Lexington union., 1841-02-13

on the consequences growing OUT OF
refusal, as making It expedieul 10 pay them.
As TO his remarks relative to The fedora
government pouncIng on us, for lhe beneli'
# spectators, by assuming our debts, and
leyying high tariff 10 pay them AND
more, &c. beg leave TO waive, at least
lar the present: But Mr.. Howard tells
US that foreign governments lswll authorize
reprlsas on Mississippi cotton, for lhc'r
collection. Now if II was proven To bt
expedient, for those governments 10 DO g"
1t would hen become our duty TO consldet.
the expediency Of paying the bonds, e
avoid those consequences.
But il is by no means probable tina, az
intelligent government, living IN glass
house, will throw stones, by seJhg a pre-
cedent, that would tend directly 70 her
own destruction. Bnt tie United Safes,
says Mr.. Howard, threatened. war against
France, for wiIhhIliing debts due TO our
ciliZens s-true--but with all the talents and
ingenuity Of that gentleman, il would be
hlrd for him to conound the Mississippi
dubts with those of France, as smIlnr.-
II anv of Jha citizens of this government
shonld think proper TO speculate IN Euro.
pean stocks or bonds, it would hardly be
thought expedien, for the United States
TO 90 10 war for their colleetion-bul If the
property OF our citizens sloull be taken
by force, in violation OF the aws ofnations,
then our government is bond on princi
pies of expediency, TO demaad payment
Otherwise our commerce would be DESTROY
| ed And affirm without fear of contra
diction, from any person acquainted with
the history OF the case, that France paid
the debt ooly Oh principles oiexpedIency
aud not from sense OF Justice 10 III
claimants.
lam ns deeply impressed Ps any man.
# the great importance, of srict ob.erv.
ance of the laws Of nations--lat contend
that 10 refuse TO pay the Mississippi STAT
bonds, is NOT violation of lhos, Iaws.--
Mr.. Howard, however, insists th,t il is so !;
and, without any disposition for contro.
versy on the suhject, will merely say N
reply, that II he be correct, the Executive
AMI Court Of nations, whoever they be
have been very remlss in the discharge Of
their duty: for according to his own show
ing, Englend, France, Austria, Prussia,
Rusia, Holland, Spain, Norway, ard the
smaller Sat have all respectively refused
to pay their jnst debts.
But inability to pay, says Mr.. Howard,
ls as ample an excuse for nation as an
Individual; which, as general rule, is
whcly untenable, and unworthy Of the
mind from which it eminated. How can
such rule he applied to governments? !?
Who is 10 determine whether Safe is
able or unable 10 pay? | Great Britain
be unable 10 pay her jast debts, hy what
rule can she be justified in her extravnsani
expenditures, to support the Queens es-
iablIshment, the dignity Of her pay.ielow
/ Che Abolition President, } and hundreds OF
ether instances, equally una ecessary. Per.
lhaps it would be proper, under Mr.. How
ARDS code, TO appoint commissioners 10
wind up the Iusolyent concern, and save
all that is possible for the creditors,
As TO Mr.. Howard's remarks re!atiye
to The Union, Pl4niers', aid Rail Road
Banks, have no objection The bond
holders are welcome to all three, and the
Brandon, Grenada, and dozen such 9th.
ers into the bargain; bot to fall on The
individual property Of our citizens, ahour
their consent would be repognant 10 the
fundamental principles Of our government
! The principles, for which am conten
ding, are ihal governments are bound by
no lundumenta law, but that OF expedleo.
cy; aud that all other laws by which they
are morally bound, exists only in tfeatie.
ana the Common usages ofnatlons. Tha
all governments, our own not excepted
have refused 20 pay, even, their ISL debis
honestly contracted, according 10 law
whenever il was expedieni 10 do so. Tia
every ciilzen is morally bound 10 snpror
iha, side Of this bond question, which b,
conceivrs 10 he prolncllye Of The mos