Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-07-16
"Hard Times in Bath"

doom which abused people are about TO fix
upon it. 1t is upon this principle that the reigning
powers are now making grand flourish, through
the Eastern Argus, Lincoln Patriot, and other
tory prints, about the blessings of Van Burensm,
and its fostering care all branches ofindustry,
because our own town has not yet, like hundreds
of others in all directions, been prostrated by
its blighting influence
The Bath correspondent of the Eastern Argus
has thrown in his mite, towards propping up the
crumbling fortunes of the office-holding arlsto-
cracy, of which he is an active member. The
letter is written with considerable art Flattery,
gentle admoniton, rebuke and censure are skill
fully inte rwoven But the design of palming
a deception upon the people, and of publicly CEN
suring our Wing citizens, for daring to follow the
lights of their own reason, instead of placing their
consciences under the keeping of the office
holders is too clear to be misunderstood We
not only, cheerfully admit, all that is said of the
industry and enterprise of our citizens but go
further, and say also, we believe they know some
thing of the political condition of the country,
and that they are intelligent enough to know of
what they complain is the humble privilege of
complaint to be denied us Are none but the
leaders of the spoils party, allowed to speak a
bout the affairs of the country Must the lips of
our best citizens be sealed, while lawloss anbi-
ton is laying its iron grasp upon the very pillars
Of liberty.
This writer has far more genteei way Of re-
minding the people of their duty, than the noto-
rious Doctor Duncan. That hish priest Of de-
mocracy says, in plain language, that all who
complain, are ''penness loafers, and tells them
s'to work harder and live more economically But
our Argus correspondent, speaks in more sub
dued tone he comes bedecked with courtly
phrase and diplomatic bow Yet, he in effect,
says to the Wings of Bath, and those of them
who are ship-owners in particular as long as you
are making money, or have business enough to
take up your attention. your complaints against
the administration of the Government are I'M
reasonable and improper. Is it possible that this
correspondent has yet to learn that not
entirely subdued-that the forms of freedom still
remain-that the privileges of citizenship in
free republic have not yet been taken away-that
the sceptre of power has not entirely passed into
the hands of the Office holding arlstocracy; and
that free citizens will continue to sonnd the alarm
against the corruptions of the dominant party,
they are told they must not muir
mer but labor on in slavsh silence, and leave the
business of managing public affairs, to those self
constituted guardians of the people, who assume
to know what the business community want, bet
ter than that community itself.
Does this letter writer suppose that our ship
owners have no ear for any thing but the iingling
of their money bags Does he suppose them so
utterly selfish as to forget their duty as Amerl-
cans, as long the means of adding to their
wealth, by foreign trade is left them : Certainly,
one who has lived so long among them, cannot
be i. norant of their generosity and patriotism.
He must know that their hearts are warmed by
love of country as well as love Of gain. 1t is an
open insult, then, to assail them in the public
prints for daring to exercise the rights guaranteed
by our constitution to every citizen. All our bu-
siness men ask for is wise and honest administra-
ton of the Government. Give them this and they
will be satisfied. Now when such vast
majority of these men, throughout the country,
arrayed against the party in power, is 1t not pref
ty sure indication that it is time for a change
muring, though the Office holders may look upon
it as an insoent Interference with their rights.
This public servant speaks of the fortunes which
have been made here, chiefly under the "unwaver-
ing poicy'' of the last twelve years reign. Gun
wavering policy!'' Does the writer mean TO satire
his own friends? Surely will think him SER
ious when he applies the term ''unwavering" TO
party that has been on all sides Of every political
question, of any magnitude, save t,oo. He will re-
ceive but little credit for his candor, when he applies
such language to party that has been both for and
against United States Bank for and against the
State banks, for and against a credit system. for
and against specie currency, foR and AGAINST
the SUB-TREAsURY, for and against internal i'm
provements, for and against tariff &c. &c &c
But we admit there are two general subjects, upon
which this wavering party has been 'unwaverng. :"
First it has been steady and true TO its purpose of in
creasng, in all possible ways, the burdens ofthe peo
ple and secondly in breaking down the barriers of
Con sti,utional liberty.
We are not able TO speak with as much accuracy
as this official correspondent respecting the fortunes
which have been made here, because we are not,
like him. constituted supervisor over other mems
matters. Al we have to say is, we rejoice at their
prosperity, and wish they had made as much again.
The prosperity o: the cotton-carying trade is attr
buted 10 the policy of Mr. Van Buren, and his pre-
decessor. We should like to have the Editors of the
Argus, or it's Bath Correspondent, point out few
of the acts of their leaders that have caused the