The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-06-07
From the Baltimore .4mertcan.
MEMORIAL TO CONGRESS.

MEMORIAL TO CONGRESS.
The following memorial will be circulated for the
signatures of the citizens of Baltimore
To the Senate and House Of Representatives. Of the United
States Of .fnieTlca;
The subscribers citizens of Baltimore, are impelled
by of their rights, and OF the obligations OF
your high trust to demonstrate against measures agi-
aed in your bodies and to dwell upon the grievances
of country, which are prolonged and aggravated
by the delays OF your councils.
This favored empire now but one strange specta-
Gle of distress amid the elements of wealthand is
mockery to the pride of power boosted in our
sources and intelligence The industry Of our people
the rich materials of enterprise territories, fertile
in every product-and in every region inviting the
energies of Agriculture, Commerce, and Manuiac-
tresnature uniting with elaborate art to speed the
course of trade and multiply its avenues-a popua-
ton patriotic in its best import of being sensitive of
the National honor and ready for sacrifices to uphold
it-and patient even of mis-government for the love
they bear to the Republic and from their conscious
ness OF reslsless soveregntyall these seem unavai
ing to quicken prosperity, and redeem from the
gloom and torpor which follow extingushed conf
dence' in the active ranks of our Land
The Constitution confers powers equal to any ex-
igency-and thrifty and spirited people demand
that they be used and they appeal to the wisdom and
sympathy which they designed to imbody in the Lee
gislature of their Union Yet in seeming caIousness
Congress with no solicude nor diligence =
expedents adopted or digested for Nations
relief-but the very heart of the Nation is allowed
to slnk--while idle debate and partisan harangues
too often waste the precious time of action.
The interests of the Currency are deferred-or at
times only made theme tor passionate structures, in
which the pride of opinion appears to supersede all
Cancellation of views and prudent mindfuness of
the public welfare.
The regulation of the Tariff, Of such vital urgency
4.
port for credit, is involved in delays and doubts
and is contamination left to the chances and strife
of debate, remote result and uncertain as to its
details. Movements for retrenchment of expenses
made when the Treasury claims to be supplied to
meet the smallest burdens and such projects
pressed without any definite data of complaint any
certainty that they will not tresch upon the indispen
sable means OF Government ;-as if, by this tremu-
lous policy, to declare our poverty would improve
our dit or to stint the fund for the action of Go
vernment wuold argue our prudence.
But the most startling innovation is the attempt to
reduce our Navy-to economist our high National de-
fenceto cut off that which is the vehicle of our au-
thority and the engine of most effective power,
and at this day in the eyes of foreign Governments
the index of strength. What must be the effect
OF thus ordaning own intrmity by divesting our
rights and rank of armament lustrious for the
honors with which it has dignihed our and
frightened the ocean, and endeared to safe
guard against foreign assault and assumptions
While other Nations are strengthening and enlarg-
ing this great shiedthe vgor of war; and the pledge
of Peace-we incline to contract our sef-protecton,
and allow Foreign Powers to be predominant, and
encourage them thus to naughty encroachment. The
Maritime World has adopted the policy of Naval
force as the prompest conduit of its power and the
surest for redress-the best in its ready
ray to give proof of determined enforcement Of its
rights No Nation may now neglect such resource
without mpairing its very stature Nation-and
without enfeebling itself either to command respect
for ITS claims to overawe any trespass on its
rights.
By this self-infcted paralysis shall we draw from
Foreign countries tributes to Treasury in the
hdence which alone can give success to our financial
negotiations How can Nation which is too Ian
guild TO sustain its own means Of defence, and too
timd to meet debt which is as particle compared
with the wealth which, in industry and substance,
fills its borders, expect to be otherwise regarded than
as Bankrupt or delinquent
The American people approve economy, but they
do not confound it with parsimony which. without
forecast or liberality, degrades and disables us
and they do not regard extravaganza whatever
may be needed, in the largest and most generous
measure,-to cherish our National strength, and to
keep in its ustre rank among the Nations and
to their very pride Of country, and to their trust in
all peril, and against all menace, belongs NAVY.
We hope that no such wound will be given to the
public sentiment as is aimod by the proposal are
| condemnlng
We have thus frankly and earnestly addressed you,
acting upon our privileges American citizens and
feeling for the condition of country, and solicit
tous to every member of Congress rallied the
pressure of our crisis, and to the REQUIREMENTS OF
THE REPUBLIC.
We need not say that there are times hen the
voice of the People must be uttered to those Who
wear their authority and we need not dilate upon
the respect it should command, as we doubt not your
| patriotic sense of duty.