New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-02-25
Reputation.

Mechanics Institute, but II Is cro"aeo oul. ~
will appear on Monday
Reputation.
Senator DAYTON few days since, made very
able speech upon the subject Of our National credit
In which he abored 10 stem that current or rather
torrent, Of public opinion which both at home ana
abroad stamps us as a nation OF cheats and s"ino.
lers-which holds up to our view the oonds OF
sovereign States broken and condemned with the
bold front of hardened robbers, and refuses US
loan upon the express ground that our promise 10
nav is deemed worthless. He succeeded very
WELL in clearly showing that England is not
,he nation that should reproach therefor for he
pointed to periods in her history at which she has
been guilty of reputation more wholesale and
sweeping than that with which she now charges
us-to the stoppage in the reign OF Charles II. o.
the payment of nearly million and halt sterling
for the space of twenty-five years, and in 1911 to
rhe canceling of immense sums and loans dye to
.aonestic creditors But the same British histor-
,n who nerpetuates the memory of the act, per-
,e.uates likewise its infamy for in the same SEN
fence which records it he denounces 1t as an
open violation of the most solemn engagements
But that England has plundered and robbed her
creditors is surely no reason why we should 40
the same with ours; nor should we be a: all sur
pr;oed that she is the first to invoke the justice OF
na,ions against us for it, The spirit of the old
proyerb for such Gases made and provided, should
lead US TO expect it; for robber always shouts
thief loudest, and is foremost in the chase
But we protest against the slightest attempt TO
;ustify the conduct of our swindling States by the
example of Great Britain. We protest agains,
elipd;pe the eyes of our people who are recreant
no their duty 10 the enormity OF their breach oil
faith BY showiag precedent for it in other lands
The question for us is not whether other nations
nay their debts or not, but whether WE shall pay
osrs. Shall we abide by contracts into which we
have, solemnly entered, or threw them on and
chen haar through history for examples to white
vaash our iniaaity? Shall we discharge Our coll
pations-bindlng apuu Us by every confederation
of morality aud of lsw~-oblgations which every
citizen should deem of as solemn force as if given
s.rder his own hand and seai-shall we thus pay
TO others the money they have loaned 10 u.s. OF
east thesu off penniless and hopeless and then
seek refuge Goln conscience and the detestation OF
honorable men by proving that we are not alone IN
this game of viany
The honor and credit Of the nation cannot be-
v;ulicated by solemn resolutions Of Congress, nor
evil; unanimous vote of both Houses, that they
are untssuished and uninjured, make them SO. SO
Dong as we shsuelssy swindle those who have be-
friended us out of she loans they made. Calling
as it is to the national pride, and humating as IS
the confession the feet is beyond dispute that the
american hsnor is not unsteined American ia''h
So not unsuspected. We may censure the eres'-
dent as we please for proclaiming to the %orio
shat foreigners will not trust but the proPriety
of his doing SO ID not the first point which should
engage our thoughts Have they reason to distr"st
us, is the question that most nearly concerns our
people. And if they have, the hrst ono sole I'M
nulse of the nation should be to wipe away the
stain,-to sndcate our honor by our acts,-~to pay
our debts and thus take away the ground OF their
reproach.
No man can deny that some of the sovereign
States Of this great confederacy, bound to the on'
ion by the strongest and closest ties tia. can ani'e
chem, their prosperity, their security 'sier .ionor
Ginked to these of the Republic by the bonds OF the
Constitution. which cannot be dissolved while the
Republic exists, have openly and basely violated
their high engagements That tAis stains the
honor of the American Republic every member OF
chat republic feels; and every hour spent IN Ell,
deavoriag to ahuffle off the calling sense OF base
wrong, an outrageous robbery deliberately com
raitted, adds to guilt by persis,'ng in IT. Most
s.-no.,1v do wa trust ,he day is not far distant
when the effort will be made to wipe away the foul
disgrace instead of covering it oves with glozlng
lies.
TIE GERRYMaNpER.-The project OF gerry
h..4 ho MO-