Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1841-06-08

devoted 10 The task Of preserving just
balance in our sysetm of Government, by
the maintenance of the States in a condi-
ton The most free and respectable and in
the flill possession of all their power, !
can do no otherwise than feel desirous
for ,hen emancipation from The situation
TO which the pressure on their finances
now subjects them. And while must
repudate as a measure founded in error
and wanting constitutional sanction, the
slightest approach to an assumption BY
this Government of the debts ofthe States
vel can see, in the distribution adverted
io much TO recommend il. The com
vac,s between the proprietor States and
this Government expressly guarantee to
the States all the benefits which may ar
rise from the sales. The mode by which
this is 10 be effected addre sses ilselfto the
discretion of Congress, as the trustee for
The States, and its exercise, after the most
beneficial manner, is restrained by moth
inq in the grants or in the Constitution,
so long as Congress shall consult that
equality in the distribution which the com
pacts require. In the present condition
Of some Of the States, The question of dis
tribution may be regarded as substantially
a ouestion between direct and indirect
taxation. lfthe distribution be not made
in some form or other: the necessity
will daily become more urgent with the
debtor States for a resort 10 an Oppress-
i've system of direct taxation, or their
credit. and NECESSARILY their power
and influence, will be greatly diminish
ed.
Th9 payment Of taxes, after the most
inconvenient and oppressive mode Will
be exacted in place of contributions tor
the most part voluntarily made, and there
fore comparatively unoppressve' The
States are emphalically the constituents OF
this Government, and we should be en-
,ireIy regardless Of the objects held IN
view by them in the creation Of this Gov
ernment if we could be Indifferent to their
good. The happy effects Of such meas
ure upon all the States w'uld immediate
" be manifested. With the debtor States
it would effect the relief to great eXteu'
nG the citizens from a heavy burden ot d'
rect taxation which presses with severity
on The laboring classes, and eminenily as
sists in restoring the general prosperity :
An immediate advance would take place
in the price of the Stale securities, ant
the attitude Of the State would become
once more, as it should ever be lofty an'
erect. With States laburing under NJ
extreme pressure from debt, the Iun'
which lhev would derive from this source
wonid enable them to improve their con
diion in an eminent degree. So far a
this Government is concerned, approprla
tons TO domestic objects, approaching II
amount the revenue derived from th'
land sales, might be abandoned, and thu
system of unequal and therefore unlns
legislation would be substituted lnr one dispen
sing equality to all the members OF this roniddeT
acy Whether such distribution should be mad
directly to the States in the proceeds OF tn
sales, or in the form Of profits by virtue of tn
| |
reeds rs its basis, should such measure be con
templated by congress-, would well deserve II
consideration
Nor Won d such deposition Of the proceeds
( ,e sales in any manner prevent Congress fror
f time to time from rassing all necessary pre-emp
tion laws for the benefit of actual settlers, o
from making any new arrangement as tn the prlc
E Of public lands which might in future be esteem
: ed desirable.
beg leave particularly to call yom sttehtloI
to the accompanying report from the Secrelar
of War. Besides the present state OF the wa
which has So long afflicted the Territory of Flor
ida, and the various other matters oi interes
therein referred to, you will learn from it tha
the Secretary hes instituted an inquiry into abu
ssS which promises to dvelnp gross enornI'es il
comm xion with Indian treaties which have bee
negotia ed, aS well as in the expenditures for tn
removal nrh Subsistence Of the Indians, lie rep
resents, also olher Irregularities of serious ma
ture that asc grrwn up in the practica Of IN
Indian Department, which will require the mp
propriaton of upwards of Sl0a,NOO to correc
aud which claim the immediate attention q
Congress.
In reharting Oh the proper means Of defending
the country, we cannot shut nur eyes 70 tht
consequences which the Introduction and use o
the power 0f steam upon the ocean are HkeI'
tn prod ice in wars between mnratme states. W.
cannot yet see the extent TO which this powe
may he applied in bell gerent operations, con"ern
ing it.elfas il does with recent i"provements it
The science orgunnery and mojoctes, but w
nsed have no far ofbeing left, in regard 10 these
things, behind the most active and skillful o
other nations, if the genius aud enterprise o
our fellow citizens receive proper encourage
| 4; Irn,, I'm NnrNmnut
True wisdom would, nevertheless seem to die
tats the necessity Of placing in perfect condition
thosR fnrtfcatOns whirh are designed fnr the pro
lection of our principal cities and roadsteads. -
For the defence OF our extended marntime coast
our chief reliance should be placed on our navy
al led by those Inventions which are de'gnsd Il
recommend themseveS to public adoption. Blu
10 time should he lost in placing our Priucipa
cities on the sen.hoard and the lakes in state
Of entire security from foreign assault SepOro
ted as we are from the countries Of the old wo'ld
aud in much unaffected by their policy, we are
happily ra'ieved from the necessity of maintain
! ing large standing armies in time Ofpeace. Tx