Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1841-10-21
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pointment that the currency question was
not finally settled at the recent session OF
Congress, disposition prevalent among our
Wing friends to overlook much OF the real
good, the many excellent measures that were
carried through and adopted by the majority
in CongreSs-in other words, that many are
disposed to attribute more importance TO the
failure Of a single measure, than to the sue
cess of "a dozen others, some OF them, OF al
most, ii not equally great importance. we
regret this, inasmuch as we believe mat
much, very much of real and permanent
good to the country, was perfected at Inc re-,
cent session, enough, fully enough OF itseiI'
TO entitle the Wings TO the lasting gratitude
of the country. Let us look for moment at
what aoas done, and forget the while what
was not done.
Twenty -four acts, and four joint reSolu-
tions were passed at the recent session. we
have not now the list before us, and can only
speak of them from memory. FIRST. hoWcv-
er, in importance is the Land Bill. This
was emphatic:lIy the Wing measure OF me
session. In importance, 1t he's been equalled
by no law which has been enacted since our
government went into operation. u reScueS
The NATIONAL DOMAIN from the grasp
of spectators, and from the worst machina-
tons Of demagogues, who have ever, from
the first period of our history, been active IN
using the land question as means tor secur-
ing political infiuefce.s The Bill secures to
all the states, the:old alike with the new,
their just proportion in this noble inherit
ance, an inheritance than which none more
rich and prolific was eyer possessed by any
! nation under the heavens. New York will
receive half a milan of dollars annually
from this common fund, and every State III
the Union an equal sum in proportion to
their population. This money will be ex-
pended in enriching and adjoining the states,
and opening new sources OF wealth and
prosperity 10 the people. For this measure
we are indebted solely to Wing Congress-
since not an opposition member in either
House voted in favor gifts passage.
The Bankrupt lao is another measure
which we owe to Wing Congress. This is
one, which, previous 10 the last election, all
parties were in favor of. 1t was demanded
by all classes of the community, and thou.
sands of petitions were sent to Congress,
signed by tens ofthousands of freemen pray
ing for its passage. Nevertheless, the oppo.
ton turned to these deaf ear, forfeited all
their pledges, violated all their professions,
and the measure was only finally passed by
the votes of Wings in both Houses of Con-
gress. The thanks Of thousands of honest
u unfortunate men will be their best reward.
The Fortifcetion Biz is another measure
for which the country has every reason to
rejoice in its passage. Notwithstanding the
annual expenditures for the last IL years
have been enormous, yet our Qualifications
along our extensive frontiers have been
grossly neglected. For the last four years
little or nothing has been appropriated tor
their repair and construction, so that in ma
ny places, and those the most important, our
Forts and public works have been in state
of decay. To remedy this evil. and to place
our country in proper state Of defence, was
one Of the first measuresOfa Wing Congress.
The Home Squadron Bill, providing rs it
does for the maintenance of a naval force
for the protection of ourlmaritime cities, and
for the security Of our commerce, met with
little opposition in either House of Congress,
60 strongly did the necessity cNist for its pas
sage. 10 the Wings however. is Justly to
be given the honor of originating and carry
ing it through, and we Claim it us one OF the
rich fruits of the session.
The Ordnance Biz is another of the same
class of measures, all OF them having for
their object the placing of the country in a
complete posture Of defence. The bill ap.
propriates 100000 for the purchase Of ord.
nance for our Forts and vessels.
The Revenue Bill was passed solely by
Wing votes. 1t imposes tax of twenty per
cent upon Wines, Silks, and luxuries, i'm
ported into this country from abroad.
The Loan Bill providing money to pay off
the debt, entailed upon the present admins
tration by the last, was matter of necessity,
and received the early attention of Congress
1t will have the effect to forever put to an
end the practice of our government hereto
fore, in issuing a paper currency, in the
shape of Treasury Notes for its support.
But above all, the browning measure Of
this session was the repeal of the Subj Treas.
ury-thrce condemned, as it had been by
the people through the ballot boxes. 1t is
true that in this case as in that of the Land
Bill, Congress but carried out the will of the
People, yet is a Wing Congress none the less
entitled TO the thanks of a grateful people.
These are the principal and more impor-
tant measures of the late extra session of
Congress. They are all of them of great
importance to the country, and there has
been no session of Congress for many years,
in which SO many important laws have been
passed. They are amply sufficient to cnti-
tie the Wing majori,ieS in both Houses 10 the
applause of the nation. Although the Wings
have been disappointed in the failure of a
single measure, yet much, very much has
been accomplished for the good of the coun-
try. We have carried dozen good laws.
and failed but in one. Is there any good
cause then for the complaint, that the Wings
have not faithfully laboEed to carry out their
pledges to the country! For our part we
can see none. Already, ere seven months
from the installation Of a Wing administra-
ton at Washington have passed-we have
repealed the Sub 1reGsury. restored the Pu6-
lie Domsin to its rightful owners. pissed a
Bankrupt Lao, provided adequately for the
defence of the country. and taken efficient
stems To redeem the nation from The lond of