Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1840-12-17

inc government were generally decreasing, as wen
from the operation Of the Jaws, as tho condition Of
the country; without the creation of a permanent
public debt, or mourning any liability, other than
such the ordinary resources Of the Government
will speedily discharge, and without the agency Of
a national bank.
Iflhs view Of the proceedings Of the Government
sor the period it embraces be warranted by the facts
they known to exist; If the army aud navy
have been sustained the full extent authorized by
law, and which Congress deemed sufficient for the
defence ofthc country asd the protection Gifts rights
and its honor; if its civil and diplomatic service has
been equally sustained il ample provision has been
made for the administration Of justice and the exc
euion Of the laws If the claims upon public graft
tude in behalf OF the soldiers of the Revolution have
been promptly and faithfully discharged; fthere
have been no failure in defiaying tie very large ex-
pendtures growing out Of that long-continued and
salutay policy ofpeacefully removing the Indians TO
regions OF comparative safety and prosperity; Il The
public faith has oil times and every where, been
most scrupnlously maintained by aprompt discharge
Of the numerous, extended, and diversified claims
on the Treasury ;if all these great and permanent
objects. with many others that might be stated.
have, for a series Of years, marked by peculiar OBJ
stacles and difficulties, been successfully accom-
plished without a resort permanent debt, or the
aid Of National bank, have we not right to cx.
pect that policy, the object Of which has been to
sustain the public service independently of either Of
these fruitful sources Of discord, will receive the
final sanction of people whose unbiased and fair
ly elected judgement upon public affairs ia never
ultimately wrongi
That embarrassments in the pecuniary concerns
ofindyiduals, Of unexamped extent and duration.
have recently existed in this ia other commercial
nations, is undoubtedly true. 10 suppose it neces-
sary now TO these revefses to their sources,
would be reflection the intelligence of my fel-
low-citizens. Whatever may have been the obscu-
rity in which this subject involved during the
earlier stages of the revulson there cannot now be
many by whom the whole question is not fully I'M
deIstood.
Not deeming it within the constitutional powers
Of the General Government to repair private losses
sustained by in business having connex.
ion with the public service either by direct appro-
pristions from the Treasury, or special legislation
designed to secure exclusive privileges and immuni-
ties to individuals OF classes in preference to, and
atthe expense OF, the great majority necessarily de-
barred from any participation in them, no attempt
to do so has been either made, recommended, or
encouraged. by tho present Executive.
Ii is believed, however, that the great purposes
for the attainment OF which the Federal Government
was instituted have no, been lost sight Of lntrust-
ed only with certain limited powers, cautiously emu
merated, distinctly specified, and defined with a
precision and clearness which would seem to defy
msconstruction, it has been my constant aim to
confne myself within the limits clearly marked
out and carefully guarded.
Having always boon of opinion that the best pre-
sorvatve the union of the States is be found in
total abstinence from the exercise Of all doubtful
powers the part Of the Federal Government, RAJ
Their than in attempts to them by loose
construction of the constitution, an ingenious
petversion Of It's words, have enieavored avoid
recommending any measure which had reason to
apprehend would, in the opinion of conside-
rable minority of my fellow-citzens be regarded
trenching the rights of the States, the proyis-
ions of the hallowed instrument of our Union
Viewing the aggregate powers of the Federal Gov
ernmsnt voluntary concession Of the States, it
seemed to me that such only should be exercised as
we at the time intended to be given
have been strengthened too in the propriety of
this course by tho conviction that all efforts to go
beyond this, tend only TO produce dissatisfaction
and distrust, to excite jealouses, and TO provoke
resistance. Instead Of adding strength TO the Fed
era Government, even when successful, they must
ever prove source of incurable weakness BY alien
atng portion of those whose adhesion is indispen-
sable to the great aggregate of united strength, and
whose voluntary attachment 10, in my estimation,
far essential TO the efficiency of government
strong in the best Of all possible sttength-the
tdence and attachment of all those who make up
its constituent elements
Thus believing, IL has been my purpose 10 secute
to the whole people, and TO every member of the
confederacy, by general, salutaty, and equal laws
alone, the benefit of those republican institutions,
which it was the end and aim of the constitution to
establish, and the impartial influence Of which H. in
my judgment. indispensable TO their preservation.
cannot bring myself TO believe that the lasting
happiness of the people, the prosperity of the States
or the permanency of their Union, can Re maintain
ed by giving preference priority to any class of
citizens in the distribution Of benefits privileges,
or by the adoption of measures which enrich one
portion OF the Union at the expense OF anoher nor
can see in the interference OF the Federal Govern
meni with the local legislation and reserved rights
of the States, remedy for present, or security
against future dangers.
The FIRST, and assuredy not the least, important
step towards relieving the country from the condi-
tiun into which it had been plunged by excuses in
trade, banking and credits of all kinds, was to place
the business transactions Of the Government itself
on solid basis; giving and receiving in all cases
value for value, and neither countenancing en-
couragng in others that deusive system Of credits
from which il has been found So difficult to escape
and which has left nothing behind it bur the wrecks
that mark its fatal career.
That the financial affairs Of the Government are
now, and have been during the whole period OF
these widespreading difficulties, conducted with a
strict and invaiable regard to this great fundamen
tai principle, and that by the assumption and main.
tenance Of the stand thus taken the very thresh
old Of the approaching crisis, more than by any
other cause causes whatever, the community al
large has been shielded from the incaculable evil,
Of general and indefinite suspension of specie pay
ments, and consequent humiliation, for the whole
period it might have lasted, of iu,t and invaria
bic standard of value, WILL it is believed, this pc
Rod, scarcely be questioned,
steady adherence, on the part of the Govern
menf to the policy which has produced such saluta
~ results, aided by judicious State legislation and
what is not less important, by the industry, enter
prise perseverance, and economy of the American
people, cannot fail to raise the whole country at
early period, a state of solid ard enduring pros
periiy, not subject to be again overthrown by the
suspension of banks or the explosion of bloatec
credit system II ia for the people and their repre-
sentaiives, TO decide whether not the permanent
welfare OF the country (Which all good citizens equal
| ly desire however widely they may differ as TO The