Piney Woods planter. (Liberty, Mi. [i.e. Miss.]) 1838-1840, 1839-11-02
From the Baltimore Post
SHALL A MONIED POWER OR THE
GOVERNMENT RULE?

GOVERNMENT RULE?
The latter years of our Government
furnish an extraordinary exhibition Of thu
growth, schemes and operations of a sub
tie, pervading, and organized money pow
err, unknown to the Constitution, and ev
cry way dangerous to our free institutions
1t has assumed form and activity which
can no longer be disregarded as an i'm
portant adversary to the economy of our
Government.
The history of the world proves that
money, in its most divided, inert, and Off
cial operations, is invested with potency
that influences all society, enters into all
business, and, more than every thing else,
operates directly or indirectly upon the
transactions of the world The organiza-
ton of society and Government have Civ
en- it universally; its capabilities of pro-
curing all the necessaries and Injuries of
life, and commanding every thing that
has value and price, make it an indispen-
sable agent in the commerce Of the world,
and the sordid worshippers of mammon
bow to its influence as implicitly as if it
we're imbued with voltion and welded
destiny.
If in its weakest and most innocent
form, it is so potential, how much more is
it to be dreaded when it assumes con-
centrated and organized existence, used
by mans ingenuity as the instrument of
superadded power, and regulated for all
the purposes Of his ambition 1t is no ca
sy matter TO measure the extent of its in
fluence, or to prescribe limits to its pow.
ers. 1t reaches the diversified wants Of
man in so many ways, and feeds his ambi-
ton with so many splendid visions, that it
requires the highest stretch of virtue to
live above its corruption, and the purest
patriotism to resist its subjugation.
A period has arrived in the history of
our Government, when we find this money
power rising above the purposes of its le-
Ultimate creation, and leagucd in spirit
and purpose, has assumed political char
actcr authoritative and grasping. After
having mastered one set of politicians,
and received their allegiance, it claims
the perogative of command over all, and
is in open war with the Government of the
for all the power that is to con-
troll the destines ofthis great nation.
This money power commenced its
schemes ofaggrandizement far back in our
history, and in form so subtle that no
suspicion was entertained Of its covert OBJ
ects. 1t appeared at the bar Of legisla-
ion, humbly and submissiyely asking for
chartered rights to be used for public
good, and so plausible was the scheme.
md so praiseworthy the avowed object,
hat 1t not only received all that it asked
or, but it seemed to acquire popularity
IS public benefaotor, until an emulation
vas excited in different parts of the coun-
ry to see who should do most for this great
'atron of society. By studied system i
# artifice, it gradually insinuated itself il
nto the confidence of the public and the il
rood graces of Government, as the valua-
lie auxiliary ofal enterprise, and the Mi '
as that was to enrich the whole country !,
having accomplished this important pre-
urinary, the next step was to cozen the :
governments States and General into :
ssociated transactions, and thus create a r
onnection that should lead to settled |
tate Of dependence. The scheme took
nd all worked well for its ultimate sue b
esS. ltgrew in popularity and power as Il
multiplied its resources, and made broa- Il
err its foundations. Feeling at last the W
VI extent of the power it had gainad, ha ii
ing tens of thousands in its web, and Go. ri
eminent not altogether exempt from its r
it began to assume boil :,
er and more independent character It -
D longer asked for favors, but it demand =.
rights. 1t was no longer a modest sup a.
ant at the bars Of legislation, it enter 10
them as party on the floor. armed with Di
convenient appliances, Still grasping co
I'd gaining power, it became more mpe- re
Gus IN its tone of authority, and less Sp
rupulous in its exactions-and, here il tic
,tered the political field, not as a tmid re-
iy to party, but as the power first to fro
obeyed and its objects first to be con- If
1t encountered the power of s.
e Government and people, with a reso- -,
ton that aimed at unqualified mastery. -.
by no difficulties and subdued w
no adversely, it has gone On from wear sP'
year, more and more arrogant, until it GU
s become the great power against which the
'yernment has to contend, and boldly sol
pres to regulate and command all the still
"ers known to the Constitution, and as is
ich more as its corrupt and corruptinq lid,
iaence can accomplish. ;
Upon this state Of things the issue is b.,