The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-12-06

hKely, be composed OF The refuse popula-
ton of other states; men, who would
have every thing to gain and nothing to
lose, who. having but little respec, for
their own private character. would be in
different to the honor and credit of the
place, selected for their residence.
The mere apprehension then Of high
taxes, and not their actual existence, con-
stitutes our only embarrassment. How
necessary, then, is it, that the whole
heighth and depth. length. breadth, and
thickness of the aPprehended evil should
be defined and settled Immediately and
that forever.
Whatever is done ought TO be in con-
formi'y TO the great principles of natural
justice. |. ought not to involve a tax
which would be oppressive. If fund
shall be established, it ough, to be so con.
s.ltuted, as to increase with the future
prosperity of the country, and although
it might be small at first, a probability
ought to appear that, within reasonable
time. 1t will increase TO such an amount.
as will answer the purpose intended; il
ought to be such a measure, as the peo-
pie will be satisfied with and cheerfulIv
submit to. 1t ought to appear, that it will
not be made political hobby hereafter.
No antagonist measure or party ought to
be arrayed against it. In a word. what
ever is done, ought to be complete and
permanent settlement Of the question
and it ought to appear that no new agi,a-
ton will grow out of il TO endanger the
measure, as the settled and permanen,
policy Of the country.
In the first place, this question can
never be settled by denying the debt. 1t
is too notorious that we have had the
money of our creditors, and they have
had nothing in return. The sense of the
universal world is, and always will be,
that we owe them. This is an imperish-
able fact, which can never be forgotten.
The question will always arise at every
succeeding session of The legislature. We
may deny the debt-we may plead non
est factum to our bonds; but like the
rogue, who seeks 10 cheat his creditor in
private life, we will still owe the money :;
the benumbng consciousness of which,
being registered on our hearts, will stick
10 us to plague us forever
The question cannot be settled by ask
ing and receiving dstribu,ive share of
the proceeds of the public lands. A fund
SO constituted will not amount to more
than 100000 dollars at first; and mus,
annually diminish as the lands are sold.
Such measure would give no confidence
that provision had been made for the nj.
innate payment of either principal or in
terest of the debt.
The question cannot'be settled by an as.
sumption of the state debts by the United
States, without doing as much injustice
TO some OF the states as would be done to
our creditors by open and avowed repu-
dialion. Several of the states have no
debt to pay. and yet their citizens, equal
~ with ours, would be taxed to pay mon
ey which they have never enjoyed or
contracted. 1t would be as honorable and
honest, to cheat our creditors out of their
interest as to wiring it from others, who
are under no obligation morally or legal.
iy to pay it. A law involving such mon
ssrous injustice can never be passed or
sanctioned by the American people.
The truth is we will have to relv on
ourselves, upon our own exer,ons. We
contracted the debt ourselves, and our
selves will have to pay it. We need look
to no foreign aid. We must make bare
our own right arms and come up to the
work, appalling as it looks, like men.
This is subject which has comman.
ded my most anxious attention. | have
looked to this session of the general as
sembly, and have fondly hoped tina, the
fears of the people, and the bligh,ing in
iuence OF an uncertain position nigh, now
be put at rest forever.
1t will be impossible 10 raise money
enough by taxation to pay the entire inter
est; still something may be done.
would not propose high nor an oppres-
slve tax. know too well the misfor-
tunes and calamilies of the people, to be-
lieve that such tax could be collected.
AT the last session an increase of taxation
was Impraclcable on account of total
want OF money in the country. The
same cause still fingers to some exten, in
some OF the interior counties. The par
tlal failure of crops for two years, the
sickness of the last season, the floods and
high waters IN some places, j, must be
acknowledged. will present obstacles a.
galhst doing as much as could be desired.
II is hoped, however, that these partial
impedlmenls may not be considered in