The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-04-19
THE MEASURES OF THE ADMINS
TRATION.

before
effected. The violent presses attached to the
extremes of two powerful parties, both as hos
tile TO the Administration as to one another, in
dulge in commentaries without texts, revile
that which they neither state nor describe, and
seek to drown all power of clear conception,
or fair presentation in one general shower OF
abuse.
So far as such publications have influence,
how is it possible that the measures OF the
Administration should be correctly understood?
And presses of more decorous, if not a more
friendly character, always want time or room
two talents Of the greatest use and importance
in the support of editorial candor-to remind
their readers, even occasionally, Of the official
recommendations which the President, from
time to time, has laid before the two Houses.
But in the face of all these difficulties and
they are not small, is still indispensable, so far
it can be done, to draw public attention to the
measures which the Administration has recon-
mended to Congress, and upon the success OF
which, if adol ted by Congress, it has been and
still is, ready to hazard its credit and its fate.
OF these measures we give short summary.
1st A loan, of not less than fifteen millions of
dollars, for term not less than fifteen or twenty
years under such provisions as to terms, as shall
enable the Treasury to negotiate the loan abroad.
The accession of fifteen millions of money to
the country, at the present moment, in addition
to meeting the wants of the Government, would,
as all intelligent men must see, be OF the high
est use in revvng business, industry and credit.
1t would inspire some degree, at least, of life
and activity into all business operations
This measure, though at late hour, has been
effected.
81. A reasonable, but sufficient and adequate
Tariff. The country must have revenue. This
revenue must come mainly from duties on i'm
ports, and these duties ought to be laid with
distinguishing and careful hand, so that while
revenue is supplied in sufficient abundance, the
incidental effect of the duty may be to prot' CT
labor and industry and invigorate the general
prosperity.
This is the great measure. The absolutely
indispensable measure. A Tariff, revenue,
competent and ample provision for public ex-
penditure-without this it is vain and idle 10
talk of the hope of returning prosperity-and all
this the President has urged and pressed upon
Congress again and again. And it appears to
US, that friendly or even fair mind, would
think it just and important to remind the public
of these repeated and earnest recommendations,
we had almost said solicitations of the Presi-
dent, to the two Houses of Congress.
This subject of revenue is vital, urgent, and
cannot be much longer delayed with safety or
honor to the Government.
Sd. The Exchequer system.
In speaking of this, we speak of the plan
which was furnished from the Treasury De-
parment
Without designing the least disrespect for the
bills reported by the Committees of the two
Houses respectively, and not doubling at all
that Mr. Talmadge and Mr. Gushing have both
recommended that which seemed to them the
best practicable measure, we yet must remind
the country that the bills of these gentlemen are
not, nor is either Of them, the measure OF the
Administration. That measure was arger-far
larger. 1t looked to currency-to the ways and
means of Government, and it looked to ex-
change and to faci tiles Of business.
OF the safety and efficiency of this measure,
the Administration still entertains, we douot
not, the utmost confidence
Against its provisions, we heard on its pre-
sentauon, great deal of opposition, but little
argument 1t was condemned in advance by
those who either had not read its provisions, or
did not understand them, and by the cry OF
"National Bank'' on the one side, and of "hard
money currency" on the other, all just reason
ing, all statesmanllke discussion was over
whelmed. We are misinformed if some who
rejected this plan at first, with such intempe-
rate haste, do not now see its prominent advan-
tages over other plans. But if Congress passes
plan of its own, be it So Let 1t give to It's
own plan the shape Of law. Let II put 1t into
operation before all the country is utterly ruined
The country may be assured that whatever
the plan NAV be, the Executive Government will
do its utmost to give to 1t successful operation.
But, in the name Of all that is reasonable, In the
name of all that is patriotic, III the name OF the
exhausted patience of whole People, let US be-
seech and implore Congress to do something,
and TO do it at once.
Are we to see another August. ay, another
September another periodical return of the
bane(ul influence of Sirius, before any thing
shall be finally effected on this momentous
subject?
If there be no patriotism among us, is there
also no pride, no self-respect? Are we, are we
of this generation all ready to confess ourselves
so utterly incompetent to conduct the Govern
ment of our country
4th. Just and liberal appropriations for
the Army, and the Navy, and other great
e IL. hn