The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-07-26

will he NECESSARY for me TO toucl with freedom &
Independence upon the past as well ns the present
and upon the conduct, spirit aud principles OF par
Ties In doing this, assure my democratic breth-
rem and fellow ci,izeus, of whom am told there
nre many here present, (aDd tender them my cor
dial thanks for the honor done me by their nlten-
dance here day, with as much sincerity and graf
jtutle us il they agreed with me in political senti
ment) that nothing is father from my intention
than 10 say one single word that ought TO wound
their feelings give offence to them. But surely,
if there ever woro a period in the progress of any
Deoulc when all were called upon, ith calmncss
and candor, TO consider thoroughly the present pos
tnre OF public affairs, and deliberately to Inquire IN
10 the causes and remedies of tins unprop'ilons
state Of hngs, we have arrived at tilat period IN
the United States. And, If ever people stood
bound by the highest duties 10 themselves anu 10
their pos erty, 10 sacrifice upon tho altar oil their
country, cherished prejudicos and pnr'y predIlic
lions and aDtipathios, we are now called ufon 70
make the sacrifice, If necessary.
What is our actual condition IL Is one OF nnex
amped distress and embarrassment las UNIVERSAL as
II is intense, pervading tho whole community, and
sparing none. Property OF all kinds, and every
where, fallen and falling in value agricuitnra,
produce OF every description at the most reduced
prices; money unsnund and at the same Tune scarce,
and becoming more scarce by preparations, OF
doubtful aud uncertain issues, 10 increase ITS sound
ness; all the departments OF business inactive ana
staguan,; exchanges extravignnty hlSh ana con-
stanty fuctuaring; credit public aud private at
the lowest ehb, and confidence lost; and feeiing
of general arrangement and depression ana
what darkens the gloom which hanSs over me
country no one can discern any termination OF
this sad state of things nor see in the future any
glimpsos OF light or hope.
Is not this faithful, although appalling, picture
of the United States in 1912? appeal 10 all pres
ont, Wings and Democrats, Ladies' and Gentlemen,
to say If il he at all too'hgh colored.
Now let us what was Our real condluon
only the short time of ten years ago had occasion,
in February 1892, in the Senate OF the United
States, when was defending the Amercan Syss
TEN against tho late Col. IInyne, of South Carroll
na describe il, and refer to this description as
evidence of what believe TO be the sta'e OF tho
country at that time That il cnnormed too The ruth
of the case, appeal with confidence 10 those now
present. On that occasion, among things, sad;
81 have now 10 perform the more pleasing task
Of exhibiting an imperfect scotch ofthe unparraiIei
ed prosperity of the country On general survey
behold cultivation extended the arts tiourshing,
the face of the country improved our people fully
and proftably employed, and the public counter
anco exhibiting tranquility, contentment and nap
piness. And, if descend into particulars, we
have the Agreeable contemplation of Il people out
Of debt and rising slowly IN value, but in n secure
and sanitary degree; ready, though not eX!rava
CANT, market for all The Surplus productions OF our
industry inuumerab 10 1ocks aud herds browsing
and gamholing ten thousand hills and plains GOV
cred with rich and verdant grasses; our cities en-
panded, and whole villages springng up, as II
were, by cnchahtment; our exports and our in,
ports increased and increasing; our 10 mage foreign
and coastwise, swelling and fully occupied; the
rivers of our interior animated by the perpetual
thunder and lightning Of countless steamboats,; the !
currency sound and abundant The public debt OF
wars nearly redeemed and, 10 crown all,the
public treasury overlooking, e mba rassug Congress,
not TO find subjects oil taxation, but TO select the
objects which shall be liberated from mpost ii
the of seven years TO be selected, OF the
greatest prosperity which tins people have cnjnyed
since the establishment of their present Cvnsitu-
ton it would be exactly that period OF seven years
which Immediately followed the passage of the
Turin 1924 "
And that period embraced The whole term of the
admin isration Of Mr. John @ Adams, which has
been SO unjnstly abused
The contrast in the state of The country, the
two periods Of 1872 andl542, is most remarkable
and startling What has precpatcd us from that
great hight of envable pros perty down 10 the low
est depths Of pecuniary embarrassment? What has
occasoned the wonderful change? No foreign foo
has invaded and dosolated the country. We have
had neither famine nor earthquakes. That there
exists cause there can be no doubt; and think
il equally clear that tho cause ,whatever il may be,
must be general one for nothing but y general
cause could have produced such wide spread ruin
and every where we behold the same or similar eft
tects, every interest affected, avery section of The
u MON suffering, all descriptions Of produce and
property depressed in value. And whilst | endeav
find that cause, and 10 trace 10 their true
source the disastrous effects which we witness and
feel, and lament, entreat The Democratic portion
of my audience, especially 10 listen with patience
and candor aud dismissing Tor moment party bias
es and pl eiudlces, TO decide with impartality and
in spirit of genuine patriotism.
1t has been said by those IN high authority, thai
the People to blame and moi the Government;
and that the dslresses of tho country have proce.
ded from speculation and overtrading. The peo
pie have been even reproached for expecting too
much from Government, and not relying sufficient
iy upon their own cxertions. And they have been
reminded that The highest duty Of the Government
is to take ITSELF leaving the People shift
for themselves we'll as they Accordingly
we have seen the Government rc,reatng from the
storm which, it will he seen in the sequel, itself
created, d. taking shelter under the Sub Treasury.
That there have been some speculation and over
trading, may be true but all have not speculated
and overtraded whilst the distress reaches, if not
in tie same degree, the cautious and the prudent,
as well as the enterprising and adventurous. The
error of~tbe argument consists in installing the eff
feet for the What pr oduced the overtrading?
What the of speculation How were
the people tempted 10 abandon the industrious and
secure pursuits of life, and embark In doubtful and
peiious, but seducing enterprises? That is the i'm
portant question.
Now, fellow citizens, l take upon myself to
sho that the people have been far less to blame
than the General Government, and that whatever
Of error they committed, was the natural and inevi
liable consequence of she unwse policy Of their ru-
lers. To the action OF Government is mainly 10