The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-03-18


hazard the assertion, that in no country on earth
is labor takng all in all more effective than ours:
and especially in the northern and eastern portions,
What people can excel our Northern and Nav
England brethren in skill, invention, activity. en-
ergy, perseverance, and ENTERPRISE In what por
tiron of the globe will you find IA position more ia
yorable to free ingress and egress, fclty ofin
ercourse, external and internal, through the broad
limits of our wide spread country-a region sur
passed by none, taking into consideration extent
and fertility Where viii you find such an abun-
dant supply Of natural capital, the gift of kind
Providence; land cheap, plenty and fertile; water
power unlipited; and the supply OF fuel and the
most useful OF metals, iron, almost without Stint
1t is true, in accumulated capital, the fruits of past
labor, though long succession Of ages, not equal
to some other countries, bat even in that far from
being deficient, and to whatever extent deficient,
would be more than compensated 10y the absence
Of all restrictions, and the sghtness Of the burden
imposed on labor, should our Government, State
and General, wisely avail themselves of the ad-
vantages OF oar situation If these views be correct
heie is no country where labor if left to itself free
from restriction would be more effective and where
it would command greater abundance of every ne
cessary and comfort, Of higher wages; and where
ofcourse protection is less needed, Instead Of an
advantage it must in fact, prove an impediment.-
II is high time then, that the shackles should DO
thrown off industry, and IT'S burden lightened,
as far as the just wants of the Government may
possibly admit. We have arrived at the manhood
Of our vigor. Open the way-remoye all restraints
take of the swaddling cloth that bound the limbs
of infancy, and let the heardy, intelligent and en-
terpglsing sons Of New England, march forth fear
essly TO meet the world in competition, and she
,.o tt,n ynl Of
old England. The foreign market once comman-
died. all conflicts between the different, sections and
industry Of the country will cease. 1t is better for
US and you, that our cotton should go out in yarn
und.goods, than in the state; and when that is
done, the interests Of all the parts this great con-
federacy-Nofth. East, South and West-whh ev-
cry variety of its pursuits, would be harmonized;
but not till then. In the course of policy l advo-
cate be wise as applied to manufactures, how much
more strkngly so must it be when applied 10 the
other two great interests of that section commerce,
and naylgalion' ] pass the former, and shall con-
clude' what intended TO say on this point with a
few remarks applicable to the latter. Navigation
q mean that enjoyment in our foreign trade) Is es-
sen!ally ontOutside interest, exposed TO the open
competition of the lowest wages, not only without
protection, but with heavy burdens an almost ev-
cry criticize that enters into the outfit, and rigging
and construction of our noble vessels, the timber
excepted. If, with such enormous burdens, it has
met in successful rivalry the navigation of all other
countries, what on impulse it would receive if the
load that bears down its springs were removed
and what immense additions that increased impulse
would give, not only TO our wealth, but to the
means of national influence and safety, where only
we can be felt, and IN the quarter from which only
external dangers is to be apprehended.
bnu NJ. ,l,,n Cd hal
posed to say, when arose to address the Senate.
have limited my remarks to the prominent conso-
quences, in pecuniary and fiscal view, which
would result, should the scheme Of assumption be
adopted There are higher, and still more impor.
tant consequences, which have not attempted to
trace: mean tho effects moral and politically, as
resulting from those which have traced. and pre-
sented to the Senate This, hope, may be done
by some Senator, in the course Of the discussion.
But have said enough to show that the scheme
which these resolutions are intended TO condemn,
ought TO be avoided rs the most fatal poison, and
most deadly pcs,iencc. 1t is IN reality, but
scheme of plumber. Let blood he tapped, and the
APPETITE will be Unsuitable.
But the States are deeply in debt, and 1t may
be asked WIN, shall be done! | know that they
are in dcbt-deepy in debt, | deplore it. Yes,
in debt, | am not afraid to assert it, in many in
Stances for the most idle projects got up and pur-
sued in The most though,ess manner, Nor am
iguornn! how deep pecuniary embOrassmcuts,
whether Of States or individuals, blunt every feel
ing orhoncst pride and deaden the sense orjustce;
but, do trust that there is not u member of this
great and proud ContederaCy, so lostto every feel
mg Of self respect and sense of justice, Us to de-
sire TO change lis individual debts on the common
fund oftha Union, or to impose them on the Shout
ders of lis more prudent associates; or let me add,
10 dishonor itself md the name Of m American,
by refusing to pay the foreigner what it justly owes.
Let the indebted States rememberin time that there
Is but one honest mode Of paying its debts; stop
all further increase, and impose taxes, to discharge
what you owe. There is not a State, even the
most indebted, with the smallest resources, that
has not ample resources 10 meet its engagements.
For one,I pledge my self; South Carolina is also in
debt She hnsspent her thousands in wasteful ex-
travagancc on one Of the most visionary schemes
that ever entered into the head ola thinking man.
dare say this even Of her; l., who on this floor
stoodup to defend her almost alone against those
who threatened her with State Rights rs to be
shocked to hear it asserted that safe is capsbl,
of eSlravagant aud wastelul expenditures. Yes,
pledge myself that she will pay punctually every
dollar she owes should il take the last cent, with
out inquring whether it was spent wisely or fool
ishly. Should in this be by possibility mistaken
should she arnlsh her unsullied honor and bring
disciedit on our common country, BY refusing to
redeem her blghted faith, (Which hold impossi-
ble.) deep as Is my devotion to her, and mother rs
she is to me, would dsown her.