Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-05-27
Number 81.

moment, successful effort was made IN
both Houses of Congress 10 create SIM
lar institution, should neyertheles So luIl his
caution TO sleep with the delusive idea that
the project will ever be ablnioncd.--
Most assuredly nothing but the stern sig-
lance of the Democracy win guard it a.
gainst an institution, which NAV thus be
prosttuted to the ruin of individuals, the
disgrace of the country, and which, while
so limited in its power to do good, isso
p ,tent for the Preparation Of evil. -
The tenacity with which our opponents
adhere to the distribution OF the proceeds
Of the public lands among the States, in
the present condition ofthe treasury, Is
political anomaly, which it is nota little
difficult to explain, or to reconcile, with
fair understanding Of, oe a proper regard
for, the true interests Of the country. 1t
any apology for it can be made, It is to be
traced to that unwIlingness to abandon, in
the face of their opponents, position
which has been assumed with confidence,
and supported with earnestness--al indis-
position from which but few political asso-
ciates are altog ether exempt. Whatever
may have been expected from this meas
ure by its authors, or however plauslbly
deceptive ITS theory may have been at a
period when the country was threatened
with the evils incident to an oserfiowing
treasury, subsequent experience in regard
to the working Of our political and finan-
cial systems, ought long since to have sat
isfied every rejecting mind, as well Of its
utter inuility as a means Of relief to the
States, as of its destructive tendency to the
stability and welfare of the Union. As
the matter now stands, and has for years
stood, it presents IN the former aspect, the
simple question, whether the people Of the
States can possibly be benefited by ro-
ceiving into the State Treasury a certain
sum OF money annually, TO be Immediately
re.collected from themselves in The shape
OF taxes upon what they eat, drink, and
wear, with the addition ofthe expenses Of
collection. Every attempt to give the
measure any other tenable aspect, has
proved utterly unayailing. 1t is certainly
paying but poor compliment 10 the Ca
pacity Of the people, to suppose tor no.
ment tina, they could be brought, by any
pre,ext, however plausible, to stutify
themselves so far as to adopt proposition
so prep,sterous. Can any intelligent
mini hesitate in giving toitn prompt neg
alive? And can any patriotic one fail II
regret that the character OF our people,
for intelligence and sagaeiiy. in the esfi-
ma,ion OF MANKIND, should be exposed to
hazard by the grave and continued agita-
ton Of such a question before them?
It can, after this, and after what have
heretofore said upon the subject, be scarce
ly necessary to repeat, that am opposed
to the distribution of the proceeds OF tho
public lands, among the States. The best
evidence | can give you Of my presen,
opinion, in regard 10 the proper disposition
OF the public lands, is to refer you TO those
which we're avowed and acted upon by me
whilst in office, aud which were very fully
stated in my first annual message to Con.
giess, in December, 1887.
NV views in relation 10 the Protective
System, were also called for by the Shoco
Springs meeting, in 1882, and freely given.
A convict ion that the establishment OF com.
mercial regulations with view TO the en-.
enlargement of domestic interests, is with.
in the constitutional power OF Congress,
was on that occasion distinctly avowei.-
But holding this opinion, at the same time,
denied the propriely of exercising this
power in a manner calculated to Cypress
any portion Of my citizens, or 10
advance the interests vi one section of the
Union at the expense of another. !, on
the contrary, affirmed It to be the duty of
those wh1 are in,rusted with administration
of the Federal Government, to direct its
operations in the manner best calculated
to distribute as equally as possible lis bur.
dens and blessings among the several
States, and the people thereof. In add.
ton to the declaration of these general
views, suggested more specific rules for
the action OF the Government in this parti.
cular, by the observance of which / be.
lleved those views wouIt he most likely 10
be carried into fair eject.
More than ten ysars have elapsed since
that communication was made; and during
that entire period, the people Of the Uni
ed Stetes have paid large amounts of du-
ties avawedy imposed FIR the encourage
rneat and protection OF domestic manu-
features, with gradual reductions accord.
ing the provisions of the compromise &C,
o. 1888. Tne unbiased sentiment of the
country, in respect 10 wha, is under such
circumstances the proper rule for lec;s,a,
tive action upon this subject, has, | think
by the course of events aud the procres,
OF opinion, has brought to the conclusion
briefly expressed in one OF the olution