Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1842-11-12

10 pTOCecU ufucT uSW iSStiS""ho 81
ed TO prevent the recurrence OF sImlla
frauds In a few years il was found a
open w1r with the Government Of th'
country, seeking the renewal OF Its charter
substituting p esses and editors, squander
ing its treasures in partizan elections, open
ly purchasing the support OF the venal il
all directions. The moral corruption
which thus flooded the whole country wa:
| in itself an evil of the m st fearful magnl
tude. 1t struck deep at the roots of pub
lie faith and private honor, and prepared
the way for that reckless and unboun'ec
extravaganza, which the Bank itself stImu.
lated by the prfuse distribution Of its mo
ney, and the consequences of which we
are now reaping in individual sutferings
from which Bankrupt Law al.
fords but slight relief and in the degrade,
ton the CHI r cter of our country by the
fraudulent insolyencies of our public cor
porat ons, and by the shameless re usal Of
sovereign st ties to fulfil their Obligations.
The final extinction of the same institu
ton under State charter, but managed by
the same indivd ais, and the consequent
inevitable exposition of its affairs, have dis
closed scenes oil depravity and fraud al
which the whole country stands aghast.--
Who can look back at the Immense
amounts of public funds which have been
entrusted to the fidelity of the same meH
wi bout a horror al the abuse which we
have escapeda And who would again
venture the treasury Of the nation upon the
integrity of any body of indv .duaIs in an
associate capacity, when we have before
us ich reiterated examples of the feeble
ness of the m st unspotted public and pri.
vate character, to resist the temptations
which attend the control of emo nous
wealth and inordinate power? How can
any government justify itself in thus trans.
ferring to corporate individuals, the func-
tons with which tits entru ted for the well
fare of the people? The collection, the
preservation, and the disbursement Of the
public revenue is the rsiness Of the 60
vernment itself. through its own agencies,
with all the responsibilities Of office, and
with the securities of oaths, bonds, and
constant check and supervision. 1t nigh.
with equal propfety relieve itself of the
burden of governing its Territories, by
employing the agency OF corporations, and
the Post Office and other departments,
might like se be coasi gned to their care.
If the government is ina iequate 10 the en-
tire management Oft fiscal affairs, shou
we not lie better employed in seeking and
prordiug the necessary powers to enable
it to DIS barge one of its highest duties,
than in creating arti6ci. bodies to whom
this same and still greater powers must be
confded' If there be danger in the exer-
else Of such powers by the selected public
agents of the people, directly and periodi-
caly responsible to 1hemfor all their acts,
is the danger Iessened by transferring their
exercise with the secrecy which invariably
attends the proceedings Of corporations, to
those who are t selected by the people,
and not responsible to them, but who hold
their chartered rights Tor longer or short.
er term, by an mmutab!e law, which even
the will vi the people cannot rescind!
THE TARIFF.
The following letter from one who is
directly engaged in commercial affairs
tells only one or two, Of the many instan
ces in which the recent tariff strikes a
dead blow at the commerce of the country
Those fleets Of vessels which have sprang
into existence Of so many of our seaports
within the last few years are now doomed
l., lay idle, and not at the docks. Free
trade and saiior's rights, was emblazoaed
on the flag under which we fought the lasi
bloody war with England, and that flag
will be unurled again.-Epe. Fost
From tie Epening Post,
Mr.. EDIToR:-At this moment, when
-four is SO low, and is threatening to 20
over; so ae MOTTO remIncrate the farmers
will yoI'tell the farmers one fact in con.
nection with this tariff
am ship owner, and have fine ship
now laying idle. / am offered several
reIghts ior her of American produce to
ofeign ports, chiefly -four, and at rates
;nY,i.3 liz! Ike to take but for one difficulty;
should get NJ freIgni ii3me. If | carry
slaves to Cadiz, there is duty 0:: sail.
which might otherwise bring ba k, whi;n
would make it l'sing freight. Ii take
l'ur and tobacco to Gibraltar, there is an
oppressive duty to meet me here, if bring
lone Malta fruit Italian silk goods and un-
marble. Ii take oil to The
3llric, then German Itton goods and hard
rare, Russia hemp sc. g., Are all Under
he dead law of protection.
What follows ? 1t follows that the ship
must come home empty, and it follows, that
American produce cannot, be exported I'M
ess it pay all the treightS one way, and
II, or nearly all o the ship for loming
Jack.
This is protection with vengeance. It
, in effect, a duty at this moment, of thirty
anto nm th., ovno., ~ u .