Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1842-05-12

Dody OF the citizens OF NonuSSttSutS t"~e ~
is the duty of Congress, in spirit OF patrl-
otisnl, with taxation for revenue and defence
as a principle, and protection to American
labor as an incident, promptly to adjust
tariff of imposts, upon reasonable, concH-
iatorv, and above all permanent basls.-
1t is now admitted on all hands, that unuer
existing laws, the receipts are inadequate 10
meet the current and legitimate demands
upon the Treasury, without reference 10
provision for the payment OF prlnclpal or
interest of the public debt; and that reVis-
ion of the revenue laws has become lndls-
pensable In adjusting tariff OF duties, II
is of the highest importance to avold the
necessity of frequent changes ana conse-
quent fluctuations, which III the experience
of the past, have proved so destructive 10
many of our interests. II the aValIs OF me
public lands could be pledged for the pay
ment of the public debt, and the necessity
of resorting to the current income from GU
ties, tor that purpose, be avoided, the esti-
mated amount of necessary revenue couio
then be assessed upon importatIons' upon
principles to which have referred, without
an exposure to any immediate change. The
amount Of duties imposed upon particular
articles is not so important to those inter-
ests, incidentally affected by the results, as
that they be fixed upon permanent found
alton. Whatever opinions may have been
entertained as to the policy of distribution
of the income from the public lands among
the States, especially while the duty OF put
ting the country in proper state OF de1cnce
remains unperformed, the proprety OF IN
creasing the public debt, by borrowing mon
ey for this purpose. to be repaid by future
taxation, is, certainly, much more than
questionable.
In legislating for this nation, amidst its
various, and in some respects, perhaps, con-
fiicting interests, there must be spirit OF
concession and Cancellation. With the
opinions known to be entertained bya great
portion Of the American people upon the
subject of Distribution, and the uncertainty
which will attend the legislation upon eve
ry relative subject, so long as the execution
of this measure is persisted in, it would seem
to be the part of true wisdom to yield TO the
evident demands of the public will, and APP
ply the income from this fund in aid of the
national faith, and in payment of the nation
al debt. Let this be done, and then let the
necessary amount of revenue be imposed in
duties, distributed upon the principle to
which have referred, and this interesting
question may be settled upon satisfactory
terms
1t is matter of congratulation that this
subject has been urged upon Congress by
the National Executive, in terms which. I'M
der the circumstances in which he was
placed, manifested a spirit of patriotism
worthy of his elevated station. 1t would be
foreign to this occasion, to express my opin-
ions upon the various measures, which have
engaged the attention Of the Federal Gov
eminent within the last year; but I cannot
but give utterance to my feelings that, in
the successful preservation of the country,
by the constitutional exercise of the veto
power, from the threatened calamties of a
National Bank, amidst influences which few
men could have overcome, the President OF
the United States has displayed firmness
of principle in the discharge of duty, which
deserves our gratitude. 1t was an act of Sc
we're duty, fearlessly performed, of which I
that too, as sincerely believe, with the con-
currence of large majority of the people
of this State. Without questioning the pu-
rity of the motives Of those who differ from
me on this subject, and yielding to them the
same right to express their opinions which |
claim for myself cannot but regard every
effort for combination of monied power, in
a National Bank of any description, or un-
der any form, as calling for the patriotic
resistance of every friend OF republican lib
erty. We are beyond the reach of such in
fluences now, and it is the part of wisdom
to remain a..
settled rules for the collection, safe keeping and
disbursement Of The public monies, imperionsly
demanded. Unless this is attained, every branch Of
business will he exposed to constant fluctuations and
arrangement. Let the public funds he collected and
paid out in the legal currency of the country, and
withheld from oil connection with banking insd,u-
tons, and let the princple Ct demanding cash Tor all
duties be fairly carried out and pos effectual
Hilary to business and the currency will be secured.
II is deeply TO be regretted that securing
this object, and wisely separating the Government
from the banking power, should while in successful
operation, have been disturbed. But it is matter Of
proud satisfaction torends OF sound currencya
stItutlona treasury, and sound credit, and s,rik
ing instance OF the triumph OF truth prejudice,
that many OF those who concurred in the repeal of
that measure, have with mn honorable candor recog-
nzed many OF its most important PRINCIPLES, in their
proposed cumbersome and more expensive substitute
AS II IS evident that public sentiment on this subject
has been entirely Inexperienced, it would seem 10
be extremely desirable That Congress should at once
restore with such notifications as experiences shall
suggest, that which, doubtless from honest but mis-.
taken views, has been DESTROYED. The principle of
this measure must md will, ultimately be adoped MS
me se!ted pocy OF the country; and the sooner the
work IS done, the sooner the people will he relieved
from the embarrassments and uncertainty, in which
ITS repeal has involved them.
In connection with the manufacturing interests OF
ms state, take the liberty to call yonr a,enon to
me relations between the manufacturer and those in
bis employ. great amount of capital has been in.
vested IN hs business, and as necessarily incidental
TO the management of associated wealth. especialIv
under corporate powers there is a tendency 10 The
exercise OF unreasonable influences over the minds
OF others. When the business Of one is made de-
pendent upon the will of another. he is in danger of
sacrificing Ills own convictions Of duty to the demands
OF him upon whom he is thus dependant. Though
am happy in the belief that there is ms great an
amount OF manly independence and stern INTEGRITY
among tho lahorers in our manufacturing establish
ments, as among any other class of our citizens vet
there IS too much TO believe tina, the power in
c!uent to tins relation has. in some cases, been mos,
signaly abused. The privilege Of the elective fran
chlse - one OF the hghes, PRIVILEGES Of the citizen