Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-08-15
From he National IateHigeuesr.
THE TRUE ISSUE.

There are few all-imporiant consId.
erations that enter into the pending Presi.
Dental Election, upon which manly the
issue should be tried.
1t is the game ola certain class Of poll
licians to lead off the multitude from these
considerations OF the first magnitude, by
making new and irrelevant issues and
Investing them with the consequence of
frs; principles.
These political traders dread truth as
they fear defeat, and therefore, with all
the tact of old gadistors, they eyade
the weapon they dare not encounter, and
deal their blows in every other direction,
with sort Of desperate hope Of making a
hit somewhere. To guard against the
fearful consequences Of their triumph, it
becomes the imperative duty of those
who regard more the permanent glory
and prosperity of the county than the
less noble triumphs of mere party, to
bring our adversaries back TO the true
issue, and hold them 10 1T.
( Now to the facts, attested by history.
Be il remembered, that, in 1S4l, when
General HARRISON came into Office, he
found The country, throughout its length
and breadth, overwhelmed with embar.
rassment. The Treasury was empty ;
public credit was totally destroyed: phi
vate credit had to an alarming extent
shared the same fate; enterprise OF every
description was paralyzed; labor sought
in vain for employment: oil the streams
of national prosperity were dried up. In
a word, .he country was bankrupt.
Be it remembered, that all these evils
wore the result Of the ooasted measures
Of the Locofoco party-measures that
were zealouslv resisted by the Wing par
ty, by whom the consequences TO which
they ultimately led were foretold with
I prophetic truth.
Be it remembered, that the same party
D that bankrupted the county is now in the
: field, organized, and striving with despe-
ration to regain the power which il lost
by the election of 1910; and that, in the
event of its success, this party is pledged
to restore the same measures that dis,in-
e guished its rule when in power; that is
# 10 say, the sub. Treasury, death to all
+. banks, hard money, and tariff upon
d what are called "lreeirade" principles.
S Be it remembered, that the Presidential
candidate of this party is an avowed and
o recorded enemy of the Tariff of 1912,
e and the advocate of horizontal tariff oil
twenty per centum on the value Of for
eign imports, which the best informed
| men believe would be fatal to the manu-.
l featuring interest, highly prejudicial to
}, the interests of agriculture and commerce,
e ruinous TO The public revenue, and sub
r verslve OF all hope of the discharge OF the
/. public debt, unless by the imposition Of
: direct taxes on the people-a policy
r which is indeed known te be openly ad-
J, vocated by some members Of the party.
Be it remembered, that the first great
!. measure that checked the general embar-
. easements Of the country was the repeal,
t by the vote ofthe Wing party, of the obi
Gus and destructive SUBJ Treasury; and
that to lie same party belongs the merit
Of the present Tariff law, which has done
more than every thing else to raise up
: our country from the depression caused
by long years of suffering, and to ditiuse
comparative health and gladness and
prosperity over The whole land.
Be it remembered, that this salutary
measure has not only restored TO health
full action all the great interests of the
country, but has replenlshed an exhaust
ed Treasury and yielded millions OF mo-.
ney to be applied to the liquidation Of the
public debt.
Be it remembered, that these great ben.
efils are results of the Tariff, within the
short space of eighteen months: and # is
the confident anticipation Of business men
aud statesmen that this is but the precur.
sor Of still brighter days, should this mea
sure remain undisturbed few years Ion.
ger.
1t is therefore for the People now to
choose between the measures Of the par
ty that ruined the country and the mea-
sures of the party that has saued the coun-
try; between measures that are directed
exclusively to the public good, and mea.
sures that are suggested by party motives,
and intended, primarily at least, for party
purposes.
This retrospect, with its impressive ad-
monltions connected as it is with The fu-
ture by the operation of cause and effect,
suggests this Obvious reflection Will the
PEOPLE, to whom belongs all the power,
and upon whom will rest, for veal or for
wo, all the consequences resulting from
the administration of the Government
will they stand forth, unainching supper
tiers Of the men and the measures that
give honor and strength and prosperity to
the nation; or will they, in an ignoble
spirit of vasSalage return 10 old task mas
ters, and invite another blight 10 desoiate
our land and mpoyerish and dishonor our
rich inheritance?
This, when stripped of the DISCUSSES
that cunning has thrown over it 10 cheat
+ a confdiug People, is tn G true issue now
to be tired.