Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1841-06-09
JEFFERSONIAN REPUBLICAN.

remedial measure by being brought directly in
aid Of the States. As one sincerely devoted 10
the task of preserving a just balance in our sys-
tenn of government, by the maintenance. Of the
States in condition the most free and respect
able, and in the full possession of all their pow
er can no otherwise than feel desirous for
their emancipation from the situation TO which
the pressure on their finances now subjects
them. And, while must repudiate as meas
ure founded in error, and wanting constitution
al sanction, the slig ghtest approach to assump-
| tion by this Government of the debts Of the
States, vet can see, in the distribution advert
| ed 10, much TO recommend it. The compacts
between the proprietor States and this Govern
ment 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, as the trus-
tees for the States; and its exercise, after the
most beneficial manner, is restrained by nothing
in the grants or in the Constitution, so long as
Congress shall consult that equality in the dis
,ribuiion which the compacts require In the
present condition of some of the States, the
question of distribution may be regarded as SUBJ
stantialy question between direct and indirect
taxation If the distribution be not made in
some form or other, the necessity will daily be-
come more urgent with the debtor States for
resort to an oppressive system Of direct taxa
tion, or their credit, and necessarily their pow
er and influence, will be greatly diminished.
The payment of taxes, after the most inconve-
nient and oppressive mode, will be exacted in
place of contributions for the most part volunta-
rily made, and therefore comparatively unop-
pressive. The States are emphatcally the
constituents of this Government; and we should
be entirely regardless of the objects held in
view by them in the creation of this Govern
ment 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 re-
lief to great extent ofthe citizens from heavy
burden Of direct taxation which presses with
severity on the laboring classes, and eminently
assist in restoring the general prosperity. 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
ever be, lofty and erect With States laboring
under no extreme pressure from debt, the fund
which they would derive from this source
would enable them to improve their condition
in an eminent degree. So far as this Govern
ment is concerned, appropriations 10 domestic
objects, approaching in amount the revenue de-
rived from the land sales, might be abandoned,
and thus system of unequal and therefore un-
just legislation would be substituted by one dis
pensing equality to all the members of this con-
federacy. Whether such distribution should be
made directly to the States in the proceeds Of
the sales, or in the form of profits by virtue of
the operations of any fiscal agency having those
proceeds as its basis, should such measure be
contemplated by Congress, would we'll deserve
its consideration. Nor would such disposition
of the proceeds of the sales in any manner pre-
vent Congress from time TO time from passing
all necessary pre-emplion laws for the benefit
of actual settlers, or from making any new ar
rangement as to the price of the public lands
which light in future be esteemed desirable.
beg leave particularly to call your atten-
tion TO the accompanying report from the Sec
retary of War Besides the present state ofthe
war which has SO long afflicted the Territory
of Florida, and the various other matters of in
terest therein referred to, you will learn from
it that the Secretary has Instituted an inquiry
into abuses which promises to develope gross
enormities in connexion with Indian treaties
which have been negotiated, as well as in the
expenditures for the removal and subsistence of
the Indians. He represents, also, other irreg-
ulari,ies of serious nature that have grown up
in the practice of the Indian Department, which
will require the appropriation of upwards of
100000 TO correct, and which claim the i'm
mediate attention of Congress.
In rejecting 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 upon the ocean are like
y 10 produce in wars between maritime States
We cannot yet see the extent to which this
power may be applied in belligerent operations,
connecting itself as j; does with recent improve
ments in the science of gunnery and projec-
tiles; but we need have no fear of being left, in
regard to these things, behind the most active
and skllul of other nations, if the genius and
enterprise of our fellow citizens receive proper
encouragement and direction from Government
True wisdom would, nevertheless, seem to
dictate the necessity Of placing in perfect con-
dilion those Notifications which are designed
for the protection of our principal cities and
roadsteads For the defence of our extended