The North-Carolina standard., 1839-02-20
N1Te. EDWARDS SPEECH.
(COncEuded.)
DEBATE ON MR.. RAYNER's RESOLUTIONS
In Senate, 27kh December, 1888.

DEBATE ON MR.. -RAYNERS RESOLUTIONS.
II. Senate, 9Th December, 1888.
Another ground of objection to the Indepen-
dent Treasury said Mr.. E., relied upon in the
resolution, is its " tendency TO augment Erccu-.
tire paLronagc" 1t would be sufficient an
swer to this, to say, that if a measure essential
to the wise, jud;cIous and cOnst nstitutiOnoL admin
istratou of the fiscal concerns OF Government.
render necessary the creation of office, it would
constitute no solid or sufficient objt tction, that
patronage would be thereby increased. That
would be TO argue that al Offices should be
dispensed with; because, all impart some patron
age and Government without offices, would
be an anomaly not heard Of, since the institution
Of civil society. Patronage is the creature Of
office, and inseparhble from it and it is the
daty OF Il wise Government, to restrain it with
in proper limits; to guard against and punish
is corIuptions and abuse; and TO avoid its be-
stowal, except when indis pensabIy called for, by
the public exigencirs. The Question is not,
therefore, Mr. E. coLtendcd, what amount of pa
tr0nage, this measure of divorce produces; as
whether IL produces more or less than any o.
ther scheme proposed for acceptance? What
other, then. is propnsed2 From present ind-
cations, whether affected or real. will not now
inquire; sufficient for the day, is the evil there
Of; national Bank seems to be abandoned-at
least, for more breathing EIme Even its warm
est advocates. do not urge lis pretensons to fa-
vor; it has no abiding place in the public mind,
whatever politicians may mediate; 1t is con-
demned by public opinon-condemned by ex
perience-cOndemned by the Constitution and
if those who entertain ULteri0r uieWS, in regard
to re-establishment, sh Ill succeed inproducing
a state of disaster and misrule; escape
from which, il shall be presented as the dread
alternative, 1 tell gentlemen. that even then,
they are destined 10 the modification of another
defeat: The people never will consent TO sub
init TO any other mastery than that OF the Con-
s:itution and laws of their own creation.
But one other. then, remains to be considered
league of affiliated State Banks the plan
most insisted upon, by the opponents OF the
Independent Treasury. know, this is regard
ed by some. a AaLfWny house; but, should
it ever be reached, [ have fears, that the
Journey will be prosecuted farther, whatever
considerations of expediency, may be urged in
its behalf. Let then. said Mr.. E, contrast
these two measures. The independent Treasu
ry, proposes the appointment OF some fifteen or
twenty differs; whose aggregate salaries are
inconsderable, and who are bound to an honest
and faithful performance of duty, by all the
guards and sanctions, which can be thrown a
round them. 1t is true, they are removable by
the President; but In of abuse or corrup-
ton by him, Il prompt and efficient remedy is
afforded, buth by impeachment and a repeal of
the law 1t will not do to tell me-, that officers
chosea by the people, are either too ignorant or
too corrupt. The responsibility and character
OF all hduciarIes. are, to certain extent, pledg
es of fidelity; and TO say, that fl and snitable
selections cannot be made, except the choice be
confded to the members and stockholders of
eorPoratiOns, would be charge Of want of ef-
fcIency In the Constitution, to execute itself-a
charge against the aohote people. of insensibilny
TO public virtue and talents; which would come
with very i'll grace from the peoples own re-
preseniatives. Sir. how long have we been ac-
customed 10 hear such charges2 how long has
that boldness, which would dare openly avow,
that the fountains of power are corrupt and
tainted, at their source. been manifest? D,strust
CT the people, Sir The theory of Govern
ment incucates, and all the lessons of expert
ence commend to us, jealousy of power, and
distrust of public functionares Let the public
dictionary. then distrust himself. Yes, Sir, let
US distrust ourselves; and not insult the people
by the accusation, that they are either incompe-
tent, or unwilling 10 manage their own Govern.
ment. discreetly and we'll.
Patronage, continued Mr.. E., is the right or
power of comforting favors; and, the control 1t 1
sxerts is always in proportion to the number
and influence of those owe: whom il is exerted |
as you multiply, therefore, the recip pents OF ia
vors, to the same extent do YOU increase that
control. If we apply this test, then. we shall
be forced to acknowledge, that the appointment
81 le" oHlcerS, IN addition to those ALREADY
employed in the public service cannot tend sol
much to the accumulation of patronage. as the
selection of some thirty or forty State Banks,
dispersed throughout the whole country; WELD
ing capital In the aggregate, of as many or
Twice as many millions and sus!Iined by an ar
my OF Presidents, Directors and Stockholders,
with long list of D.Pendahts and Expectants.
In the one case, we have bulfew officers, restrain
ed hy the seyerest penalties from the use of the
public money; or from its application, in any
form whatever, to their own or auother's benefit,
andby consequence. deprived of its aid in the
acquisition Of personal influence In the other, we
are presented with Gordon of Banks, extending
from one extremity of the United States to the
Diner; connected, by the ramifcations Of busi-
ness with every interest in society and nanag.