Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-06-05

The late contest, Which terminated in the election
of Gen, Harrison to the Presidency was decided on
principles well known and openly avowed and, while
the sub-reasury received in the result the most dec-
ded condemnation, vet no other scheme of finance
seemed to have been concurred IN. 10 you, then,
who have come more directly from the body of our
common constituents submit the entire question, as
best qualified to give full exposition of their wishes
and opinions. shall be ready to concur with you in
the adoption of such system as you may propose, re-
serving TO myself the ultimate power of rejecting any
measure which may in my view of it conflict with the
Constitution or otherwise leopard the prosperity ofhe
country power which could not part with even if
would which any act Of yours will call into requsi-
ton.
i cannot avoid recurring in connection with the sub
jec, to the necessity which exists for the adopting
some suitable measure, whereby the unlimited
ton OF banks by the states may be corrected IN future
Such result can be most readily achieved by the con-
sent oil the States to be expressed IN the form OF
compact among themselves which hey.can only enter
into with the consent and appreciation OF this govern
ment a consent which might in the present einer-
gency of the Public demands justfably he given in
advance of any action by the states, inducement
TO such action upon terms well defined by the act of
tender. Such a measure, addressing itself to the
calm reflection of the states, would find in the exper-
fence of the past and the condition of the present,
much to sustain it, Audit is greatly to be doubted
whether any scheme of finance can prove for any len
9Th of time successful while the states shall continue
in the unresraned exercise of the power of creating
banking corporations. This power can only be linn
tied by their consent.
With the adoption of n financial agency Of a salts
factory character the hope may be INDUCED that the
country may once more return to state OF prosperity
Measures auxiliary thereto, and IN some measure, in
separately connected with its success, will doubtless
claim the attention of congress. Among such dis
trbuon of the proceeds ofthe sales public lands
provided such distribution does not force upon cen.
gress the necessity ofimposng upon commerce heav-
Ter burdens than those contemplated by the act OF
1888, would act an efficient remedial measure by
being brought directly in aid of the states. As one
sincerely devoted to the task ofpreservng just bal
ancc in our system of government by the nlantcn.
ance of the states in condition the most free and
respectable, and in the full possession of all their pow
er can no otherwise than feel disrous for their eman-
cipaton from the situation to which the pressure on
their finances now subjects them. And, while must
repudate as measure founded in error, and wanting
constitutional sanction, the slightest approach to an
assumption by this government of the debts of the
states, yet can see in the distribution advcrcd to-
much TO recommend it.
The compacls between the proprietor States and
this Government expressly guaranty 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 discretion Of Congress, the trustee for the
Statcs and its exercise, after the most beneficial
manner. is restrained by nothing in the grants in
the Constitution, so long ms Congress shall consult
that equality in the distribution which the compacts
require In the present condition Of some Of the
States, the question of distribution may be regardedas
substantially question between direct and indirect
taxation If the distribution he not made in some
urgent with the debtor States for resort TO nn OPP.
pressvc system of direct taxation their credit and
necessarily their power and influence, will be greatly
diminished The payment of taxes, after the most
announcement and oppressive mode, will be exacted in
place of ntrbutions for the most part voluntarily
made, and therefore comparatively unoppressive.
The states are cmphatcally the constituents of this
government; and should be entirely regardless Of
the objects held in view by them in the creation ofthis
government, if we could be Indifferent TO their good
The happy effects of such measure upon all the
states would Immediately be manifested. With the
debtor states it would effect the relief great extent
of the citizens from heavy burden of direct TAXATION
which presses with severity on the laborng classes,
and emnenty assist in restoring the general prosper
ity. An immediate advance would take place in the
price OF the state securities and the attitude of the
states would become once more, as it should evei be
lofty and erect. With states laboring under no ex
trene pressure from debt, the fund which they would
derive from this source, would enable them to i'm
prove their condition IN an eminent degree. SO far us
tins government is concerned, appropriations to do
nestle objects npproachngih amount to the revenue
derived from the land sales might be abandoned, and
therefore unjust legislation, would be substituted BY
one dispensing equality to all the members OF this
concderncy Whether such distribution should be
made directly TO the states in the proceeds of the
sales, or in the form of the profits by virtue of the OPP
cratlons of any fiscal agency having those proceeds
as lis basis, should such measure be contemplated by
congress, would well deserve lis consideration Nor
would such disposition of the proceeds of the sales,
| IN any manner prevent congress from time 10 time
/
benefit Of actual Settlers or from making any new
arrangement as 10 the price of the public lands which
nigh, in future be esteemed desirable.
beg leave particularly TO call your attention TO the
accompanying report from the Secretary Of War
Besides the present state of the which has long
afflicted the Territory of Florida ard the Other
matters of interest therein referred to, YOU will learn
from that the Secretary has instituted an inquiry
into abuses, which promises to develope gross enor
mites IN connection with Indian treaties which hav'
been negotiated as well as IN the expenditures for tn
removal and subsistence of the Indians. He repre-
sents also, other Irregularities of a serious nature tina
have grown up in the practice of the Indian Depart
mcn which will require the Appropriation Of upward
of 500 900 TO correct, and which claim the lmmedlat
attention of Congress.
In rejecting on the proper means of defending tn
country, we cannot shut our eyes to the consequence
which the introduction and Of the power Of sear
upon the ocean are likely to produce in wars between
marianne states. We cannot yet see the extent I
which this power NAV be applied in belgerenl opera
tons connecting itself as it does with recent improve
ments IN tie science of gunnery and proecties; br
we need have no fear ofbeing left in regard to hes
things behind the most active and skul of other nj
tons, the genius and enterprise of our fellow czen
, receive proper encouragement and direction irol
government.
True wisdom would, nevertheless, seem to dicta
the necessity of placing in perfect condition those fol
tfcaons which are designed Tor theprotecton of OF
q principal cities and roadsteads. For the defence
our cxtendedmaratmo coast, our chief reliance shou
, be placed on our navy, aided by those invention
'
. lie adoption. But time should be lost in pncin
our principal cities on the seaboard and the lakes in
state Of entire security from foreign assault Sepa
: ated are from the countries of the old world
= and in much unaffected by their policy, we IRE hal
!; PLY relieved from the necessity of maintaining lar!
il standing armies in times ofpeace. The policy whic
y was adopted by Mr.. Monroe, shortly after the col
! cuson Of the late war with Great Britain of preser
> ing regularly organized staff sufficient for the
mand of large military force, should necessi
=, for one arise is founded well in economy in tn
: wisdom. Provision is thus made, upon filling up Il
&c rank and file which readily be done on any eme
!, gency for the introduction Of sy,tem of discip
IL both promptly and efficiently. All thatis required
7 time of peace is to maintain sufficient number
a men guard our Notifications, to meet any sudd
- contingency, and to encounter the first shock Of
~ Our chief reliance must be placed on the mts. Tn
W constitute the great body of national guards, and,
~ spred by ardent love of country, will be fou
ready at all seasons to repair with alacrty to its
~ ~, fence. 1t will be regarded by Congress doubt
W a suitable time, of its highest duties ate
=. ~ TO their complete organization and discipline
w The state Of the navy pension fund requires
70 imme date attention OF Congress- BY the operati
y ofihe ac, oflhe 81 March, 1887 entitled can act
re the more equitable administration Of the navy pc
10 sion fund.-" that fund has leen exhausted. 1t will