The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-07-09
SCHEMES OF THE ADMINISTRATION.

In recent speech in the Senate of the United
States Mr. Calhoun, in his usual mastery style of
analysis glanced at the projects of the adminislra-
ton, completely exposing the receptions they were
founded on, and their evil tendency, shonld they
be forced upon the country;
He said he made his calculation from the data
furnished by the Secretary; he maintained that
there was no deficit in the Treasury but of the Sc
cretary's own creating; there was no demand on
the Treasury, and if there were, he would prefer
giving ii any limo the power TO issue Treasury
notes or Exchequer bills.
He put the question to the other side Of the Sem
ate why there was such extreme sociude in ma
king out the report, 10 show the Treasury in bad
condition; was it because it was real, SOL No,
the administration had system of measures 10
carry out, and ii was necessary 10 show the one to
carry on, the other. What were those measures
First, funded debit second, a national bank:
third, nm increased taXaton and fourth, and last,
distributing the proceeds of the public lands
There was 10 be 4 national bank, six millions of
the stock TO be taken by the Government, aud then
nine millions, or the fourth instalment, de5t to
the States. What right had the General Govern
ment 10 subscribe for the States To effect that
purpose, the Secretary had taken a liberty with
language which no public officer had ever before
done, We subscribe nine millions in the name of
the States, and then we are to pay interest for
debt due TO us, when it is represented as debt
due from us.
Next there was heavy tax in the shape Of
taril-uriices free Of duty were to be raised up to
20 per cent, and all under were 10 be brought up
to the same amount, which would increase tina bur
dens twelve millions of dollars to meet debt
which grows out OF the establishment Of new
bank--a bank made out of the credit of the gov
eminent and not of individuals. What has been
the motive 10 pass these measures at this time
The answer was given from the other side of the
House, ",o relieve the distress Of the cOuntry;'
What was the country? Was it the taX-pNying
people who lived on their own industry, and asked
nothing from the Govcrnmcnt--woud it relieve
them Would debt relieve The real people, for
he considered only as people those who support
ed the Commemorative it relieve them -
Would debt relieve the real people, for he con-
sdored only as people those who supported the
Government, not those who drew their support
from it, Would an additional tariff of twelve nil
lions relieve them; Would it relieve the people
to put permanent mortgage on the public domain:
Was this to be the relief The people were promised
pending the late political canvass? TO whom
would such measures bring relief? TO the hun
dred thousands of persons dependent Oh Govern
ment for support, aud tber dependents, and then
the holders of State stocks, and the merceuurv
classes in the Legislature, to all such it would
bring substantial relief These were the old meas
ures which had split the parties of the country fifty
years ago, and which were now sought to be re-
newcd, with one supcradded, still more obnoxious,
more unconstitutional, more unhoy than all the
rost distributing the proceeds of the public lands
Yes, this session was called exclusively with the
view of rebuilding the old Hamilton policy, with
the land distribution superadded. If this be pass
ed said Mr. c., will moi say it will bring about
revolution, but that it is revolution already con-
summarized From the Government Of the people
it would become moncyrd oigarchy, more cor
rupt, more eyacting Than the history of any country
ever before furnished an example of. Once adopt
these measures, let them pass into law, and the
power of the people would be forever gone.
A true lover of the people would never impose
cent tax unless indispensable, nor then so long
as he could lop off any useless expenditure, Had
the Secretary shown any disposition 10 cast olluse
less expenditures Can he say there is no room
for relrcnchment, when the charges were made
against the last administration Of extravaganza in
the use Of the public money, which he, Mr. c. ad-
mitted had been too great
I)ld II not become Them, after AL theF cries OF
retrcnchment and economy, to practise it, or did
they mean to admit that it was all deusion in
tended to cheat and deceive the people; When
public men break their promises, the people will
soon lose their respect for them, aud think politics
mere game at which the most corrupt will be the
greatest gamers.
Mr. C.. replied to the remarks Of the Senators
who spoke about "dcaling in nbslracions,' and
said they were for action! dCiioli-that he would
discuss the subject when, as he really believed,
there was an attempt 10 introduce II system which
would plumber the people. Bonapartc dsllked alb.
slraclions when they came in his way; and so did
Cromwell, and so did any other highway robher,
when the laws stood between him and his plumber.
Mr. C.. said these schemes would be the means of
increasing the power ofthe Executive, hy enabling
him to indulge in exciting schemes, dGmomlizng
and corrupiiSg in themselves. His views in rela-
ton TO the Suh-Trensurv, he snd remained still
unchanged; the more he considered it. the more
his conscience and judgment approved the stand he
took in 81"