Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-12-09

ErpreSs, (whose principal editor was in this
city when he wrote, and enjoyed probably free
access to the best sources of information,) the
following observations, in a letter from Wash
ington under date of the 25th inst, which we
recommend to the serious consideration of all
our readers, in all parts of the country Int.
"Ihe President OF the United States, and o.
ther Official characters, are frequently receiv-
ing letters from the other side of the Atlantic,
complaining to the authorities of our Federal
government OF the nonpayment of interest,
particularly III the case Of the bonds of the
State OF Mississippi. 1t is u hard case, they
justly think, that they do not receive divi-
bends on those bonds, and they are but little
prepared to learn that the question of repudia-
ting the debt altogether has been submitted to
a popular vote. The impression Of the best
educated classes in England yet seems to be,
that the Federal Government has some power
over the States to make them pay the interest
on their bonds. They complain to the Fed
eral Government as if that Government was in
the omission of a duty; and when, as is no
doubt the fact, the Federal authorities answer
Kindly, but truly, that they can do nothing,
that the debts of the States are none of theirs,
Tor which they are responsible, the answer
sounds harsh and wrong, in foreign ears, pro-
voklng wrath and recriminaton"
III now to national causes of complaint,
national grievances, so believed to be, national
wrongs, and national pride, be added personal
suiferings, and sense ofpersonal wrong, who
can calculate the effects upon the British pop
u!ar mind !? II to the clamors of the British
press be added private cries of robbery perpe-
trated by and under the sanction of States,
who can set bounds to indignation thus en-
kindled, or foresee its resultsl / have no
doubt, therefore, that the course of Mississip-
pi, and the doctrines of repeal and srepuda-
tom that are afoat will add new fuel to the
flame already enkindled against us and |
have no doubt, too, that for this very cause the
British Radicals, to embroil us more with their
fatherland, will preach the cry of Reputation
and repeal"
1--WE can do nothing for the States, as
Federal government, in the assum ption of
their debts; every body almost is owning that
Inc indirect aid given by the bill distributing
the proceeds of the public lands it is already
proposed by the Radicals to repeal, and by the
Nullihers to nullify for South Carolina, or
rather MIR. CALHOUN, (the same thing, we are
told, will not take a cent! Of that Though,
III passing, innocent notification it is) we may
ioiiis,fh, ZIG alllleuO Is welcome to all the
glory, If it allows other States all the gold.-
The Lord help all who are blockheads enough
to press upon her what MIR. CALHOUN does
not want! This proposal, however, to repeal
and nullify the indirect aid we can alone give
to the States shows what's akin to reputation,
IT not reputation itself, viz. the disposition of
party to allow no means Of paying off State
debts, or to obstruct all means the Federal
Government can alone lawfully give. 1t is
this bad spirit afioat that does harm abroad
and at home. 1t is as if we had no COM
mon country, and suffered nothing from
common wrong. 1t is as if the world
ana not know us as Americans all, and as
1t we could shake off II am an .4rner,-
can citizen at will. AS if, too, the States had
done so wrong in yielding to the temptations
OF the Federal Government, which, when "a
bandoning all system of internal improve
ments, openly invited and encouraged the
States, that they would not be forgiven, and
the Federal Government would rather blast
than protect their plighted faith, the greatest
jewel ola Republican Statep'