The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1842-07-09

In case OF wat; "a, AssD0n ano so long rs
the rate Of duties shall, for and reason what
ever, be raised above 20 per cent. Nothing
can be more clear, express and imperative
than this language.
1t is in vain to allege that deficit in the
Treasury was known to exist and means
taken to supply 1t by loan when the act was
passed. Ii is true that loan was authoriz-
ed a, the same session during which the
Distribution law was passed, but the mos.
sanguine of the friends Of the two measures
entertained no doubt but that the loan would
be eagerly taken up by capitalists, aud
speedily reimbursed by a country, destined
as they hoped, soon 10 enjoy an ovenow.
ing prosperity. The very tsrme Of the
loan making it redeemabe in three years
demonstrate this beyond all cavl' Who
at that time foresaw or imagined the posi-.
blli.y Of the actual state Of things, when
nation that has paid of her whole deb, since
the last peace, While all the other great pow.
ers have been increasing theirs, and whose
resources, already SO great are yet but in
the infancy of their development, should be
compelled TO hasgte IN the money market
for paltry sum rot equal to one years
revenue on her economical system? If the
distribution law is to be indefinitely sus.
pended according not only 10 its own terms
but BY universal consen, in case of war;
wherein are the actual exigencies OF the
country or the moral obligation to provide
for them less under present circumstances,
than they could be we're we actually involved
in war!lt appears to me to be the ndlspensi
BILE duty of all concerned in the admlnistra-
ton of public affairs, to see that state of
things SO humiliating and so perious
should not last moment longer than is
absolutely unavoidable-much less excu
sable should we he in parting wi,h any por
ton Of our available means, at least, until
the demands Of the treasury we're fully
supplied. But besides the urgency of
such considerations, the fact is undeniable,
that the Distribution Act could not have
become law without the guarantee in the
prsviso OF the act itself.
This connection thus mean, to be insep
arabic is severed by the bill presented to nae.
The bill violates the principle of he acts
cf 1888, and September. ls4l by suspend
ing the first, and rendering for a time the
last imperative. Duties above twenty per
cent are proposed TO be levied and yet The
proviso in the Distribution Act is disregard
ed-the proceeds of the sales are 10 be
distributed on the first of August-so that
while these duties proposed 10 be enacted
exceed twenty per cent no suspension of
the distribution 10 the States is permitted 10
take place. TO abandon the principle for
month, opens the way for its total aban
donment. If such is not meant. why post
pone al all,why not letthe distribution take
place on the first of July, if the law SO di.
reefs, which, however, is legarded as CUES
,ionable.) But why not have limited the
provision 10 that effect! Isit accommode
tion of the Treasury! see no reason 10
believe that the Treasury will be in better
condition 10 meet The payment on the first
of August, than on The FIRST of July. The bill
assumes tina, distribution of the proceeds
Of the public lands is, by existing laws, TO
be made on the first day OF July, ls42 not
wiihs!andng there has been an imposition
of duties on imposts exceeding twenty per
cent up TO tha, day, and directs il to be
made on the first Of August next. 1t seems
SO very clear, that this construction is equal.
ly erroneous and dangerous, as it would
divert from the Treasury fund sacredly
pledged for the Government in the
event of rate of duty above twenty
per cent. being found necessary for an eco
nomical administration of the Government.
The bill under consideration is designed
as only temporary measure, passed mere.
ly for the convenience Of Congress, is made
to affect the vital principle of an impor.
tant act, If the proviso of the act of Sep.
tember, ls4l can be suspended for the |
whole period ofa temporary law. why no. for
the whole period ofa permanent law!A deub,
may be well entertained in fact, accordin
TO strict legal aules, whether the condition
having been thus expressly suspended by
This bill. and renderered inapplicable to
case where il would otherwise have clearly
applied. will not be considered as ever al. |
ter satisfied and gone. Wnhon. express.
ing any decided opinion on this point. see
enough in it to justify me in adhering TO the
law as j. stands, in preference TO subiectinp
a coudiiion SO vitality affecting the peace Of
the country, and SO steadfasily adhered to
with good TO every interest of the country,
to doubtful or caplious Interpretation.
In discharging the high duty thus i'm posed
ON me by the constitution, | peat TO the
AZ