The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-11-08


Such persons would be certain TO be in
suited, and in great danger of being rode
on a rail out of town. After all, the sense
of honor and integrity, is as fully in the
minds of the lllinoisan, rs any other
people, if we could only get in the way
of believing it. We have some things of
which we ought to be proud. We are
new State. with character to make, and
we may choose for ourselves either n rood
or bad character. But we may be Ger
tain, that no State pride can ever exist,
where there is really nothing to be proud
of. We have To deserve the good opin.
ion of mankind and of our own, before
we can have it, And do anxously hope
to see the day when Illinois, State in
which have lived forty years of my life,
may have and deserve good old fashion
ed State pride, like some of the elder
States of The Union so that her people
may feel it; be animated BY it, to i'm
provemcnt and noble enterprise; and
may be solaced by it, both at home and
abroad. am sure that Reputation can
never bring this about; but mnst drag us
down like the weight of neither mill
stone to the abyss Of self Assessment;
TO the great whirl pool Of the universal
contempt and scorn, of all right minded
and civilized people. 1t can only de-
grade us. 1t can never settle the ques-
ton of the public debt. The question
will always arise at every succeeding ses-
sion. The memory of the debt will not
be lost. We may deny it, and plead non
est iactum to our bonds; but like the
rogue who seeks to cheat his creditors in
private life, we will still owe the debt;
the damning consciousness OF which, be-
ing registered on our hearts, and in heav-
ems high chancery, will stick to US, to
plague us forever.
Such settlement, if it could be made,
would be of no use. 1t would not re.
lieve us. 1t could not restore our pros
perty. 1t would bring no accession of
wealth or numbers 10 our people from
abroad. 1t would not increas the value
OF property, or make it more saleable
and in my solemn belief it would debase
and be-litte us in our own estimation ;
make US deserving of the delestaton and
scorn Of the world, and ill our State with
the low-dregs of refuse population from
other countries; refugees from Justice,
and others, who leave their country for
their country's good.
How then, can this question be settled
| answer that there is no other way but.
to nerve our arms, and meet it like men.
II we can do but little let us do that lit
tie. ] am not now IN situation TO know
how much can be done. Of this the
Legislature will be the best judge. They
can take into consideration, the various
calamities of which you speak in your
letter. | acknowledge that the partial
failure of crops for two seasons; the dos-
truction of property, by high waters and
the general sickness, which l hear of in
many parts of the country, will present
obstacles. in the way of doing as much as
could be wished. These however are ca
lamlies which most probably will not be
repeated next year. We may without
extravaganza, indulge rational hope,
that the crops may not fail third time in
succession; that such, general sickness
may not be repeated, and that the wide
wasting waters may not destroy in anoth-
er season. think we may indulge a
well founded hope, that none Of those OBJ
stacles will exist this time next year. II
the taxes should be increased, it could be
done prospeciively, only. They would
not be required to De collected until the
latter end of the year 1915; at which
time. successful cultivation and restored
health will have breatheG a new ability
into the people. However, of this the
Legislature must be the Judge; and these
hints are thrown out, only for the pur
pose of eliciting enquiry, that the full
views Of the whole people may be known
this winter.
These causes may postpone the evi
day. In the mean time, we will have t'
battle along subject TO the same odiou
imputalions from abroad; and under tn,
inconvenience and endorsements which
have heretofore annoyed us.
1t seems To me that This policy shoul'
not be deemed utterly inadmissible, o,
the ground of public and private distres
and inability 10 settle now and forever
the full length and breadth, of what W
will ever do, in paying interest on GU
, public debt; what is done need not b
r oppressive. The provision ought not
/. involve high taxation. We ought not
r drive our own people away ilom us, I
nscnnn nxnrhllanl hurlens. Ihe rCYcnu