Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-01-02
THE MESSAGE.

We present this document to our readers to-
day, and although we condemn many OF its doc.
trines we think it is written in good style. The
President makes no allusion to the recent cleo.
ton, and it would have been we'll for himself
and his party, had he omitted to speak of several
things quite as foreign to the real subjects which
required his notice. as the recent demonstration
Of public sentiment.
By some curious process OF reasoning, Mr. V.
B. is enabled to compliment himself and the
country upon the ability with which the finances
of the nation have been managed! He does
this, we presume, by assuming as a postulate
that SolUsnt Treasury is one Of the greatest
banes to free government, and hence claims an
exemption from having entailed any such evil
on his successor. He admits that the Government
had many financial difficulties to contend with,
and ascrbes it 10 the fact that the distribution oil
the surplus revenue was progressing when he
commenced his duties, and the suspension Of the
Banks in 1887. Although Gen. Jackson ex-
tolled the banks in such unmeasured terms, as in.
duced the party to believe we had reached the
climax Of financial perfection, Mr.. Van Buren,
no,o admits that the suspension was caused by
the over banking Of the local branches, and that
we are realizing such result as the wings pre-
dicted when opposing the State Bank Deposite
scheme.
He makes some statements which we hope
may be found true, but with all our confidence
in his integrity, we acknowledge our total ncre
duity. We refer to his statement that all de-
mands against the Government have been me-
promptly, without creating permanent debt
Has the President forgotten the various cases Of
protested drafs?-and as 10 the difference between
a permanent and temporary debt, we appre
bend the people are quite Indifferent They vii
hardly comprehend the peculiar advantage Of ow
ing debt which must be paid during the coming
year, over one to be paid three, five or ten year
hence.
Mr.. Van Buren, takes great credit to hmsel
for having kept the wheels of Government il
motion without having to resort to toreig,
loan! To this we can only say, he is easily sat
isfed with himself. His immediate predecessors
paid off from ten to fifteen millions Of the public
debt annually, after paying the other expenses o
Government, and he lays claim 10 commentator
because, forsooth, he has been able to make
ends meet by contracting debt that is not ''per
nanent" He is still in favor OF the Sub Treas
ury, and against National Bank, and makes
several objections to the latter which we consid
er untenable, but which we have neither TINT
nor inclination to notice at present. He modi
fes his former declaration, "hat the people art
in the habit OF expecting too much Of the Gov
ernment," in such manner as places the senti
ment on a quite different basis from the one i
originally occupied. The ne,o doctrine is, tina
no particular class Of private individuals have
right 10 ask the Governmental repair their losses
at the expense OF the whole people. This is al
right; but is different doctrine from the on
that the people have no right to ask the Govern
ment for such legislation as is calculated Il
promote the general welfare. He makes Ii
"particular recommendation" Of any thing il
the report of the Secretary Of War; says nothing
about the Standing Army Of 100000 men, ant
acknowledges the superiority OF Florida lndian
over American troops by attributing 'the lon
continuance Of the war to causes beyond the con
troll OF Government" Taken as a whole, tn
message is entitled 10 tolerable reputation as
State paper, and as it was prepared under tn
influence Of such feelings as a return to private
life suggested, we feel inclined to offer our hes
wishes for his happiness and prosperity.