth which has already been heard
through the Union, and will be echoed, and
re-echoed, among the people. The time has
come, when experiments upon our dearest in
terests are no longer to be tolerated and
when experience, that great and unerring
teacher in human affairs, is to resume her
influence, and put to silence visionary poll
ticians.
Gentlemen: we must not look to this great
change in public sentiment, as triumph of
| party victory over political opponents
1t is triumph Of truth; the acknowledge
ment of error; reasSertion of the republi-
can principle, that the people are paramount
| in the enactment, and administration of
laws; principle, which has, of late, receiv-
ed but little favor from those whose profess
sions of its soundness have been the loudest
| We behold a revolution accomplished by the
! union of those who have hitherto somewhat
differed, laying aside their partialities, to
save sinking and suffering people. On every
side such union has been ardently desired,
and all who have co-operated, are entitled to
participate in the honor of the achievement !;
it was impossible any longer to deny relief;
and men, forgetting minor differences, have
rushed together, to avert impending ruin !;
let this union be perpetuated, it is virtuous
one, vital one.
The excellence of republican govern
ment, consists in the influence of popular
feeling with the government and more i'm
mediately, with the representatives of the
pie in the United States, or their representa-
tives in Congress, have originated, or approx
cd the leading measures of the general gov
eminent! Where do we first discover the
schemes of finance, and currency, NOW the ia
vorites ofthe government? Is it in Congress?
Is it among the people themselves! Have
the merchants, the manufacturers, the me-
chanics, the farmers, or the day -faborers, So
licited Congress to change the currency, and
modes of business! Do they urge it? Do
they desire it! Or have they not remonstra-
ted against? Are they not now, in bodies of
thousands, with unexampled importantly, i'm
ploring Congress to abandon their ruinous
measures? Are there not among these petit
TONERS, many who have been the friends,
and firmest supporters of the administration
Do not our rulers in high places, set them
selves above, and against the popular will g
Do they not turna deafea to our entreaties,
and confident of their superior wisdom, re-
solve at all hazards to persevere, until they
shall have changed the deep-rooted institu-
tons of the country! Are not the people
called to follow, and not themselves to lead
the way? If they have no voice in meas
ures involving the currency of the country,
its business, its institutions, of what avail is
the form, or name Of free government? If
Congress had been duly consulted, or if the
sentiments of the country had been carefully
taken, we should not now behold the vast
and accommodating ruin on every side; an
uncalled for and presumptuous responsible
ty has been assumed and one measure has
been taken after another, until we are involv-
ed in distress, appalling to its very authors.
Has the Executive of the United States any
right thus to experiment on the country? to
change the mode and objects of its pursuits
The people only, or their representatives,
have power adequate to such results; and
doubtless they will provide for such changes
when they believe them to be necessary.
Who is to answer for the derangment pre-
vailing throughout every employment; for
situations, the breaking up of families, the loss
of property, and the despair seen around us
in our commercial cities, and manufacturing
villages? Let us, gentlemen, betake our
selves in good earnest, to work out some de-
liverance tor our constituents, if it be in our
power. 1t is time to discard the visionary
projects of those who trample under foot
all experience, and acknowledge no wisdom
but their own; let as rather preserve, and
as changes require, perfect what our ances-
tors have left us. Improvements should be
sought for in existing institutions, and such
security provided against their abuse, as ex-
perience finds necessary but the presump-
tuous politician, who would uproot our long |
tried institutions, so interviewer with the very |
fabric of society, however honest may be his
motives, should be regarded as the enemy of
our prosperity.
The immediate cause of our embarrass-
ments. Is the want of a currency or medium
be no interchange OF property hence, our
business is disappearing like the melting
snow under meridian sun. The States of
this Union are as effectually sundered from
each other, as ifthey they were parts of dis
tant empires, or separated by wide oceans:
the facilities of commerce with Europe even,
are greater than with the South and West,
our chief markets; with them, though our
connexions are most intimate, and important,
we have no intercourse. New England is as
completely excluded from them, as if they
were parts OF China. If our citizens have
property there, it is unavailable. and must
lie exposed to loss. The manufacturers of
New England, who have hitherto sought q
market IN States remote from them, are baf-
iied' crippled, and Responding beyond en-
ourance they cannot sell what they have
manuIactureds or obtain remittanccs for that
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