Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-08-06

emf. lana t6UOcT INV COr0tai thanksI
for the honor done me by their attendance
here this day, with as much sincerity and
gratitude as If they agreed with me in po-
litical sentiment) that nothing is farther
from my intention than to say one single
word that ought to wound their feelings
or give offence to them. But surely, if there
ever was period in the progress of any
people when all were called upon, with
calmness and candor, to consider thorough
ly the present posture Of public and pri-
vate affairs, and deliberately to inquire
into the causes and remedies of this I'm.
propitous state of things, we have arrived
at that period in the United States. And, |
if ever people stood bound by the highest
duties to themselves and to their posterity,
10 sacrifice upon the altar Of their coun-
try, cherished prejudices and party predi-
lcctions and antipathies, we are now called |
upon to make the sacrifice if necessary.
What is our actual condition. II is one
Of unexampled distress and embarrass-
ment, as universal as it is intense, peryad-
ing the whole community, and sparing
none. Property of all kinds. and every
where, fallen and falling in value; agricul-
tural produce of every description at the
most reduced prices; money unsound and
at the same time scarce, and becoming
more scarce by preparations, Of doubtful
and uncertain issue, to increase its sound
ness; all the departments of business in
active and stagnant; exchanges extrava-
gantly high and constantly fuctuating;
credit, public and private, at the lowest
ebb, and confidence lost; and feeling of
general Encouragement and depression.
And what darkens the gloom which hangs
over the country no one can discern any
termination Of this sad state of things, nor
see in the future any glimpse of light or
hope,
Is not this faithful, although appalling
picture of the United States in 1912? |
appeal to all present, Wings and Demo-
Gratis, Ladies and Gentlemen, to say if it
be at all too highly colored.
Now let us see what was our real con-
dition only the short time of ten years ago
had occasion, in February, 1882, in the
Senate Of the United States, when l was
defending the American System against
the late Col. Hayne of South Carolina, to
describe it; and | refer to this description
as evidence Of what l believed to be the
state of the country at that time. That
il conformed to the truth Of the case,
appeal with confidence to those now pres
ent. On that occasion, among other things,
said:
81 have now to perform the more pleasing
task Of exhibiting an imperfect sketch Of the
existing state OF the unparalleled prosperity Of
the country. On general survey we behold
cultivation extended, the arts fourishng, the face
Of the country improved, our people fully and
pToftably employed, and the public countenance
exhibiting tranquility, contentment and happi
ness. And, If we descend into particulars, we
have the agreeable contemplation OF people out
Of debt, land rising slowly in value but in a
secure and salutaIy degree; ready, though not
extravagant, market for all the surplus produc,
lions OF our industry, innumerabe focks and
herds browsing and gamboling on ten thousand
hills and plains, covered with rich and verdant
grasses; our cities expanded, and whole villages
sprnging up, as it were, by enchantment; our
exports and our imports increased and increasing;
our tonnage, foreign and coastwise, swelling and
fully occupied; the rivers of our interior ami.
mated by the perpetual thunder and lightning OF
countless steamboats,; the currency sound and
abundant; the public debt of two wars nearly
redeemed; and, to crown all. the public treasury
overlooking, embarrassing Congress, not 10 find
subjects OF taxation, but to select the objects
which shall be liberated from the impost II
the term OF seven years were to be selected. OF
the greatest prosperity which this people have
enjoyed, since the establishment OF their pres
ent Constitution, it would be exactly that period
OF seven years which Immediately followed the
passage Of the Tariff OF 1924"
And that period embraced the whole
term of the administration Of Mr.. John
@. Adams, which has been SO unjustly
abused!
The contrast in the state Of the country
al the two periods Of 1882 and 1912, is
most remarkable and startling What has
precipita,ed us from that great height o.
enviable prosperity down to the loves
depths of pecuniary embarrassment! Wha
has occasioned the wonderful change? Nc
foreign foe has invaded and desolated the
country. We have had neither famine MOI
earthquakes. That there exists a cause
there can be no doubt; and | think i
equally clear that the cause, whatever i
may be, must be general one; for moth
ing but general cause could have pro
duced such widespread ruin; and every
where we behold the same or similar eff
fects, every interest affected, every sec
ton of the Union suffering, all descrip
tons of produce and property depressed il
value. And whilst | endeavor to find gu
that cause, and to trace to their true
source the disastrous effects which we wit
ness and feel, and lament, entreat tht
Democratic portion of my audience, espe
cialy, to listen with patience and candor
and dismissinp for moment party base