Maumee City express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1838-184?, 1840-01-11

for luxurious enjoyment and sudden wealth,
which renders those who seek them depen-
dent on those who supply them--to substl-
tute for Republican simplicity and ecoDoml-
cal habits slckly appetite for effeminate
indulgence, and an imitation of that reck-
less extravaganza which impoverished and
enslnved the Industrious people Of foreign
lands; and at last, to fix upon us, instead
of those equal political rights, the acquisi-'
ton of which was alike the object and sup
posed reward of our Revolutionary strug-
gle, system of exclusive privileges con-
ierred by partial legislation. To remove
the influences which had thus gradually
grown up among us-to deprive them Of
their deceptive advantages--to test them
by the light of wisdom and truth--to oppose
the force which they concentrate in their
support-all this was necessarily the work,
of time, even among people 30 enlighten-
ed and pure as that of the United States. In
most other countries, perhaps, it could only
be accomplished through that series OF re-
voutionary movements, which are too often.
found necessary to effect any great and ra-
dicai reform; but 1t is the crowning merit
of our institutions, that they create and
nourish In the vast majority of our people,,
disposition and power peaceably to re-
mcdy abuses which have elsewhere caused
the elfusion of rivers of blood, and the sac
rlfice of thousands Of the human race. The
result thus far is most honorable to the self
denial, the intelligence, and the patriotism
Of our citizens; it justlfies tire confident
hope that they will carry through the re-.
form which has been SO well begun, and that
they will go still farther than they have yet
gone in illustrating the important truth, that
a people as free and enlightened as ours;
will, whenever it becomes necessary, show
themselves to be indeed capable of self
government by voluntarily adopting appro-
pirate remedies for every abuse, and submit
ting to temporary sacrifices, however great,
to insure their permanent welfare.
My own exertions or the furtherance of
these desirable objects have been bestowed
throughout my official career with zeal
that is nourishcd by ardent wishes for the
welfare OF my country, and by an unlimited
reliance en- the wisdom that marks its ulti-
mate decision on all great and controverted
questions, Impressed with the solemn OBJ
legations imposed upon me by the Constitu.
ton, desirous also Of laying before my fel-
low citizens, with whose confidence and
support | have been so highly honored, such
measures as appear to me conducive to their
prosperity anxious to submit to their
fullest consideration the grounds upon
which my opinions are formed, have on
this, as OIL preceding occasions, freely offer
ed my views on these points of domestic
policy that seem, at the present time, most
prominently to require the action of the
Government. | know that they will receive
from Congress that full and dble considera-
ton which the Importance Of the subjects
merit, and can repeat the assurance here
toiore made, that shall cheerfully and rea-
dily cooperate with you in every measure
that will tend TO promote the welfare of the
Union. M. VAN BUREN.
December Q, 1889.