Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1842-03-10
THE SIGNS OF THE TINES.

THE SIGNS OF The 1lMES'
The situation of our country, in whatever
aspect it may be viewed, whether as to poll
tics or business-whether to the present or
the futures in the highest degree gloomy
and alarming. A state of things exists
which demands the most serious reflection
from every citizen Of the nation.
In estimating the actual condition and flu.
ture prospects of business, we must take into
consideration the fact that we have nothing
like uniform and sound currency-without
which, it is as impossible that the trade of
the country should flourish, as for the human
body to be in health and vigor when the
blood is impure, or the great arteries tied up.
Besides this fatal obstruction, there is
death dealing depreciation of property 60
ing on, over the whole country-owing to
two great causes, operating with the force
and universally of gravitation.
Tho first of these is that we are in de0t,
and keeping in debt, to foreign countries-a vas
salage, worse even than political slavery,
Our credit abroad being destroyed, our cred
itors there are demanding their pay in spe-
cie-and silently, but in thousand constant
" running riIls of silver and gold, they are
bleeding us at every pore. This process OF
emaciation is dwinding down our specie
aud the value of property is shrivelling in
the same proportion. Houses, lands, mer-
chandise, wages, arc all declining in price
land the obligations of those who are in
debt, are becoming proportionably magnifi-
ed. A thousand dollars is q more formda-
BILE sum to the debtor to-day, that two thou
sand was five years ago-and many man
is doomed to bankruptcy, through this with"
eriDg process, who estimates his property
now at much more than the amount OF their
DEUS.
vsl.a .o.,,A oe.l> .a~.l:no1 oo+;on ne these
two causes is manifest, even in New-Eng.
land, where they have operated with less
force than in other parts Cf the country,
Here we have had some good business, and
hopes of improvement have been entertained
but these are fast disappearing, in view OF
facts that cannot be winked out of sight. 1t
cannot be disguised that the country, even
here. is poor thousands, beside, are strug-
Cling in the deepening mire OF deot-wages
are low-the prices ofall the products OF Ia
Dor are so reduced as to withdraw induce
.ments to activity-trade is embarrassed and
profitless-enterprize is but the sure road to
disaster.
This may be deemed picture too sombre
and darkly colored-and perhaps there may
be few bright spottSs which are not yet o.
shaaowed-by this cloud of gloom. Taking
the whole country, however, and even inclu.
ding New-England, it is but too true and
faithful delneation of the signs of the times
and this all. pervading darkness is render
ed still the more hopeless and alarming from
the consideration that, while the existing
evils have sprung almost entirely from polit-
ical sources, there is no present promise of
remedy or relief from those sources.
The state of things at Washington pre-
sents an anomoly in the history of legisla-
ton. The administration, without five sup.
porters in the Senate, or fifty in the House,
is of course powerless-except so far as it
may suggest plans of action. The two great
parties are disorganiZed-and, while the
country lies bleeding beneath them, the lead
ers-the master-spirits of the tin1es--are
squabbling over PROSTATE form, for possess
sion Of the body. The scene is indeed re-
volting-for it is sad reality, that the only
feasible measures'of relief to the country are
denied to the country, and for no other rea.
son than that certain political aspirants wish
to use the questions that grow out of those
measures, for their own selfish and sinister
purposes.
There is not q man in Congress who does
not we'll know that sound currency is ne
cessary to business-that the arrangement |
AQfthe currency is the work of Locofeco pol |
ITt1cians, beginning with Andrew Jackson
that the restoration of the currency is within
The power Of Congress-and that suitable !
action. on the part of that body, would result
in immediate Improvement. There is not a
man in Congress who does not know that
this is the first step which should be taken
and an indispensable one-to restoration
of prosperity-and yet they seem occupied,
like wolves, in rending their victim, rather
than like patriots, seeking the health and re.
covery of the wasted and emaciated land.
The necessity of barrier along our At
lantic coast, to protect our own Interests
from the pauper rivalry of Europe-and al |
SO to keep the Accommodations oflabor among !
ourselves, rather than to have them drawn |
off by foreign baubles-thus holding US in a |
state of individual and national poverty-is |
as plain as the necessity of a currency
There is not q man in Congress who does not |
know this-and yet, for purposes wholly |
personal, selfish, partizan-this great scheme |
of security, protection, and relief, is used as |
mere rostrum for speeches made for polit-
zeal effect, in local districts-or bugbear,
which is to frighten the people out of their
senses, while the political burglars steal in
to possession of power and treasure.
We know that there are thosewho will say
that we are dipping our pen in the ink of sat-
ire-bu: it is not So We speak the words
of truth and soberness-and we speak them,
too, as we'll to the people as to the rulers at
Washington, and elsewhere. The signs Of
thetines are not remarked by US, alone. A
deep consciousness of the political cheat that
is praetised, is fast stealing over every part |
ofShe country-and its natural causes and |
effects are beginning to be accurately appre-
ciated.
It is already matter of general observa-