Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1842-10-03

II the Satcsofthis Conedes,y shall Iod themselves in
difficulties from the burden Of debt they may have cot
tracicd In attempts 10 improve their territory lot them
be PATIENT remember tina, the motive for borrowing
god be chccrcd aud sireng lhened by hs considers
and ite assf that hugay andlab viii ultimately re-
iieve them Let them remember that tho money has been
spent m attempts 10 improve anemplre and not IN the des
Citations Of war that 1t has been laid for the benefit o
osleriiy and moi 10 purchase Tor themselves temporary
pleasures or vain and tleetng magnfccncc Let them
not descend from the dignity that belongs 10 The
honest debtor. who acknowledge his debt asks ia
vor. dsdains all shulng all subicrluge, but pre-
pares. with Anny pride. 10 meet his obligations 10 the
ueroos Iarhing Shall these soycregntiea. who have
heretofore borne themselves noby be frightened from
their positions and betrayed into INDIGENOUS courses by
small mcdicum of debit ishoud hope that il the pub
lie creditor were to offer 10 give up lily bond. proud
Government would reject the hoon would never d,ign ~
acecp wlthcu, rendering dollar for liar. Yet il would
he more dgnifod and becoming 10 do So Oh bent snee
and with humble thanks UPON the lip. than 10 withheld
orcbly from tho holders Of those bonds their honest
dues There IL no process Of argument known 10 an hon
eel mlnd that can lead 10 the slightest connoGance of
these perncious doctrines the most drudcd selfish
casusry could not incline the understanding 10 them
lie who advances them does knowing them 10 be Ut
lery and wholly wrong and tho day of compuncon
will come. when the whip of nsps would hc toorn
ahe than the upbadngso his conscience The gross aud
base act OF cheating his fellow out Of what IN hon
eslly and rghuy his own H. If possible. the leas, part
Of hs oIonce: he has aided in corrupiing The minds Of
other; he haG lowered The tone of tho public morala he
has degraded the country. The present condition oil
thugs regard to tho public debt of Maryland is deeply
10 I've drpood 1t constitutes crisis IN her history that
can never be remembered referred to with pleasure
II Is true that no sentiment Of Reputation obtains pong
here Our people ale by far too proud and too honola
bic TOT that The chiyalry u her could bend
10 such humiliation. Brt owing her great undorla
kings and the incomplete condition of all Of them, the
burden OF debt contracted their account, and which Is
hereafter to bedsirbued amongst them, now rests AZ
N incubus upon the State. She the foster mother,
has 10 beai the burden until her canal. and railroads are
completed IN the mean time, the calls upon The public
treasury Io HE annual interest very heavy; and the
resources OF the State though greatly enhanced by new
assessments aud new rates o taxation have been nodo
gnate 10 meet them. temporary suspension upon the
interest payments has been the resul, and much dc
porcd and nnous depression Of the public stock has fol
lowcl. This Is alike dshoarenng to the creditor and
ln,orrylng To The debtor.
Bot shc Is earnestly al work in attempts 10 I'll til,
treasury her great works are nearly approaching the
mineral regions; 1t IL now the settled policy of the
country thai the great fund Of the public lands is 10
linuo in way Of distribution, and Maryland will soor
emerge from her difficulties with pure hands and All un
sllil,d rcput ltion.
Recurring to the bad effects Of these breaches Of h
national iah and descending from the tone Of disda
which the mind naturally when treating thena
questions OF morals let US look at them qucsliuns u
policy ,andsoc how they wlllbear examination Govern
tW ulat ekPN'si Hpndlars tnr pubic utb', OF. VIVA
amounts 10 thcsame thing, deliberately omils provide
trit guilty ola great corruption llsa corrupt Govern
mani, 10 faith aud honor gone. It's system OF ~
risprudeDce becomes the offspring Of corrupt Legsa
tnre its lawsarc the imlt Of corrupt elaboration.
Tho property the State. and the rights and liberties
its c,lzcns are only protected by the vena and
changing rules Of pruisae cnlriments or what volu
would such property bel Contracts between man ant
man would he annulled. Tho public debt wa
found an inconvenience. aud il WAS cancelled privah
debts would he ce!tanly much oppressive, and VII,
not cancel thcm2
The ancient notion about their sacreness has by thes
lights been asccTiained 10 be foosh II would be /
10 talk about the sacredncss of private contracts il
a land where the public engagements had been rcpud
ated.
IN all trading communities like our own, the deblo
class comprises at least lwo thirds Of the population
very wide right Of suffrage prevails with us and VIII,
does not that tho debtor and creditor candidates i
the Legislature would soon be in the feld7 The for.
mer would prevail Of course; and then would como the
widest sweeps Of RIGHTEOUSNESS in legislation. All debts
certain limit would be declared void az being OPP
pressve aud upon The people, large would
/ be broken up title deeds would be cancelled and
torn from the records agrarian laws would BE-
passed. Is there any painting in ths2 Dies it not
all follow as necessary consequence of the great
Of perfdy 7 Docs il 60 beyond the measure OF plain
and practical application Of the principles that dictated
that ac, Of perfdyl Ia my judgment it does not But
turn away from subject that must be distressing 10
the mind OF every patriot. and will indulge in more
pre- Of the and shame and disgrace that
must fall upon our conn ~ should II ever be beraycd
into tho sin Of reputation.
Ever, very faithfully, yours. j. J. S.