Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1840-08-13


ter, until it amounted TO FIVE, ten, and af:
ter the extingujshment of the public debt
to nearly thirty millions. The disaster
GUS effects now became apparent. An
extensive interest had sprung up deriving
wealth from the use of the peoples mo-
ney, and having powerful inducements 50
to act upon the Government as TO in
crease the source of their income,
Their influence was first directly felt in
interferences TO prevent the payment Of
the public debt; then in. efforts, through
the use of the public press, and in at
tempts TO secure the influence of leading
politicians and of men in authority, to pro-
cure prolongation of their chartered
privileges; and; finally in panic and
pressure indicted upon the country with
the hope of controlling the action Of the
Government through the alarms and the
sufeTings of the people. By shifting the
deposites from one great institution 10
many smaller ones, the unity of this in
terest was destroyed, but not its power.
Though enfeebled, it still existed in a
force which the boldest might fear, and
has made itself felt in the contests of the
last few years. But the intelligence and
virtue of our people have triumphed over
art, panic and pressure, and the act of
delverance is this day consummated.
1t is hoped that the business of the
country viii no longer be disturbed by
the struggles Of the banking interest to
get possession of the money Of the peo-
pie, that they may make profit out of its
use; but that they will settle down con-
tented with the use of that which legit-
mately belongs TO them, leaving the funds
of the Government to be kept and expen-
ded according to the letter and spirit of
the Constitution. But should it be 9th
erwise, the intelligence and frmnoss of
our people are equal TO any emergency.
They now understand the whole subject.
They see no reason why the stockholders
and debtors of banks should have an ex-
elusive privilege to make themselves rich
out Of the use of the public money.
They see no reason why they should be
taxed to raise money for such purpose.
They see that its effect is to build up q
rich privileged order at their expense TO
control the Government and destroy all
equality among the people. Seeing all
this, and that the plan for which that in
terest has so long struggled to the de-
rangement of the business of the country,
is in paIpable violation of the spirit of the
Constitution, their frmness will be equal
10 every effort necessary to prevent its re-
establishment.
In the progress of our Government the
most gratifying evidences have been fur
nished that our people are, in intelligence,
integrity, and determined resolution,
equal TO the task of sell.government. In
that administration which has been appro-
priately named ''the reign of terror" so
appropriately that men ofall parties now re-
pudiate its acts and are prompt 10 redress,
as far as they can, the wrongs it inflicted,
the force of statute law and the arm of the
Judiciary were called in to aid the inhu-
ence of the Executive and the advocates
of strong Government, in putting down
the rising spirit of the people, and con-
trolling the current ofpublic opinion; but
all these combined powers were exerted
in vain. The Sampson of Democracy
burst the chords which were already
bound around its limbs, and in the cleo
ton Of Mr.. Jefferson vindicated its prin-
cipels, its frmness, and its power. A
web more dtfully contrived, composed of
high protective tariff, system ofinter-
nal Improvements, and National Bank,
was then twned around the sleeping giant
in the vain hope of subjecting him forev-
er to the dominion and will of the ambi-
tiouS and grasping few; and you have seen
how he has scattered the whole TO the
winds when reused by the warning voice
Of the honest and intrepid Jackson. A
gain, in the triumph Of the Independent
Treasury, we witness the triumph of the
popular intelligence and frmness over
the arts arguments, appliances and alarms,
of the interested few who desire to en-
rich themselves by the use of the public
money-another and most gratifying evi-
dence that the people, when aroused, are
competent to maintain any just principle,
and correct any abuse, however sanction
ed by precedent OF sustained by wealth.
On these evidences Of popular intelli-
gence and frmness, the Republican pa.
triot rests with we'll grounded faith, that
all means which may be used to mislead
or intimidatc the people, now or hereafter
into surrender Of their Constitution and
their liberties, will, as they ever have
done, meet with signal and whitening re-
buke.
i am, gentlemen, with thanks for the
friendly spirit in which you have individ
nally performed the duty assigned TO you
very respectfully, your friend and obedi
), ent servant.
NJ. VAN BUREN.
To Messrs. John NJ. McCalla, T. NJ
Hickey, B. TsyloElsRd G. W. John
son, esqrs. cOmmistte.