The pilot. [volume] (Baltimore [Md.]) 1840-1840, 1840-04-09

ergy of the other, and degrades it in the respect
of the people. Such innovations we hold to be
destructive of the only democratic features of the
constitution and calculated to raise up and main
tain corrupt official ariStocracy.
| With these objections to the doctrines of the
predominant party, we find scarce less reason to
| complain OF the measures by which their admin
iSration has been distinguished.
| We complain that our old established systems
| OF policy have been compelled to give way to
succession of crude expedents, and that the most
valuable interests OF the nation have been brought
into peril by the adoption of rash and visionary
| experiments. We complain that the solemn
| pledges upon which this party have come into
power, have been violated without remorse, and
even without a preieXt:-of many profered to the
| people on the eve of its accession TO power, we
are aware of none that have been redeemed.
We complain of the wasteful extravaganza and
prodigalitY by which this party have more than
doubled the national expenditure. We have seen
our protective system by which the mechanical
labor of the nation had been so happily sustain
ed against the assault foreign capitalists, aban-
doned to its fate, and the country, under our
new system office importation, inundated with
foreign fabrics, not only to the prejudice Of the
American artisan, but to the ruinouS derange-
ment Of commerce, and the destruction of our
currency. We have seen the cause of Internal
Improvements, once so cherished by the people
OF Maryland, totally repudiated by the Admins
tration, the false plea that these undertakings
were only appropriate to the action of the State
authorities. A signal illustration ofthe unwise-
ness of this abandonment of our former policy
may be found in the fact that under this new
system, in the short space of five years the coun-
try had incurred National Debt of one hundred
and fifty millions, principally due to foreign
communities debt not the less nati0aal be-
cause it has been contracted by the States.
We have seen the whole mass of national in
dustry shaken, distressed and almost overwhem-
ed by the constantly recurring disorders in the
relations of the currency. We have witnessed
in the space of half the term in which this party
have had the control of public affairs, the State
Banks, under the stimulus of Executive action,
| increased in number and capital more than thew
mad been in all the previous existence of the 60
Vernment and not only debasing the money cir
cuiation by their excessive issues, but communi-
eating the most mischievous impulse to the spirit
of speculation and adventure.
We have especially seen this brood of recent
creations spreading over our new States like an
Egyptian plague, and where the Administration
nave had the largest sway, overwhelming the
prosperity Of some of the fairest regions of ouI
land. Nor have those who brought these evils
| upon the people the poor excuse of being taken
by surprise in this result. With extraordinary
foresight and accuracy of prediction did the wi
| oVSI Hlci III tIc -HdliOu dullonlSn ana lOreWdIn
them, in the beginning, of the frighlful conse
quence OF disorders which their rage of innova
ton upon the established order of things, theil
unwise zeal for State Banking, and their ignor
ance Of its mysteries were sure to bring down
upon the country.
| In the meantime, 2ce have been censured BY
the party in power, aud charged with factiou.
hostility, because we could consent to forego oul
own clear convictions of duly, and unite with
them in promoting measures which we believed
so fatal to the national prosperity. We have in
| consequence of this refusal, been called Aristo
Gratis, Monoposts Enemies of Republican Gov
eminent, and by way of concentrating, in the es
timation of those who revile rs, the sum of al
epprobrious names in one-they call us FEDERAL
lists.
If we were sincerely anxious to adopt the
principles BY which this party profess to direct
their measures, we might find the task above oul
power to ascertain what those principles are, ex
cept, perhaps, in the cardinal point of invariably
sacrificing the right 10 the erpedient. and evel
changing TO meet the contingencies of the day
We know not any great questions of policy, OF
if any but few, which have been presented in The
last ten years, in which that party has not beer
found at different periods in that interval, thu
supporters and advocates of each side.
In 1880, they were the friends of Nationa
Bank, and only differed from us as to the form O
organization. In 1886 they were, and still pro
fess to be, the enemies of such an institution il
any form.
In 1929, they were the friends of the Protectiv,
i system; they are now its openly avowed enemies
They were then in favor of Internal Improve
ments by the Government they are now hostil,
TO the whole system.
They were then in favor of single Presiden
tial Term; they have ever since, in practice, op
posed it.
They were then in favor of laws to proven
"the patronage of the General Government bein.
brought into conflict with the freedom of elcc
TONS" they now maintain the right of the officer
of Government to interfere in elections to the nj
most of their ability, and refuse to legisate
gainst it, In 1888, they were the jealous. pow
erful, and even friends and champions of the svs
tenn of State Banks, and firm believers in thei
virtues; they now affect to be the most unsnar;n,
enemies of their own offspring
They were then the advocates for lend;no NJ,
the public monies largely for the accommodate,
of trade: they now pretend to abhor this \ Grim
only second TO treason.
In 1885, they were the denouneers and rev;
lers of the scheme for an Independent Treasury
and voted down in Congress, by an almost ma n
imous party vote. charging it as uagepubHcon
corrupt and monarchical in its character the,
now prescribe every man, as an enemy TO de
mocracy, who will not, like them. change hi
opinion his principles and obey the edict WhicI
has commanded the adoption of this measure.
Once thew held the currency of tho oonntr,, /,