Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1841-01-02


uTe Of reform the patronage OF the Ee1eral
Govornnent--a wise policy IN a. uoV>
eramsnts, but more especially SO 10 one
like ours, which works well only in pro-
portion as il is made to rely for It's support
upon the unbiased AMI unadultersted
opinions OF its constituents; do away,
forever, all dependence on corporate bodies
either il the raising, collecting, safe keep
ing. or disbursiOg the public revenues; and
place the Government equally above the
temptation of fostering a dangerous, and
unconstitutional institution at home, or the
necessity of adapting its policy to the
views and interests of still more tormlda>
bic money power abroad,
It's by adopting,a and carrying out these
principles, under circumstances the most
arduous and discouraglng, that the attempt
has been, thus far successfully, TO demon
sra,o to the people of the United States
that national bank at all times, and u
national debt, except it be incurred at d
period when the honor and safety of the
nation demand the temporary sacrifice of
policy, which should only be abandoned
N such exigencies, are not merely unnec-
essarv, but in direct and deadly hostility
70 the principles of their Government, and
10 their own permanent welfare.
The progress made in the Development
of these positions, appears in the proceeds
ing sketch Of the past history and present
state of the financial concerns of the Fed
eral Government. The facts there stated
fully authorize the assertion, that all the
purposes for which this government was
Instituted have been accomplished during
the four years Of greater pecuniary embar-
rassmenl than we ever before experienced
10 time OF peace, and in the face Of oppo-
sition as formidable as any that was ever
before arrayed against the policy Of an
administration; that this has been done
when the ordinary expenses Of the Govern
ment we're generally decreasing, as well
from the operations Of the laws as the
condition of the country, without the cre-
alton Of permanentpublic debit or mourning
any liability, than such as the ordinary
resources Of the Government will speedily
discharge, and without the agency Of
national bank.
If this view of the proceedings of the
Government, for the period it embraces,
be warranted by the facts as they are
known TO exist; ifthearm and navy have
been sustained to the full extent authorized
by law, and which Congress doamcd
sufficient for the defence OF the country
and the protection of its rights and its
honors; if its civil and diplomatic service
has been equally sustained; if ample pro.
visions has been made for the administra,
ton of Justice and the execution of the
laws; if The claims upon public gratitude
in behalf Of the snliia"s e 49,
have been promptly met and faithfully
,s.evs.ur < vvi, If there has been no failures
in defraying the very large expenditures
growing out of that long continued and
saIutnrg policy Of peacefully removing
the Indians to regions olcomparative safety
and prosperity; if the public faith has at
oil times, and every where, been most
scrupulously maintained by a prompr
discharge Of the numerous, extended, and
diversified claims on the Treasury; if all
ihese great and permanent objects, with
many Others that might be stated, have, for
series Of years, marked by peculiar
obstacles and difficulties, been successfully
accomplished without resort to a pcgna.
nent debt or the aid Of national bank,
have we not right to expect that policy
the object of which has been to sustain the
public service independently of either of
these fruitful sources of discord, will
receive the final sanction ola people, whose
unbiased and fairly eIici:ed judgment upon
public attllrs, Is never ultimately wrong?
That embarrassments in the pecuniary
concerns OF individuals, of unexampled
extent and duration, have recently existed
IN this, as in other commercial nations
IS undoubtedly true. To suppose it nee
essary now to trace these reverses to their
sources, would be reflection on the intel.
llgence OF my fellow citizens Whatever
may have been the obscurity in which the
SUBJECT was involved during the earlier
stages OF the reyuIsiou, there cannot now
be many by whom the whole question is
not fully understood.
Not deeming it within the constitutional
powers sof the General Government 10
repair private losses sustained by reverses
IN business having no connection with the
prone service, either by direct arproprla-
,'ons from the Treasury, or by special
legislation designed to secure exclusive
privileges and mmunities 10 individuals or
classes, IA preference 10, and at the ex.
Ppense OF the great majority necessarily
oeoarred from any participation in them,
no attempt to do so has been either made,
recommended or encouraged by the present
Executive,