Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-08-08
SPEECH

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SPEECH.
FELLOW CITIZENS From the mere circumstance
of my rising to address you from this stand, pre-
sumo YOU will not infer that am an arisocrat, or
desire in other respects to elevate myself above the
people--for | rejoice that | am in the presence
of men, who have known me, even from my child
hood, to the present time, and who can testify
whether the circumstances with which have ever
been surroundedNNVere such, would foster in any
bosom the odous feelings of an arstocrat.
! am one of the people. And as such only ad-
dress you, and venture to reply as well as my
pacity will permit to the remarks of the honorable
gentleman who preceded me in the forenoon.
twas thought to have been his only object in the
commencement Of his speech, 10 set before you in
proper light his own conduct, in relation to an
executive nomination, on which he was called to
act, during the last session of the legislature and
10 vndicate himself from the charge Of prescription
which might be based upon a report that had
been published, or part of speech which he deiv-
cred upon that occasion.
Awaiting himself, however. of the favorable OPP
portunity which presented itself, he soon branched
out into political discussion, embracing the prom
inent TOPICS upon which tho two great ~Prsties of
the Union are ut present divided II will be Utterly
out of my power, gentlemen, owing TO the manner
in which he delivered his speech, to follow him
regularly through the whole course of his remarks:
but ashley were, towards the conclusion, particu-
larly directed against the policy of national
bank, we will, after few preliminary obServa-
tions without entering into discussion at present
with regard either to the eXpediency const-
tutonaGty of such nstituton) direct your atten-
ton to its substitute, the Independent Treasury
Bill, which has at length been forced upon us, chow,
we will not stop to enquire) by the present admin
istrators of our government.
The last eight or nine years, if we mistake not.
is destined to form great epoch in the history of
our country; and stand as beacon, to warn poster
ity against the errors, into which we have suffered
ourselves to be carried-an epoch, which will
long be referred to, as still farther exemplifcaon.
of the truth of the old adage, that it is best to let
well enough alone"
Its commencement found us in prosperty-Agri-
culture was forrishing--Commerce was flourish
Observation-Disclosures were fourishng-all our va
rous interests were moving forward, in harmony
and concert; and we had a currency which stood
without q rival in the world-a National Bank.
whose notes were at par, in every corner OF the
Union, and circulated freely throughout the civil
lied world.
But in looking around upon our country, and
viewing especially the present state of our cur
rency, who will not say, that we are now like the
man in the parable, whose last state was worse
than the first!
We are willing to admit, that when Gen. Jackson
came into power, he found some errors, which re-
QulTeu COTTectlOn, OUT lHOUUH lie NAV HuNe uGlNen
out the one "devil," with which we were then pos
sessed, and swept and garnished the house, do we
not now find seven worse ''devils," occupying the
place of the one which he removed, and more filth
and corruption in the house than ever! We think
very slight investigation, will be sufficient to con-
vince US that such is the fact.
We find our agricultural, commercial and man
ufacturing interests Frustrated. We find ourselves
in possession of currency OF bank notes and
n-pasters for the people, while that better cur
rency, which so freely promised to all, has
been raked up, and reserved for the exclusive bene
fit of the office-hOders. Bank notes, and shin
plasters, it seems are considered good enough foi
the common people, for the farmers and the me-
chanics, and they may take them or nothing; while
those who have fattened upon the spoils of office
have grown too fastidious, forsooh to relish any
thing but gold and silver.
But, thank Heaven the people are beginning t.
wake up, and TO inquire into the origin Of such {
state oe affairs. No longer blinded by deluSive
promises, they are determined TO trace the DIS
tresses, which they see and feel, to their leEiu
mate authors and hold them accountable for tn
evils, which they have cOnspired TO produce.
III rejecting men, agree in atributing thes
evils, or majority of them at least, to the de-
engagements which exist in the finances Of tn
country.-And these arrangements, are think ma,
satisfactorily be traced, to the removal of the pub
Inc deposites, from the late U. S. Bank, and the en-
courngement, which was subsequently given, to Tia
State Institutions, TO use the public funds, as basis
upon which to extend their facilities, and enlarg
their accommodations.
In consequence Of the extraordinary issues
which they were thus induced to make, from n sui
ficiency for all the purposes Of trade, money, "
recoect, suddenly became superintendent. Me
indeed, scarcely knew what to do with 1.-THE
were every where Intoxicated, by visions Of wealth
with which their excited aginaions teemed.-
The spirit of speculation and extravaganza regne
triumphant; and the financial skill, and fOresigl
Of the President, was lauded TO the skies.--An
then it was, that our honorable Senator Col. Ber
ION, taking up the notes Of adulation, waited fror
the Globe and other Kindred prints; and warme
he thought, by the fire of inspiration, proclaime
TO the people Of the Snuth and West, that the wa
ters of their respective rivers. the Missouri an
the Mississippi, would, under the influence of III
"Magician'S" wand, be converted into streams
running gold; which, reversing the ordinary cour'
OF nature, would flow upwards, until the who
country, to the heads Of the creeks, and spru
branches, would fairly glow, with the profusion
tue precious metals.--And confident he,
the fuGment of his prophecy, that he called ups
b. .'"nirratic constituents, the farmers Of Mi
'"nso' 90. "'''" -~cat lone ~, =