Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-05-20

sideraiion of false economy ought to be
suffered 10 stand in the way of the accom-
I plishmen, of this great purpose. Such,
we know, was the opinion of the late la.
mented President, and such, we believe.
TO be the opinion of his successor. 81
shall shrink from no proper responsibility
attached to my station" SKID Gen. HAIR
RrsoN, two DAYS before his las, illness,
10 q friend with whom be conversed. al
shall recommend to CoNGREss large ap-
preparations for the pubIic dcfeaees. Ii
they shall not respond 10 my recommen.
datlons, or shall refuse or neglect to pro-
vide the ways and means TO carry them
into effect, with them viii rest the respon.
sibIity, shall have done my duty. -
Believing tina; this sentiment of the late
President reflects the true policy Of the
Government, and the paramount duty OF
Congress as well as the Executive, we
have no idea ot any reduction of the az.
gregate amount OF the expenditures Of the
Government. An Augmentation Of the
revenue to some extent is therefore ineyi-
table. Whether that augmentation is to
1 be secured by resort to direct taxation
and excuses, or by modification of the
duties upon imports, cannot be long, if Tor
moment, a question among the Repre-.
sentatives of People who are free, and
who are determined to remain so.
| A revision of the duties apon imports,
therefore, with view 10 revenue, is one
of the main objects which require the al.
tention Of Congress a, the Extra Session.
In modifying those duties, lei no preienee
/ be given for an anti-tarif clamor by any
attempt to force or unduly favor particu-
lar arts or products Of our own country by
high duties or prohibitions. Not that IN
levyiug the revenue We would depart
from the policy, common to all nations,
and not Incompatible with the most en-.
larged notion Of free trade, OF discrimi-
nation of American industry. But let a
just arrangement be made, in which the
principle OF discrimination favor of Ia.
Dor may be sufficiently adhered to, and
yet large portion ofour imports left suf-
ticiently free for ali the purposes Of u
/ prosperous bOaliiiSibts
The third great object which requires
the action Of Congress at the Extra Ses-
sion is the condition Of the currency, and
the questions connected with that most ur.
gent aud engrossing interest. The re.
peal Of the Sub. Treasury act, that odlous
measure so unequvecaly condemned by
the voice OF the People and the experience
of the Government, would appear to be a
thing of course, about which there can
hardly be diversity of sentiment. Then
comes the vexed question, what financial
agent shall be employed, in lieu OF il, to
receive, keep, and pay out the public
money! Our own opinion on that sub
lect has been too often expressed not to
be known to our readers. Believing that
all the difficulties ana embarrassments
under which the People and Govern
ment have painfully Misunderstanding
the degraded currency, 1uctuatng ex.
changes, and pnralyzed commerce and
industrv-have been the necessary con-
sequence Of the unwise policy Of the two
last administrations, we are of opinion
/
to be found ia n restoration Of tho state OF
things under which tho country was pros
porous and happy before the action Of the
Government itself made them otherwise.
In other words, we believe in the expedi.
ency, and indeed necessity, of National
Bank, TO discharge the double functions
OF fiscal agent for the Government and
a regulator of the currency for the Peo-
Pile. This is the opinion Of the Editors Of
this paper, in repeating which now aud
here they do not pretend, not being au-
thorzed, to represent the views Of the
Executive.
That central fiscal agent, under what
ever form or modification its details, is
necessary and proper, if not Indispensable,
to the collection Of the revenue and the re-
gulation of the exchanges, (nn essential el-
ement Of commerco,) we believe to be the
conviction of nearly every intelligent per-
son who has had occasion to examine the
subject at all. What form that agent
shall assume, what Offices il shall perform,
/ by what name it shall be called, where it
I eiidii uC io@"tSu, ~" SofVtuDH, W., SVH-
stltute mass of considerations, out Of
which possibly some central agent might
be devised, and established, free from the
objections of those who have conscien.
tious scrupIes against establishing Bank
60 nOmine, and from the objections against
Banks as now organized, or at least as
now admins stored, amongst us.
If, owing to the scruples which have
heretofore prevailed in some Of the South.
ern States against National Banking In
stitution, it shall be lounl impracticable
to unite majority OF the two Houses in
favor of any such Institution, then let
those who entertain those scruples bring
forward their measure; and lei that mea-
sure be tried.
The adoption Of any rational system,
under which the public revenues can be
so managed as to establish some circulat.
ing medium of equal value in all parts of
the United States (Which nothing short Of
he power. of the General Government can
ellect) will restore tranquility to the pub
lie mind, which is preferable to continued
agitation under any circumstances. We
doubt, however, whether opposition to the
establishment of a central fiscal agent
will now be found to be the sentiment Of
majority of the Representatives Of South.