Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1841-08-17

third set 10 collect duties to make up the
defciency-ln this way unnecessarily
taxing the people. Thus, then, when yOu
have assembled Osiensibly for the purpose
of making provision for an anticipated de-
fct in the revenue, the very first act you
do is to distribute money TO the States!-
And all this yOu call Wing refOrml
II is true the great State which ] have
the honor in part to represent has deb
Of some thirteen millions of dollars, which
has been contracted in the prosecution
of her public works, but we can discharge
this debt without placing ourselves in the
humilating position of beggars;at the
public treasury asking for aims. We
have hardy and enterprising population
of more than million and half of souls
occupying 25, SOC, 900 acres ofland, most
of il as productive as can be found in the
world, and taxable property TO the amount
of nearly one hundred and thirty millions
In most cases our money has been invest
ed; and our canals. roads, and other pub.
lie works, constitute The pride of our
State. There the spirit Of improvement
has advanced with rapid strides; and the
day is not far distant when the glorious
State will stand, in point of numbers and
wealth, second in this great Corfedera-
cy. When her immense resources are
fully developed, this debt Of Thirteen mil
lions will dwindle into insignfcance.-
Unwilling as am to do any thing to
compromit the honor or dignity of my
native State, could not consent TO see
her kheeling at the Government treasury
and asking for yearly pension. We
have contracted our debt for local pur-
ses, and we are, trust, 100 independent
as we'll as generous to ask our brethren
Of other States TO pay it. Aad if we
should ever ask the Generel Government
for aid, we trust it will no! be extended
as in this distribution bill, by increasing
the burdens upon us.
The effect of this distribution bill will
be TO break down and anniblatc the inde-
pendence ofthe States, and TO make them
The mere stipendarieS of the General
Government 1t is, in effect, levying a
tax on the people 10 collect money for
distribution. It separates the tax-levying
from the Incorporating power, and
thus destroys one OF the most beneficial
checks upon mprovideNt legislation. 1t
makes the General Government The col
leclor of revenue, and the State govern.
menls the aparopriators. 1t plac es our
State governments in The degrading atti-
tude Of pensioners upon the public crib:
1t robs the people, whilst it processes 10
aid them. 1t is the first step towards an
assumption of the State debts, and will
operate TO enhance the value of the bonds
in the hands of foreign brokers and stock
iobbers. 1t will lead TO an effort, on the
part of the States deeply indebted, 10
bring about general assumption, which
will produce the most disastrous cOnse-
quences. In short, it will do as much 10
destroy The sovereignty Of the States, and
consolidate all power in the General Gov
ernment, as any other act that could be
proposed.
Having given away, as Ghave already
shown, three millions per annum you now
propose; by this bill, to borrow Twelve
millions Of dollars, payable not before
1850. Having emptied the Treasury,
YOU will now create national debt, and
thus lay broad foundation for your ma
tional bank. 1t has always been contend
ed by portion Of the whig party-and
indeed, the dnctrine has been boldly a
vowed in this debate--that funded
debt is an national blessing. This was
favorite dogma with Alexander Hamilton
the leader Of Tho fedora party 10 l79l,
and is believed by his followers 10 his day,
but, apprehend, is repudated by the
great mass of the American people,
Plain democrats believe debt curse
rather than blessing. The State Gov
Eenments are already in debt upwards Of
Two hundred millions Of dollars, upon
bonds held mainly by foreigners: for the
payment of these bonds, the lands in the
respective States ale in effect mortgaged.
You now propose by this bill to mortgage
the productive industry of our people to
the amount of twelve millions more
and this, too, in this time Of profound
peace. These bonds, like those issued
by the States, will eventually fall into the
hands Of foreigners, and thus the people
IwiII be taxed to pay interest on Stale and
national debt at the same time. The
people of this country will then pay some
Twelve or thirteen millions per annum in
the shape Of interest. Begin this nation9l
debt, and national extravaganza will
be the inevitable result. Instead Of
The plain republican simplicity Of our
ancestors we shall have a splendid
Government and an impoverished people
Like England, from whom we are bor-
rowing too many Of our political dogmas,
we will enrichlhe Government by max
ing one half our countrymen pauPers.--
Ilslead Of reducing your expenditures by