Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1841-06-18


GROWN up in the practice Of the Indian Depart
ment. which will require the appropriation OF
UPWARDS of 100000 to correct, and which
clam the immediate attention of Congress-
reAec,irg on the proper means of defend
ing The country, we cannot shut our eyes to the
consequences which the introduction and use
Of the power Of steam on the ocean are likely
to produce in wars between maratime States.
We cannot vet see the extent to which this
power may be applied liz bellgerent operations,
connecting itself as it does with recent i'm
provemen.s in the science Of gnnnefy and pro-
iectiles; but we need have no fear of being
left, in regard to these things, behind the most
active and skillful Of other nations, if the ge-
MUS and enterprise of our fellow-citizens re-
ceive proper encouragement and direction from
Government.
True wisdom would. nevertheless, seem to
dictate the necessity Of placing in perfect con-
dition those Notifications which are designed
for the protection OF cur principal cities and
roadsteads. For the defence OF our extensive
maritime coast, our chief reliance should be
placed on our navy, aided by those inventions
which are destined to recommend themselves
to public adopton-but no time should be lost
in placing our principal cities on the sea-board
and the lakes in a state of perfect security
from foreign assault. Separated as we are
from the countries Of the Old World, and in
much unaffected by their policy, We are happi-
Iy relieved from the necessity of maintaining
large standing armies in times Of peace. TIE
policy which was adopted by Mr.. Monroe
shortly after the conclusion of the late war
with Great Britain, Of preserving regularly
organized staff, sufficient for the command Of
large military force, should the necessity of
one arise is founded as well on economy as in
true wisdom. Provision is thus made, upon
filing up the rank and file, which can readily
be done upon any emergency, for the introduce
ton Of system of discipline both promptly
| and efficiently. All that is required in time o!
| peace is to maintain sufficient number OF men
| to guard our Notifications, TO meet any sudden
| contingency, and to encounter the hrst shock
| of war. Our chief reliance must be placed
on the militia; they constitute the great body
of national guards, and inspired by an ardent
love of country, will be ready at all times and
at all seasons to repair with alacrlty to Its de-
fence. 1t will be regarded by Congress,
doubt not, at a suitable time, as one of its
HIGHEST duties to attend to their complete Or
ganzation and discipline.
cannot avoid recurring, in connection with
this subject, to the necessity which exists for
adopting some suitable measure, whereby the
| unlimited creation of Banks by the States may
be corrected in future. Such result can be
most readily achieved by the consent of the
States, to be expressed in the form OF COM
pact among themselves, which they can easily
enter into with the consent and appreciation OF
this Government. A consent which might, in
| the present emergency Ut the public demands,
justifiably be given by Congress in advance Of
any action by the States as an inducement TO
snch action upon terms well defined by the act
Of tenGer. Such measure addressing itself
| to the calm reflection of the States, would find
| in the experience Of the past, and in the con-
| dition Of the present, much to sustain it-and
it is greatly to be doubted whether any scheme
Of finance can prove for any length Of time
successful, while the States shall continue in
the unres,raned power of creating Banking
corporations. This power can only be limited
| by their consent.
With the adoption Of financial agency of
a satisfactory character, the hope may be in
dulged that the country may once more re-
turn TO state Of prosperity-measures auxil
| larry thereto, and In some measure inseparably
connected with its success, will doubtless
claim The attention Of Congress. Among such
a distribution Of the sales Of public lands, pro-
vlded such distribution does not force upon
Congress the necessity of imposing upon COM
merce heavier burthens than those contempla-
ted by the act of 1881, would act as an efli-
cient remedial measure by being brought d.
rectly in aid of the States. AS one sincerely
devoted 10 the task of preserving just bal
| ance in our system of Government by main
tanning the States in a condition the most free
and respectable, and in the full possession of
all their power, | can no otherwise than feel
| dpsI far tho
ton to which the pressure on their finances
now subjects them. And while must repu-
date, as measure founded in error, and want
ing constitutional sanction, the slightest APP
proach to an assumption by this Government
of the debts of the States, yet can see in the
distribution advered to, much to recommend
it. The compacts between the proprietor
States and this Government expressly guaran-
| tee to the States all the benefits which may
arise from the sales. The mode by which
this is to be effected addresses itself TO the dis
cre,on of Congress as the trustee for the
| States and its exercise, after the most benefi-
cial manner, is restrained by nothing in the
grants or in the Constitution, so long as Con-
eress shall consult that equality in the dlstrl-
| button which the compacts require. In the
| present condition of some of the States, the
| question of distribution may be regarded as
substantially question between direct and in
direct taxation. If the distribution be not
mace in some form or other, the necessity
will daily become more urgent with the debtor
States for resort to an oppressive system of
direct taxation, or their credit, and necessarily
their power and influence, will be greatly d.
mnshed.
The payment of taxes, often in the most in
convenient and oppressive mode, will be ex-
acted 10 place of contributions for the most
part voluntarily made, and therefore compare
lively unoppressive. The States are emnhat-